SUFI STRAINS: Hans Raj Hans addresses the media in Patna on Saturday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, July 30: Popular singer Hans Raj Hans has a message for budding Sufi artistes — it’s not possible to achieve instant fame in Sufi music, one can only excel after hard work and dedication.

The Sufi singer, who performed at Rabindra Bhavan today in the presence of chief minister Nitish Kumar, spoke to The Telegraph about his love for the devotional music.

He said: “I am very happy that Sufi singing is becoming popular with masses and people are accepting it with open heart and mind. My only concern is that Sufi music shall not be taken away from tradition. Sufi songs are far from fanaticism. Sufism only teaches love, affection and respect. Any Sufi singer must feel his God while singing the songs. I have been performing all over the world, including the USA, Canada, America, London and West Asian countries, but the exposure has not changed me as a Sufi singer. I am is still a down-to-earth person who just wants to carve a niche in Sufi music.”

Hans Raj Hans has been singing Sufi song since the age of five. Ustad Puran Shahkoti Sahib trained him in Sufi singing.

“Despite not belonging to a family with a music background, I always had the desire to sing Sufi and devotional songs and I learnt it by listening to them in a dargah at my village in Jalandhar. In the same way, I want today’s young generation to learn Sufi singing. The road to Sufiana is tough, most of today’s musicians and singers want to become stars overnight but it’s not possible to achieve instant fame in Sufi music. It takes time to become famous. As far as sufi music is concerned, it’s really tough to learn,” added Hans Raj Hans.

Hans Raj Hans began his Bollywood journey under greatest Sufi genius Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in Kachche Dhaage in 1999.

Later he sang for Bicchoo, Jodi No 1, Nayak and the latest Patiala House. “I still feel that Nusrat Saheb is the greatest Sufi singer ever and nobody can surpass him. Whenever I met him during concerts, he always gave me lot of tips regarding Sufi singing.”

Asking about any plan of acting in movies, the singer said: “I have worked in plenty of Punjabi movies as lead actor but now I don’t feel like acting any more. I just want to focus on my Punjabi and Sufi singing. But yes my two sons are acting — one in Punjabi film and the other one in a Hindi film. At present, singing is my only motive and I want to give the message of peace through my singing.”

On following for Sufi music, he said: “As far as future of Sufi singing is concerned, it will always remain the most respected form of music and I hope the passion for Sufi music will only grow among people of Patna.”

Hans Raj Hans also tried his luck in politics and contested from Jalandhar constituency in 2009 parliamentary elections on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He, however, lost the polls. “I was offered ticket by SAD but when I ventured into the field of politics but soon realised it was not made for me. Politics is dirty, it only teaches hatred, casteism. At that time only I decided I will never enter politics again and will stick to singing,” said the artiste.

When asked about Bihar politics the singer refused to make a comment saying he did not have much knowledge about politics in this part of the country. “I really don’t know what kind of politics exists in Bihar. It’s my first visit to the state so it would not be correct to make any comment on any politician.”

His show was organised by Bihar Sangeet Natak Academy which comes under art, culture and youth affairs department.