When he travels to different countries, the legendary singer Ustaad Shafqat Ali Khanreceives a warm welcome but here in his own country he is disappointed over the plight of classical music and its singers. Heir to the famous house of classical music, Shaam Chorasi, he is the custodian of a four hundred year legacy. This line of musicians began with Mian Chand Ali Khan and Mian Suraj Ali Khan who used to quell the heart and soul of Mughal Emperor Akbar by singing for him.
Today he is recognised as one of the best classical musicians alive but he appears dejected over the callousness of the Pakistani state towards the promotion and preservation of classical music.
The government awarded him with Pride of Performance in 2009 but he feels that in practical terms, nothing is ever done to truly promote classical music. “India has honoured my father and uncle by introducing the ‘Nazakat Salamat Award’ which is awarded annually on the occasion of ‘Nazakat Salamat Mela’ held in our native village Sham Chorasi in the Hoshiarpur district of India. Here in my own country, rulers remain apathetic towards singers like me,” he lamented
