NISHAT KHAN
Heart of Fire

NRCD 209

760452022097
Navras
India

 

Heart of Fire describes the intensity of my interpretation of these three entities, evening ragas. One which is fast-paced, in pursuit of love. The second describes being in love and the longing for one's beloved, and the third, an infatuation. These are the emotions one experiences in the journey of romance. (Ustad Nishat Khan).
Ustad Nishat Khan comes from a family synonymous with the sitar, and one which also boasts mastery over other plucked stringed instruments of northern India. Nishat s grandfather, Ustad Inayat Khan, was a famous court musician. His uncle was the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan, the greatest sitar player of his age, adding to the incomparable legacy of his family. Ustad Imrat Khan.

While proudly representing a superlative family tradition and closely adhering to it, as in this recital, Nishat has pushed the boundaries of his art in exciting ways. He has combined his Indian art with Gregorian chant, abstract jazz, and Flamenco, and this experimental side has led to collaborations with some of the world's leading musicians, including John McLaughlin, Paco Peña, Evelyn Glennie and Philip Glass. Among his honours is a 2005 Congressional award from the US Congress for contributions to music and culture.

In this album he begins with a recital of Raga Desh a popular night-time raga. This is followed by the more melodic and even more popular light classical raga Pilu. The final piece is a Maand, which again is a much lighter melody with a Rajasthani flavour.

Nishat Khan performs with Shabaz Hussain Khan on Tabla