My instrument directly hits heart & soul, says Babar Khanna

By Sadaf Fayyaz Apr 19th, 2012 ( 2 Comments )

He is a dazzling percussionist who has been a part of Coke Studio since season one. His instrument simply hits heart and soul. Music runs in his veins. He also made his mark on the pop music scene by playing Dhol for singers like Jawad Ahmed, Abrar-ul-Haq and Shazia Manzoor. He runs his own music academy in Lahore, where he teaches Dholak to students. He explains the kind of metamorphosis he went through as an artist. While talking to The News Tribe (TNT), he was like:

TNT: What message does your music mainly reflect?

Babar: There are no words for music but music directly touches heart. There is a feeling of spirituality in music, there is intensity in music, and music purifies our heart and soul. And being a percussionist, I feel that my instrument directly hits heart and soul.

TNT: What’s your experience of working with Coke Studio?

Babar: I have wonderful experience with Coke Studio. It’s a big project of music for very first time in Pakistan with international fame. Rohail Hayat keenly observes everything like sound, raag, taal and chords etc. I have learnt a lot of things from Rohail Sahib. He is a true genius presenting music in a different manner and promoting new talent. I feel proud to be a part of CS.

TNT: If given a chance, you would like to perform with whom?

Babar: It was my wish to perform with Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahib and Late Tufial Niazi Sahib.

TNT: How do you define good music?

Babar: There are no as such words for music. It’s an abstract form. I mean it can’t be touched or seen but can only be felt. Good music belongs to our inner selves and music is basically a meditative process in which we travel intently and we meet our own selves. That’s the quality of good music.

TNT: What is success for a musician according to you in terms of money or fame?

Babar: Both things are necessary. Fame depends on your hard work and you can’t survive without money in this world. Both things are important for a musician.

TNT: In such a competitive music environment, what acts as your niche?

Babar: I only rely on my work. It’s an age of competition but we should focus on our own work. That’s the best way in such a competitive music environment.

TNT: What are three things that you dislike and three things that you like about music industry?

Babar: The three things that I dislike are politics, no value of art in our country and I hate and dislike people who don’t know about music and falsely talk about music. Three things that I like is growth of our new generation in music, platforms for young artists and music being treated as a proper subject now.

TNT: Say a few lines on future of music in Pakistan.

Babar: In Pakistan, the future of music can be excellent but on some basic grounds, we should give chance to new talent and music teachers should take keen interest in teaching students. Government should open art centers and hire our senior artists in different universities and institutions to teach music properly.

TNT: What would you suggest to infant musicians? Music shall be taken as a hobby or as a career?

Babar: I would suggest to all infant musicians to work hard and take this profession seriously.

TNT: Is there any message to readers?

Babar: Always speak truth and stay positive. Always work with concentration, determination and hard work.

Regards and Love, Babar