The sole sarod player in the media

Yousuf Khan

That was a memorable event of the life of sarod player Md Yousuf Khan, who has been playing sarod since 1977. He learnt to play this instrument under the tutelage of his brother late Md Younus Khan when he was only 15. Later, he took lessons from his father, late Ustad Fuljhury Khan, who was proficient in many instruments along with sarod. But he mainly played the sarangi.

Yousuf said, 'Although there is an increase of satellite channels with many more musical programmes, the scope of playing sarod has not developed even today. Because any person who directs a programme has to know about the instrument first. It shouldn't be much of a problem for those who show the proper honour to find the genuine sarod players.'

Yousuf insisted that if anybody wants to learn to play sarod he or she must work hard. There is a course of five years to learn this instrument. He said, 'There are people who learn fast and there are students who cannot make it even in years. I teach some people who are really good. But it takes years to learn properly and become and artiste.

I will off course inspire my children to learn sarod but definitely will not push them. If they want to learn truly then it's ok. But they must complete their studies first. I'm in this profession because I saw my family members in the musical line and I was inspired by them.

Yousuf talked about his dreams. He said 'I have a dream to begin a school where I will teach children different types of instruments like setar, flute, harmonium, violin and off course the sarod. But that requires financial support.

Yousuf admitted that there is enough popularity of sarod in our country. 'But there must be enough hard work to become a master. Yousuf said 'For example, if you keep away the instrument for a week and don't play it, instrument will not talk to you.

Md Yousuf Khan is a staff artiste in the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy now. He traveled to many countries in cultural tours like Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, China, Italy, Kenya, Zambia, India, Russia, Iraq, Turkey etc. He played sarod in about one hundred cinemas and for hundreds of audiocassettes. He plays on television regularly. He also performs solo recitals on stage.

He said, 'It is true that this instrument is difficult to play. It is a matter of devotion. I'm playing sarod for 23 years, but still I feel scared whether I'm using the wrong notes or not. But it is not a very prosperous field. There is no institution and there is no government facilities to play this instrument. The price of the instrument is very high as well. So, who ever wants to be a sarod players, it is also very expensive for him or her."

"There is a dearth of trained musicians in our country" concludes Yousuf Khan.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy with its huge set up can easily take steps to train and support musicians the funds needed can come from grants it receives from donors.