Jaipur: On the serene evening of Kartik Panchami, under a radiant full moon and amid gentle autumn breezes, the Rajasthan International Centre resonated with the sublime strains of Raga Shuddha Kalyan flowing from the sitar of Ustad Shujaat Khan.
Part of the "Music in the Park – Anhad Series", this free concert brought a deeply spiritual and soul-stirring musical experience to the audience. As Ustad Shujaat Khan wove the melodic tapestry of this raga, based on the Kalyan thaat, it felt as if even the moon swayed in rhythm with the music.
With his signature gayaki ang (vocal-style) of playing, Ustad Khan infused the traditional composition with a unique blend of serenity and brilliance—evoking the pure simplicity of Bhoopali in the ascent (aaroh) and the radiant grace of Kalyan in the descent (avroh). At times humming softly, and at others elaborating with meend (glides) and jamavat (development), he brought out an emotional depth in every note, making each one shimmer with spiritual light.
Following the raga, he performed several captivating pieces, blending his soulful voice with intricate sitar phrasing. His seamless interplay of vocal and instrumental elements created a deeply immersive musical moment—where melody, emotion, and expression became one.
Accompanying him were two talented tabla players and a dholak artist, whose rhythmic finesse added a magical dimension to the evening. The dialogue between the sitar’s strings and the tabla’s beats felt like an intimate and unforgettable conversation—subtle, heartfelt, and timeless.
It was an evening where music transcended performance and became pure experience—a divine confluence of nature, sound, and soul.