“A daring dedicated performer. His fans fondly say he plays the sitar through strings that sing” an apt description by Vibe for the sitarist/ vocalist Hidayat Husain Khan. He is one of the rare sitarist who adds a soulful voice to his performance which Music-Online captured it well in “Dazzling bursts of amazing taans followed by mesmerizing vocals”. This is why he is known as one of the best sitar players.
It is not a surprise to know that Hidayat Khan is a direct descendant and proponent of one of the most treasured lineages of eastern classical music, son of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan, globally acclaimed as the greatest of all sitar players. The London Times aptly describes Hidayat as “the tradition carries on impeccably.”
He harbors a rare, creative brilliance that effortlessly takes him across all genres and nuances of music and can seamlessly transition from the very classical, playing the intricate meands (slides) of the Etawa/VilayatkhaniGharana to the very colloquial. This is best reflected in The NYC Jazz World’s quote “performing in a style, which, while patently steeped in Hindustani (North Indian) influences, defied facile categorization” and in Jazz Weekly described his music as “If you want to know true “world music” Khan might do it for you.”
Rolling Stones praises him and his music as “Jazzing up the sitar. Khan adds new shades to the music with his mastery.”He has been described, as “born to play” by Montreal Times.“Charismatic, charming and fun, Hidayat Khan plays with the audience” by Off Beat. His music has been described as “Melancholy, reflective, beautiful” by Le Mond De,“Creative and meditative” by Chicago Heraldand “transporting, piercing the soul till the last drops of emotions were flowing through the body.” By Khaleej Times.
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