Karachi-based classical singer Ustad Naseeruddin Saami. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, May 24: Karachi-based classical singer Ustad Naseeruddin Saami believes that good music can inspire the soul and unite people across boundaries.

Saami, who will perform during the Spicmacay convention at Ravenshaw University, spoke on the developments and changes in the taste of young music lovers.

“As an artist, I always try to establish a bond with my listeners. Unless a listener understands Indian classical music and the essence of a song, he or she would not be able to enjoy the music that is sung from the heart,” said Saami.

This is for the first time that the singer from Pakistan, who has his own unique style of reciting, would be performing in Orissa.

A Hindustani vocalist, Saami belongs to the Delhi gharana (school) and was trained by Munsi Raziuddin and descendants of Tan Ras Khan, who is better known as the music teacher of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor of India.

“There is absolutely no difference in the food, music and culture between India and Pakistan. However, there is a better platform and culture of music in India than in Pakistan. But things are getting better there (Pakistan) as the younger generation is increasingly getting inclined towards classical music,” Saami said.

According to him, there has been a sea change in the composition of music and taste of music lovers, who seem more inclined towards “noisy, western music”.

“A raga demands proper sur (elongated melody of notes with microtones). Earlier, singers used to do riyaaz (practice) for hours together to strike the right chord, which was the greatest and most indispensable demand of all gurus. But these days, a shagird (disciple) wants to rise to fame instantly,” the singer said.

Recalling the past, he said that there were a number of good listeners for classical music in Pakistan. But because of lack of scope and encouragement, things started to fall apart. However, he expressed confidence that things are taking a positive turn with more and more youngsters coming forward to learn classical music.

He added the younger generation must give stress on the right alaap, the most essential quality of a good singer.

He said efforts should be initiated to promote peace between the two countries through right kind of music, which relaxes the soul. “There are a lot of good singers of Indian classical music, which still has a huge fan following in both the countries. Everybody wants to listen to good music, and this could be used as a medium to connect the people of India and Pakistan,” he said.