Renowned Sitar Maestro Usad Rafique Khan Hnoured by Parichaya Pamboor on Foundation Day
By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi/Pamboor, 23 Jan 2025: Parichaya, of Paboor an organisation with the objective of promoting Arts, Culture and Literature in rural areas way back in 2012 celebrated its Foundation Day as it entered the fourteenth year of its service to art, culture and literature. The programme was held in the amphitheatre situated in the premises of the home of Prakash Noronha, its Secretary on Wednesday, 22 January 2025 at 07 pm. On this occasion, the renowned Sitar Maestro Ustad Rafique Khan was honoured by Parichaya in the presence of a number of prominent personalities and art and culture lovers.
Prior to the commencement of the Foundation Day celebration, Secretary of Parichaya, Prakash Noronha recalled those artists, actors, literary personalities who had passed away during last year as the gathering paid homage to them by standing and praying in silence for a minute.
Honorary President of Parichaya Dr. Vincent Alva and President Anil D’Sa accompanied Ustad Rafique Khan to the dais. In his introductory cum welcome address Dr. Vincent Alva briefly narrated the circumstances that led to the foundation of Parichaya thirteen years ago and its journey towards promoting arts, culture and literature in rural areas, especially in Pamboor and surrounding villages. Recalling the association of Ustad Rafique Khan with Parichaya, Dr. Vincent Alva said that the theme song that was played prior to the starting of the programme was composed by Ustad Rafique Khan.
Ustad Rafique Khan was honoured by the Trustees of Parichaya. Eric Ozario, Gurkar of Mangalore based cultural organization ‘Maand Sobann’ also participated in honouring Ustad Rafique Khan. Mrs. Jenith Alva read the citation.
In reply to is felicitation, Ustad Rafiq Khan expressed his happiness to have been associated with Parichaya since its inception. He said that there are two main streams of classical music in India-South Indian (Karnatic) and North Indian (Hindustani). He appreciated the fact that Parichaya promotes different aspects of arts and culture such classical music, plays in different languages and other types of cultural pursuits. He assured his support to Parichaya in all its future endeavours.
Eric Ozario in his brief message lauded the mission of Parichaya in promoting culture in different languages while his organization ‘Maand Sobann’ concentrates in promoting and developing Konkani arts and culture. He assured the Trustees of Parichaya to support and contribute in whatever manner possible towards the good work that is being carried out by Parichaya. As a token of goodwill he presented the traditional Konkani musical instrument ‘Gumat’ to Parichaya. Vitori Karkal handed over the ‘Gumat’ to Anil D’Sa-President of Parichaya.
Prakash Noronha who anchored the programme informed the audience that Parichaya will organized its annual bouquet of plays in different languages from 10 February to 16 February 2025.
Following the proposal of the vote of thanks by Anil D’Sa, Prakash and Mrs. Mabel presented a brief hilarious skit. Dr. Vincent Alva in his one man act traced the evolution of the communication channels right from the postal correspondence through inland letters and post cards to telegrams, telephones, pagers and mobiles. Radio and kerosene lamp were other props he used to convey his message of nostalgia.
Anil D’Sa in his melodious voice rendered Hindi songs based on classical music. The entertainment programme culminated with the Housie game and dinner.
The prominent personalise present at the Foundation Day celebration included: Rev. Fr. Alwyn Serrao well-known Konkani play writer, Eric ozario, Mrs. Geeta Suratkal, Udyavara Nagesh, Alwyn Rodrigues, Vitori Karkal, Roshan Belman, Dr. Gerald Pinto, Anil Pernal, Victor D’Souza, Alwyn Danti, Naveen Lobo-member of Knkani Sahitya Academy.
About Ustad Rafique Khan:
Ustad Rafique Khan was born in Dharwad on 30 June 1968 into an illustrious family of accomplished musicians belonging to the Gwalior Gharana. His father, the late Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, was a distinguished sitarist of his time; while his grandfather, the late ’Sitar Ratna’ Ustad Rahimat Khan was accredited for adding the base octave in the sitar.
With such a lineage, spanning seven generations of his family, it is no surprise that the young Rafique Khan took to the sitar at the tender age of nine. He blossomed under the skilful and caring tutelage of his father and mentor Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. Elder brothers Ustad Usman Khan and Ustad Bale Khan too tutored him. He received special lessons in ’Gayaki Ang’ from his uncle Ustad Dastagir Khan. He passed his music exams from Gadharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai and graduated in Philosophy from the University of Goa.
Rafique Khan has performed in different places all over India. His performances have been acclaimed at prestigious music concerts like Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Sangeet Sammelan (Goa), Swami Haridas Sangeet Samaroh and Kalke-Kalakar (Mumbai) and’ Arambh’ Music Festival (Bhopal). Apart from his solo recitals, he also performs with his twin brother Shafique Khan and the Khan duo have received much praise for their ’Jugalbandhis’.
It is to the credit of Rafique Khan that he has won the prestigious ’Sur Mani Award’ from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, at the young age of 23 years, a feat not accomplished by many. All India Radio has rated him as an ’A’ grade artiste and has broadcast three of his recitals on their National Programmes. To music lovers Rafique Khan’s face is a familiar sight on the television too. He had toured Europe for his solo performances. He has participated in prestigious music festivals like ’Festival delle Colline’-Italy, ’Concerti All’ Abbazia Di San Fruttuosco Di Camogli’-Italy, "Festival Ljubljana’-Slovanija, ’Emilia Romagna Festival’-Caviro, ’Taulse Music Festival’-France and ’Saraswathi House’-Italy. He has also visited Germany.
One of the unique characteristics of his playing is that he preserved the purity of the raag and maintains the balance of the two mixed styles in ’Gayaki Ang’ and ’Tantakari Ang’. His self-discipline and devotion to music is evident in the fact that he has mastered the ’Gamak Taans’, which is considered to be the most difficult technique on the sitar. His command over the finger board is exemplary. The music that he produces is pure melody. Audiences are enthralled by the movements of his nimble fingers on each note he plays.
Rafique Khan loves his audiences and they, in turn, adore him. He goes to great lengths to please them. At present he is on the staff for All India Radio at Mangalore.