INDIA – INDE
Amir Khan – Memorable Evenings with Ustad Amir Khan Saheb – HMV – STC 04B 7371 to 7374 (4 Cassettes)
The unrivalled and highly influential 20th century Hindustani classical Khyal vocalist Amir Khan (1912-1974), was born in Kalanaur, Punjab State. After first studying the bowed sarangi under the tutelage of his father Shahmir Khan, Amir embraced singing, and later founded the Indore Gharana school based on the styles of three towering vocalists, namely Abdul Wahid Khan (1871–1949), Rajab Ali Khan (1874–1959) and Aman Ali Khan (1888–1953).
Author Susheela Misra (1920-1998) wrote, “His music combined the massive dignity of Dhrupad with the ornate vividness of Khayal. (…) What set him apart from his contemporary artistes was the fact that he never made any concessions to popular tastes, but always stuck to his pure, almost puritanical, highbrow style.”*
According to musicologist Deepak Raja, “Ustad Amir Khan was easily the single most influential Hindustani vocalist of the 20th century. His music deeply influenced his contemporaries and (…) continues to shape the dominant tendencies in vocalism, as well as instrumental music…he set standards of musicianship that have yet to be bettered.”**
I first heard these recordings some 20 years ago, and they were a true revelation. The level of inspiration and the amazing sound texture flowing throughout these four cassettes offer a remarkable showcase of Khan’s deep, mellow baritone voice that effortlessly expressed intensity, sensuality, creativity, dignity and glowing majesty. This is music of the highest order.
Amir Khan (1912-1974), né à Kalanaur, dans l'État du Pendjab, fut un chanteur Khyal classique Hindustani sans pareil et extrêmement influent. Après avoir étudié la vièle à archet sarangi sous la tutelle de son père Shahmir Khan, il se dévoue au chant et fondera par la suite l'école Indore Gharana qui synthétisa les styles de trois chanteurs majeurs d'antan : Abdul Wahid Khan (1871-1949), Rajab Ali Khan (1874-1959) et Aman Ali Khan (1888-1953).
L'auteur Susheela Misra (1920-1998) affirma : « Sa musique combine la grande dignité du Dhrupad avec la vivacité ornementale du Khayal. (…) Il se distingua des artistes de son époque en refusant de faire des concessions pour s’adapter aux goûts du jour du public et en restant fidèle à la pureté de style, empreint d’érudition, voir même d’une certaine austérité ».*
Selon le musicologue Deepak Raja, « Ustad Amir Khan était de loin le chanteur Hindustani le plus influent du XXe siècle. Sa musique a profondément influencé ses contemporains et (…) continue de façonner les tendances dominantes non seulement du chant classique, mais également de la musique instrumentale ».**
Ces enregistrements, que j'ai découverts il y a une vingtaine d'années, furent une véritable révélation. Le niveau d'inspiration remarquable et la riche texture sonore qui imprègnent ces quatre cassettes illustrent avec brio sa voix de baryton fluide et suave qui exprimait l'intensité, la sensualité, la créativité, et la dignité avec une majesté éclatante.
A1 – Raga Bairagi – Mansumarat Nis Din Tumharo Naam
A2 – Raga Charukeshi – Laaj Rakho Tum Mori Gusaiyan
B1 – Raga Puriya – Chin Chin Baat Takat Hun Tori
B2 – Raga Madhu Kauns – Bairanbhai Rain
C – Raga Shuddha Kalyan – Khayal Vilambit In Jhumra Taal Tarana In Teentaal
D – Raga Bageshri Khayal – Vilambit In Jhumra Taal
E – Raga Miyan Malhar – Karim Naam Tero
F – Raga Miyan Malhar – Barasan Lagi Re Badariya
G – Raga Jog Khayal Vilambit In Roopak Taal Khayal Drut In Teental
H – Raga Darbari Khayal Vilambit In Jhaptaal Khayal Drut In Teental
*Susheela Misra’s Great Masters of Hindustani Music (1981).
** http://swaratala.blogspot.com/2011/08/ustad-ameer-khan-1912-1974.html
Download:
My other Hindustani Khayal male vocal posts:
Amir Khan – HMV – EASD 1331 here
Amir Khan – Rare Creations of Ustad Amir Khan – Inreco here
Faiyaz Khan – HMV – EALP 1292 here
Faiyaz Khan – Hindusthan Record – LH 5 here
Bade Ghulam Ali Khan – Padma Bhooshan – Odeon MOAE 5004 here
Bhimsen Joshi – HMV – 7 EPE 1246 here
Bhimsen Joshi – HMV – ECLP 2264 here
Nazakat & Salamat Ali Khan – HMV – 7 EPE 1356 here
Salamat and Nazakat Ali Khan – HNBL 1332 here
D. V. Paluskar – HMV – EALP 1295 here
Mallikarjun Mansur – Sings Rare and Complex Ragas – Inreco here
Kumar Gandharva – Hindustani Classical – HMV – ECLP 2360 here
Omkarnath Thakur – SEDE 3302 COLUMBIA here
The Emperor Bahadur Shah (reigned 1707-1712) mounted on an elephant, late 17th century (Wikipedia Commons):
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