Classical sarangi artist, singer and lyricist Nabeel Khan released his debut song “Jaanejaan” on Saturday. Written, composed and sung by the 21-year-old Delhi boy during the lockdown, the song is about breakups and heartbreak.
It combines soft rock with the soothing sounds of Khan’s sarangi, accompanied by tabla, electric guitar and drums.
Nabeel Khan created a sarangi sensation at the age of seven under the tutelage of his Padma Bhushan awardee grandfather Ustad Sabri Khan and father Ustad Nasir Khan and continues the tradition of Moradabad Sainiya Gharana sarangi playing.
Interview with Nabeel Khan:
When did you create this song?
It was all pretty risky, the explanations and improvisations were all done on a virtual platform, with each instrumentalist coming in on their own time to record and finish their parts. From writing the lyrics to the final video edit took 4-5 months.
I have composed one original fusion song using sarangi and hand drums with my Russian friends and an Indian Raga band (New York), which will be released on their YouTube channel on November 26. I would love to work with music directors AR Rahman, Amit Trivedi Ji, Salim Suleman, Pritam and singers Vishal Mishra, Jubin Nautiyal, Armaan Malik, Mika Singh Ji and Anoop Jalota Ji.
Which do you place more emphasis on: the sarangi or the singing?
I am drawn to singing while playing the sarangi, so I imagine myself singing while playing the sarangi.
