CD Review: Shujaat Husain Khan & Katayoun Goudarzi – India Meets Persia in the Garden of Rumi

11.10.2013 by Sohrabeyal Category CD Review

Artist: Shujaat Husain Khan & Katayoun Goudarzi.
Title: Spring
Label: self-released
Genre: Indian/Persian folk music

Review by Dawoud Kringle

This is the day and age of cultural blending, and conversations across boundaries and ages. Music is the purest art form wherein this is best accomplished (and the most dangerous if done badly). In this mindset, the ancient Sufi poetJalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi has spoken most eloquently, and speaks for more people (or more specifically, the journey and vision of more people) than he could have known.

Musical tributes and interpretations of the poetry and spirit that Rumi delivered abound. The task become more and more herculean as the numbers of such projects increase (and as the misinterpretations and dilution and profaning of Rumi’s words increase). That said, Spring, the collaborative effort from sitarist, vocalist Shujaat Khan, vocalist Katayoun Goudarzi, flautist Ajay Prasana, and tabla master Abhiman Kaushal, contribute a wonderful gem to the collection.

The CD begins with “Paradise;” a Persian style excursion on sitar, with Khan on vocals. Then, just as the listener is drawn in by the beauty of the sitar (and the unusual stylistic approach that seems to suit the sitar quite well). Goudarzi’s recitation flows in, and embraces / envelopes the listener with an indescribable ecstasy.

Khan’s sitar is the dominant instrument on this recording. His liquid and effortless approach forms a beautiful and eloquent foundation and structure of the music within which the mood of Rumi’s poetry is allowed to infuse its inspiration. He rarely displays his considerable technical skills; but when he does, it is always in service to the spirit of the music.

Kaushal’s approach to tabla is largely supportive. He eschews pyrotechnic displays of technique that are de-rigueur for tabla. It would not quite work in this music. In a similar way, Prasana’s wonderful bansuri floats in and around the rhythms and melodies like incense smoke.

Goudarzi’s voice, whether singing or reciting, has a unique, and almost overwhelming beauty to it. Every note she sings, and every word she speaks caresses the ear. When she sings or speaks, it appears like a jewel that is unexpectedly found in the folds of a silk cloth one had been admiring. It is nearly impossible to avoid the overworked (and in a very subtle way) misleading word “sensual.” But her voice draws one into a special and magical place, wherein once inside, one does not wish to leave.

The whole CD is like a peaceful journey in a vast garden wherein flowers, trees, light, and sound fill the senses with their own poetic invocations of Divinity. This mist be experienced in a quiet place, far from worldly distractions. Then, this music can work its power and serenity on you.