SPIC MACAY Bengaluru launches SPWHAY, the International arm of SPIC MACAY

Artist of Launch: Ustad Naseeruddin Saami (Khayal)

Ustad Naseeruddin Saami is legendary Khayal vocalist from Pakistan. He obtained training from his late uncle, the eminent Munshi Raziuddin. On the instruction of his mentor he furthered his training under the tutelage of the elders of the Dilli gharana, namely Sardar Khan, Pyaray Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed Khan. Saami Sahib is an artiste who gives great importance to the historic traditions of his art. His style of singing is called ‘Shudh Bani’. He is a strict practitioner of his inherited musical philosophy– that of maintaining and believing in the purity of ‘Sur’, which he displays most beautifully in his singing. He performs all the elements of classical music like Khayal, Thumri, Sadra and Kajri with versatility, which is distinctive of his Gharana. Ustad Naseerud Din Saami was conferred the Presidents’ Pride of Performance in 2007.

The name of Naseeruddin Saami needs no introduction in the field of music. His ancestors founded the school of music known as the “DELHI GHARANA”. His forefathers were Coffilected with the Darbar of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. His ancestor MIYAN SAMATH had the privilege of being the disciple of Hazrat Ameer Khusro.

From this family another great personality QUTUB BAKSH alias USTAD TAN RAS KHAN SAHEB was the master in Music in the court of Bahadur Shah Zafar. In his last days, he migrated to Hyderabad, Deccan and as close to the Royal Darbar of Mir Mehboob Ali Pasha. Naseeruddin Saami, of the Delhi Gharana, son of Abdul Hamid Khan Saami was born in a family of classical vocalists, who have been practicing their Art for more than 730 years. Naseeruddin Saami’s ancestor Miyan Samath was trained by Hazrat Ameer Khusro himself, and the generations of singers that followed kept up the tradition and further honed it to a high level of intricacy and refinement.Ustad Naseeruddin Sami has the honour of possessing two around 175 years old.They has remained within the family of Ustan Tan Ras Khan Sahib since.

Naseeruddin has been guided by four mentors – the main one being his Ustad and uncle Munshi Raziuddin. Ustad Sardar Khan, Iftikhar Alrrned and Piaray Khan are the other three whom he avidly follows.

Naseeruddin started his training from the age of 10 years. His style of singing is called ‘Sudh Bani’. From 1958-62 he trained with his grand uncle Sardar Khan in Lahore. His other two uncles Iftikhar Ahmed and Piaray Khan were stationed in Karachi, so he had the opportunity to be with them alongwith Munshi Raziuddin in Karachi.

Naseeruddin is a strict follower in the style of his family tradition-keeping ‘Sur’ as the most important component of his singing. His singing is peaceful and calm. Heartfelt rendition of the raga, manifesting the emotions which are mentioned in the bandish is one of the main aspects of Khyal Gaiki, in which he excels. He shows his versatility by also singing, Sadara, Thumri.

The schedule of events goes like this,