Times Nagpur Festival in full swing

All set to perform today at the Times Nagpur Festival, Munawwar Masoom and Farid Sabri speak to TOI about fests, youth and revival of qawwali...
‘Wali bahut hein magar aap Taj wale hein!’
When he's hitting the highest swaras, singing a Sufiyana qawwali, with his eyes closed, taking the musical rendition to a spiritual high, the listeners feel in sync with the Divine Power.But then, for Munawwar Masoom, the gifted qawwali exponent of Mewati gharana, singing is all about invoking the Supreme Power. As the qawwal is all set to take the Nagpurians on a guided tour to spiritual terrains at the Tirpude College Grounds, he speaks to TOI about his love for Tajuddin Baba, Indian hospitality and more...
Khaas Rishta!
He gets emotional speaking about his special connect with Nagpur. "Nagpur se mera khaas rishta Tajuddin Baba ki wajah se hai. And this time too, I'll go to Baba's dargah at the first given opportunity," says he, adding, "years ago, when I was facing a low phase in life, I had appealed to baba for a reprieve, and since then, I haven't looked back in life! Hazir huyen hein jabse hum darbare Taj mein, izzat hamari hone lagi hai samaj mein! My soul sings just one song - 'Hai laaj apko, bus aap laajwale hein! Wali bahut hein magar aap Tajwale hein!"
Shukriya TOI
The singer, who recently performed at Ajmer Sharief along with some Pakistani singers, gets overwhelmed as he says: "I can't thank The Times of India enough because your newspaper gave me the chance to perform at the Ajmer Sharief as a part of Aman Ki Asha initiative, and that moment is embedded in my psyche forever!"
'Going overboard!'
Happy though he is, sharing the stage with Pakistani singers, there's a hint of sadness in his voice when he says: "I'm proud of the fact that we Indians give so much of love to Pakistani artistes, but at times it rankles when they get more importance at our cost. We go overboard with our hospitality just because we perceive that every artiste, who comes from across the border, is superior to our talent. And if we ever protest, we are tagged as jealous beings! Hazrat Ali had said, "Kaun keh raha hai yeh na dekho, kiski baat kar raha hai, yeh dekho!"
Ashikana to Sufiyana
Veer his attention towards the youngsters waking up to the charms of qawwali in the current scenario, and the singer says: "In our country, qawwali had turned Ashikana and that's why it faced tough times, whereas Nusrat Fateh Ali and Sabri Brothers of Pakistan kept the Sufi flavour alive. So, in Pakistan, qawwali thrived! But, now that in India too it's going back to Sufiyana from Ashikana, youngsters are finally discovering the beauty in this form!"
Vinita Chaturvedi
‘I’m excited to perform in front of Nagpurians’
Khushbu ko failne ka bada shauq hai magar, Mumkin nahin hawaaon se rishta kiye bagair. This is the manner in which Farid Sabri begins his interview with NT as he gets set to regale the Nagpurians at the Times Nagpur Festival. He says, "Being associated with The Times of India is such a wonderful thing to happen to us. We get to showcase our art and connect with so many people too. Till date my troupe and I have performed at so many Times festivals, and we've had a lovely time. This time it's going to be lovelier because we are coming to Nagpur after a very long time and are excited to perform here."
Festive Spirit
Farid Sabri, who has to his credit some famous film qawwalis like the ones in Heena, Sirf Tum, Pardes, Uff Ye Mohabbat, Indian Babu Desi Ma'm, Ye Dil Ashiqana, Parwana, Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega, says, "Festivals have given this genre good publicity, and I am glad that Nagpurians will get to hear our qawwalis live."
The namesake
As he is on the topic of qawwalis, ask him about sharing his name with the famous qawwals of Pakistan, and he says, "Those Sabri Brothers were very senior and are no more. They had the real talent! We hail from the Mathura Walon Ki Haveli, in Jaipur, & music is the only profession we know!"
Reciprocal gestures
As Pakistan is drawn into the conversation, the Rahat Ali Khan episode becomes the talking point. Refusing to get into this controversy, Farid says, "I have only one complaint which is when India can welcome Pakistani artistes with such warmth, why can't Pakistan reciprocate? I've come to the conclusion that Hindustan ka dil bahut bada hai! And with a group like The Times of India to honour our talent, we are known wherever we go. Logo ne hamare fun ko nawaza hai, aur yeh hi hamare liye sabse badi baat hai."
Long-Term Success
While he speaks about his talent getting recognition, ask him about the new crop of talent that's sprouting on reality shows, and he says, "It's a good platform, but the problem is that youngsters feel they've learnt everything that they need to know about music. When they get fame, they revel in it, and when fame eludes them, they get disheartened. In fact, they should be aiming for long-term success and not short-term glory!"
Aparna Phadke