Category Archives: Interviews

When we entered the shop of Ziauddin, the 75-year-old Pride of Performance winning sitar-maker was working on a sarod’s wooden frame in deep concentration. He looked up to welcome us, and putting his tools away, sat down for an interview. From time to time his eyes wandered to the instruments hanging on the walls, theContinue reading “The Circle Unbroken”

Hassan Ali is a middle-aged musician who plays the harmonium and the bansuri (flute). His grandfather, the sarangi virtuoso Ustad Nathu Khan, taught the famed singer Farida Khanum. Though his main instrument of choice is the harmonium, Mr.Ali learnt the flute later on and enjoys its intrinsic beauty. He started playing music when he was around thirteenContinue reading “The Forgotten Flute”

Sahawat Ali, a seasoned musician, has spent much of his life on the harmonium. Playing the harmonium has been his passion, skill and the only way to earn a living. But nowadays, more than ever before, he needs these skills to survive in times when Pakistan is under a Western musical invasion. He now spendsContinue reading “The Harmonium’s Voice”

Tanveer Hussain, better known as Khan Sahib, is one of the few remaining classical musicians in Lahore.  His family has been playing classical music for seven generations.  Khan Sahib used to sing, play the tabla and harmonium and compose music.  In his youth, he has played with famous classical musicians such as Noor Jehan, MalaContinue reading “Broken Strings”