Khan performed raag Sazgiri on Saptak Day 9. Etwah gharana Sitarist Nishat Khan, son of surbahar player Imrat Khan and heir to a seven generation musical legacy, performed at on-going 13 day music festival Saptak on Day 9. With rendition of Puria and Marwa, he also played special item for the city that is raag Sazgiri – an uncommon melody.
“This city and this festival has seen and appreciated my graduation as an artist,” said Khan. Every time Khan has come to perform in Ahmedabad he has presented something new that he has not played here before.
Recalling his special moments, Khan said, “This time as the festival is dedicated to Pt Ravi Shankarji, in front of whom I first played raag Puriya while he attended my performance at Royal Festival Hall, London in 1977. This was my first concert in Europe in which my father introduced me as an artist. And I have not played Marwa and Puriya in city ever before. So these melodies are my special dedication to city, Saptak and Panditji.”
Khan also rendered unique raag Sazgiri due to public demand. Last time three years ago, when he performed at Saptak he had played this uncommon melody as his fresh offering to the city. Khan is known for creating fresh music and has performed with musicians of the genres jazz, flamenco and Western classical music. Recipient of US Congressional award for his contribution to music and culture, Khan is professor of sitar at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
