I just wanted to be myself: Arif Khan

The influence of Farukkabad Gharana is moreprominent since the gharana of my maternal side is a title gharana. However,what helps me is the understanding of the gayaki ang. The concept of vocal musicis very subtle and one has to understand the nuances well.I have performed with the likes of Paul Prince, Michael Harrison, Louiz Bank, Taufiq Qureshi and many others. The experience is amazing and it involves learning and understanding of common ground. However, fusion music has become more of confusion these days. A common theme should come out of any kind of collaboration so that purity of each genre is maintained. I am part of the music direction for the Tollywood film, ChupiChupi Manchali. I am also working with Pradyumna Singh Manot, who is trying tomix Indian classical music with jazz.I just wanted to be myself. Thankfully, it has tagged me asfashionable. I have done few modelling assignments for my friends. So, I had aclear concept of fashion. However, whatever I wear, it is not intended to make afashion statement of any kind. I am madly in love with classicalmusic. However, I also love to listen to electronica, house and jazz. I am veryopen and listen to all kinds of music.I don’t think so.Rather, there is a lot of young talent which is drawing youngsters to Indianclassical music. Ayaan (Ali Khan) and Amaan (Ali Khan), Rahul (Sharma), Niladri(Kumar) — they are all doing great work. Rahulda is a class apart and Imust mention Purbayanda (Chatterjee) as well. Jaswant Vaishnav, a promisingyoungster, is doing great work. Kolkata is spoilt for choice as far as classical music is concerned. My father, Ustad Sabir Khan, says that this is the supreme court of classical music. Playing in the city gives a stamp to musicians since listeners here are musically sound. Both the audience and the artistes here are true connoisseurs of music. I am happily married to my tabla. I can play itas much as I want to and it never demands anything. It does not require anymake-up and is happy with talcum powder only. So, you see, I am not interestedin anything else right now. I am trying to follow my grandfather’sfootsteps and create a name for myself in the world of classical music.