Zila Khan, a rising star in the world of Sufi music is the daughter of pre-eminent sitar maestro Vilayat Khan.  She is a singer from the Imdad Khani Gharana. She is the seventh generation of an unbroken line in what is the oldest school or Gharana in India and the first woman performer from the family. While she received her musical training from her father, she was equally influenced by the legacy of her paternal great grandfather Ustad Bande Hussain. She has three albums titled ‘Zila’ , ‘Ishq Ki Nayee Bahar’ and ‘Secrets of the Divine’ which have received rave reviews.  She has sung for films and her song ‘Kesaria’ sung for the film “99.9FM” is an example of a superb rendition in the folk genre done with the grace of a classicist.Her video albums have topped the charts in India and the Gulf.  She has received several awards for her work including “Taan Samrat Award” and “Ghazal Vidushi”. Charity work is also a great passion for her and she works with many NGOs and does a lot of fund raising activity for them.

You were boen in one of the pre-eminent musical families. Did your family expect you to pursue a career in music?

It was quite the opposite. Caree in music was never considered an option for me.  In traditional musical families, only the men were taught music and allowed to perform on stage.  I was very interested in music from a very young age. I was  blessed with a good voice. I was extremely passionate about music and I was really thirsty for knowledge. My father took notice of this and decided to teach me. This was a very radical move for him.  I had a great intellectual curiosity and I would question him on the many details of both music and words. Father was a scholar of Urdu, Sanskrit, Arabic and other languages  along with being a musician par excellentce and hence he had a clear answer for everything. 

As I was learning music it was never as training for performance. I never imagined that I would perform on stage.  My training was in some sense informal. My father did the “Ganda” Bhandan ceremony, a ceremony that is the formally acceptance of a student by a teacher, six days after my marriage.  In fact at that ceremony Yamini Krishnamurthy jokingly remarked that my father seemed to want to stake his claim on me.

Later you did take up music as a career. What motivated you to do so?

For me, music was always my offering to God. I never felt the need to perform for an audience.  It took a great deal of persuasion from my husband Dr. Khalid Anwar Sheik, and father to take up a career as a performing artist. After the birth of my son, motherhood kept me quite busy. When my son turned fifteen, I felt that I would now have the time to devote to this career. My father and my husband felt the time was right and that I should really embark upon this caree.  I have really enjoyed being a performing artis.l.

What is the difference between singing for oneself and singing for an audience?

I never sing for myself, it is only for God. When I perform for an audience not only I but the entire audience is able to feel the Divine energy.  The performer and the audience connect and we become passengers on this train that goes with high energy towards the Lord. That is an absolutely wonderful feeling.

Why did you choose to be a Sufi musician?

I chose this genre because it focuses on connection with the Divine, peace and understanding.  Sufism is about understanding the other person’s point of view. Music is nothing but expression of love for all, a Love that is created by the Lord.  Music allows us to appreciate this wonderful world that is created by God and make a direct connection with the Divine.   Bhakti Bhava is central to Sufi music. In Sufi music we are allowed to use eight of the nine Rasas. Bhibatsya (disgust) is not allowed.  But in all the Rasas there is still the element of Bhakti. Shringara is laced with Shringara Bhakti.

You have seen a change in women's roles and expectation with your own family. What do you perceive a womans role and responsibility is in the socitety today?

This era certainly belongs to us women. Woman have the freedom to do great things and they should make use of it. But we should not get carried away with our freedom. Freedom does not mean uneccesary exposure. We should not direspect our body or mind. We should not abuse our bodies with drugs or alcohol. Nor should we let others abuse us. 

You come from a great lineage and you have accomplished a lot. What is your hope for the  future?

I am most thankful to God for the life He has given me.  Human being is the highest species, higher than angels because we are made to unconditionally worship Him. As humans we also do have choice. We have to choose to worship Him.  The world that the Lord has given for us is beautiful. We should enjoy it.  We should focus on Halal and make our enjoyment in a pure manner and stay away from Haram (impure). I look forward to the enjoyment of the rest of the moments in my life whatever they may choose to bring. I hope I can continue to be a good mother, good wife and a good citizen.

You have engaged in a lot of charity work as well. Could you tell us a little about that? 

For me Zakat – or charity is critical. We must help the needy. I am associated with several NGOs. I have worked on several fundraising initiatives and I hope God allows me to do more. Cansupport, an organization that supports Cancer victims is one that I work a lot with.

I am willing to give my time and support  to any organization that is working
to help the needy. 

Thank you for your time

Thank you

|