The joy of music lies in practice, play, and the love of the audience: Ustaad Shujaat Husain Khan & Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia

With long and distinct careers in Hindustani classical music, sitarist Ustaad Shujaat Husain Khan and flautist Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia represent two established lineages within the tradition.

When they collaborate, the focus is less on virtuosity alone and more on musical dialogue and structure. Ahead of their upcoming performance in the city, the duo opened up about their working dynamic, younger audiences, the influence of digital platforms, and their continued faith in the appeal of well-crafted music.

‘There’s no rehearsal... Everything is spontaneous, improvised & happening in that moment’When asked about their on-stage chemistry, Ustaad Shujaat Khan says spontaneity lies at the heart of everything they do.

“For me, the joy of live music lies in not designing anything at all. There’s no rehearsal, no planning, no studio work, no pre-thought ideas. Everything is spontaneous, improvised, happening in that very moment,” he says.Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia says, “People often think it is like a competition — almost a musical wrestling match, like a war between two artistes. But that’s not what it’s like. It’s really about understanding and listening to each other.

With a musician like Ustaad Shujaat, there’s a certain maturity and sensitivity that comes from both experience and lineage. After doing a few concerts together, we’ve found that comfort and connection.”

‘Social media can’t replace sincerity and authenticity in music’In an age dominated by Instagram reels and algorithms, they also reflect on whether classical musicians need to chase visibility online. “Honestly, I don’t overthink these things.

I’m not on any digital platform. Yet people still find me. I perform in around 50 shows a year, which tells me one thing, if you make good music, people will come to you,” Ustaad Shujaat says.His message to the next generation is simple — discipline and daily riyaaz. “My advice to young musicians is simple: spend less time making reels and chasing views, and more time practising and refining your art. In the long run, it’s your riyaaz that counts, not your followers,” he adds. At the same time, Pandit Rakesh notes, “Digital platforms are not wrong. Like every coin, they have two sides. For some people, they work very well. Use social media if you want, but don’t let it replace your practice. Fame may bring people to the hall once, but only good music will make them stay.”

‘Young listeners don’t lack patience; we underestimate them’Addressing the common belief that younger listeners lack patience for classical music, Ustaad Shujaat counters, “I think we underestimate young audiences when we say they have short attention spans.

That’s not true. If you give them three-minute songs, of course, they’ll listen for three minutes. But if you offer them a proper classical concert, they’re ready for that too.”He adds that audiences today arrive with intent and curiosity. “When people come to my concerts, they know what they’re coming for. They’re prepared to sit through a 45-minute or hour-long raag before we move to Sufi or lighter pieces. They listen with patience and curiosity. I give them a lot of credit. They genuinely want to connect with their culture. And honestly, I’m very satisfied with the way audiences respond to Indian classical music today.

” — Biswajit Talukdar