From guitarist to becoming a recognisable voice in contemporary qawwali, when did you realise you had made your mark?
My journey has had many ups and downs. I’m still learning every day. Once, I met a four-year-old who knew my shayari and stage mannerisms. His parents said he even ate while listening to me. Children are God’s shadow. If my music could reach a child, I felt I had achieved something.
It means qawwali performed in Sagar’s style. Traditionally, qawwali is performed sitting down, but I believe music has no rules. I grew up listening to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and idolising Gurdas Maan. Sagar Wali Qawwali combines Nusrat saab’s music with Maan saab’s performance style.
You cannot tamper with qawwali’s essence, but you can experiment with its music. I retained the traditional harmonium, tabla, clapping and backing vocals while introducing electronic beats. I wanted younger audiences to understand and connect with qawwali.
Gurdas Maan saab’s energy and aura are extraordinary. Someone once said I resembled him, so I began observing him closely. I learnt that your entire body must connect with the music. Nusrat saab’s poetry is incomparable. He took qawwali beyond Sufi audiences and made it popular worldwide. Both are like Gods to me.
Absolutely. I began as a musician, singing devotional songs. Someone suggested that my heavy voice suited Sufi qawwali. I tried singing a couple of songs in 2010, and it stayed with me.
Not really. I experimented for years, suppressing my essence because I feared people wouldn’t accept it. Eventually, what I loved most connected with audiences. I create all kinds of music, but on stage, people expect my madness. I believe I’m a complete package.
Young audiences need something they can understand. Some of Nusrat saab’s qawwalis have complex meanings, so I chose relatable compositions and introduced simple shayari between them. I made qawwali more commercial without disturbing its purity. Who am I to tamper with something so sacred?
Before performing, I’m nervous. Once on stage, I become Sagar Wali Qawwali rather than Sagar Bhatia. I feel God has blessed me with this ability. Sometimes, watching my performances afterwards, I cannot believe that’s me. People think such energy is humanly impossible. But when you’re made for something, it comes naturally. The stage reciprocates, and magic happens.
What would you tell the Sagar who struggled before achieving recognition?
I still speak to that struggling boy because I never want success to overpower me. Remembering where I came from keeps me grounded. From performing before two people to entertaining 20,000, even internationally, God has given me more than I imagined. I feel like His chosen child. I want to carry that struggling Sagar with me forever.
What did your Bollywood debut with Khudaya from Sarfira teach you?
Singing for a character differs from singing for yourself. Someone else has composed the song and imagined its emotions. You must understand their vision, just as an actor adapts to a director’s interpretation.
I’ve never restricted myself musically. Whether it’s playback singing, independent music, composing or live performances, I want to continue making music throughout my life. I’m not chasing any particular opportunity.
I don’t approach international audiences differently. Simple shayari helps listeners understand complex qawwalis. If the poetry is difficult, I simplify the antara. If both are complicated, my performance helps audiences connect emotionally. I want their love for qawwali to last beyond a passing trend.
I’ve never consciously tried to win audiences over. I performed what I enjoyed, and people connected with it. I haven’t changed myself. They have every right to like or dislike my music. I believe that if I enjoy creating something, audiences will enjoy listening to it.
I want my identity to survive me. My music and performances are my most honest expressions. Audiences often tell me they’ve never seen anyone perform like me. Being remembered as a performer would be my greatest gift.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: filmfare.com
