No decline in Indian Classical music : Rashid Khan

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Nov 24 (UNI) Ruling out any decline in Indian Classical music, renowned classical vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan today expressed confidence that it would stay here forever.

Addressing a news conference ahead of his inagural performance at the Ellora Ajanta Festival to begin here this evening, Ustad Rashid Khan said 'fusion is confusion,' and won't stay for long.

''The fusion will stay for some time but does not have any future,'' said Ustad Rashid Khan.

Replying to a question, the Ustad said even today he had seen more than 20,000 classical music lovers attending the 'Savai Gandharva festival,' and added that this was a direct answer to the people unnecessary by worried about the future of the classical music.

Ustad Rashid Khan appreciated the key role played by Pt Bhimsen Joshi and Pt Jasraj for making Indian Classical Music popular across the world.

Ustad Rashid Khan, who belongs to a particular style of the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana and known as a master of Khayal and Tarana, has pointed out that there has been a great exposure to new classical singers in today's age but added immediately that the youths are not much encouraged towards classical music.

According to him, the passion for easy and quick earning was forcing the new generation singers not to opt for classical music.

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