Sounds and tunes from around the globe are an inseparable
part of the charged atmosphere at the Jaipur Literature Fest. Spiritual notes
wafting from Azerbaijan were an unusual, savory addition this time. In the
quest to bring you exclusive interactions with authors and performers across
the world, Financial Chronicle got up close and personal with the Alim Qasimov
Ensemble—winner of the UNESCO International Music Prize for Performers— that
cast a spell on all of Jaipur.
Relaxing in the lobby of the Clarks Amer, Qasimov explains
that though his music is classical in nature, it is a form of spiritual
expression, which comes from a “deeper place inside him”. It’s not just a
performance; it is a way of doing “zikr”, much like the Sufi tradition in India.
“Earlier I was a performer,” he says. “But over the years, performing and
performing, the meanings have changed for me. Now it is a way of seeking
communion with the almighty… it’s my way of doing zikr. The music goes from me
to god, and becomes a source of spiritual cleansing. The audience feels it,
too. It creates an aura of spiritual energy around them.”
Qasimov answers all questions through hand-gestures and
sparse words, even as Fargana, his daughter, conveys his meaning—and her own—
in English. Language is a problem here, since their preferred one is Azeri—a
language closely related to modern Turkish. Qasimov chides his daughter mildly,
telling her to improve her English so she can handle interviews better! Fargana
and Qasimov are the lead vocalists in the Ensemble, with the other 3
members—Rauf, Zaki and Rafael— playing the Kaman, the tar and the balaban,
traditional instruments of Azerbaijan. Rafael sits with us now, his fingers
unceasingly rotating prayer beads on a rosary. Is he praying? “No, no!” he
laughs, and says something in Azeri. “It’s his habit…just his way of passing
time,” Fargana translates.
Fargana explains that their performance is steeped in the
Mugham tradition— an ancient Azerbaijani folk tradition— where they sing old
poems by famous poets, improvising the rendition. Mugham is, in fact, a highly
complex art form recognized in 2003 by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It combines classical poetry and musical
improvisation in specific local modes associated not only with scales but with
an orally transmitted collection of melodies and melodic fragments. The
dramatic unfolding in performance is typically associated with increasing
intensity and rising pitches.
“Our first lady Mehriban Aliyera is providing a lot of
impetus to the promotion of Mugham,” Fargana says, “Not many people paid
attention to this several years ago, but due to her support, more and more
people are moving towards it. Especially young people, who used to be more
interested in modern pop music.” Fargana herself was initiated into Mugham as a child, and
joined her father in stage performances at the age of 16. Qasimov is an
acclaimed performer in his country since the age of 23.
Improvisation in music is an important part of their
performance, and Qasimov says they now also combine elements of Indian music
with their original sounds. Fargana says they greatly appreciate the music of
“Hind”. “When you go deeper, the music
of Hind, Iran and Azerbaijan, all have the same roots. We have much in common.”
So would we see any fusion performances? Qasimov enthusiastically expresses a
desire to meet Anoushka Shankar and perform in collaboration with her. “If you
meet her, please convey my message to her!”
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