Rashid Khan rehearses before a show in Ranchi. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, June 1: Most know him as a singer who sang in the film Jab We Met. Only people interested in classical music know him as a renowned vocalist, who kept the tradition of Rampur-Sahaswan gharana alive.

Ustad Rashid Khan was in the state capital to conduct a workshop of classical music organised by a local organi- sation, Gharowa, which concluded today. Khan was modest when reminded that people say that no one can render khayal as his teachers, Ustad Enayat Hussain and Ustad Nissar Hussain in a better way than him.

“I consider myself lucky enough to have enjoyed company, encouragement and of course, affection of these great exponents of music,” he said, in an informal chat with The Telegraph at a city hotel.

He cherishes an endless memory of great musicians whom he met at different places on various occasions. When he appeared for the first time in a big concert in Calcutta, he was just an 11-year old and was to be followed on stage by none other than Pandit Ravi Shankar.

“Yes, I was a bit shaky, but the thought of of performing with Panditji boosted my confidence,” he said, fondly remembering the incident.

Similarly, he could recall his meeting with Bhimsen Joshi, Vilayat Khan, Ali Akbar Khan or Kishan Maharaj at many such concerts across the country or abroad.

He reiterated that there is no alternative to riyaz (practice) in career in music. The more one practices, the more one perfects oneself.

If one learns classical music and develops a strong base he can sing any type of songs, he said, adding: “I never had any problem in singing with other singers, be it Louiz Banks or Abhijeet or Shaan.”

After setting up a trust in memory of his late mother, Shakri Begum, in Calcutta, he launched a music academy, where he has been imparting training in music for the last eight years.

Approached by the Tripura government, Rashid also helped in building another academy at Agartala that would start operations by early next year.

Asked whether or not he has any plans of doing the same in Jharkhand, he replied: “Sure I can set up a music academy here, but the state government has to come forward with a proposal for that.”