"Virtuoso…Classical Purity…Astonishing individuality…Shafaatullah Khan explored the rhythmic intricacies of percussive sound in a way that was both intellectual and poetic... a creator as well as performer…" – Washington Post

In the rich history of Indian classical music, Shafaatullah Khan is a shining star. Debuting at the Kings Lynn festival in England at the age of eleven before the Queen Mother, he is the first known artist of India to have performed in a single recital on the Sitar, Surbahar, and Tabla, at the most prestigious concert halls, music festivals and universities all around the world.

Shafaatullah’s creativity has challenged the paradigm in this field where an artist excels in either strings or percussion. This perspective enables him to approach music rhythmically and rhythm musically. This multidimensional musical repertoire distinguishes him in his illustrious ancestry.

As a descendant of one of the greatly respected and renowned families of musicians in India, Shafaatullah Khan represents the eighth generation in a lineage that can be traced back to the golden age of the arts under the reign of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar of 16th century India.

Shafaatullah’s strengths lie far beyond his world-class performances as he communicates the love, respect and appreciation of his musical heritage and culture as a teacher of Indian classical music. Dedicated to a spiritual view of music, Shafaatullah sees the promotion of peace and harmony as its foundation in a globalizing, multicultural world.

PROGRAM:
          Shafaatullah’s program is a unique experience of Indian classical music, as he is one of the rare performers who plays Tabla, Sitar and Surbahar with the mastery of a virtuoso on each instrument. Accompanied by sarangi, dilruba, or keyboard to keep lehera (a rhythmic cycle melody), Shafaat offers an exemplary performance of the complexity and richness of India's musical traditions.
          Shafaat has performed live at the most prestigious concert halls, music festivals and universities around the world, including the Acropolis in Athens, Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Center and the Smithsonian Institute.

“The real driving power entered the performance when Shafaatullah’s marvelous fingers showed us the rhythmic complexity of the music and enthralled the audience.” – Cork Examiner

“The mood of both pieces in which the tabla player, Shafaatullah, was involved was predominantly exuberant… at one point he could be heard echoing on the larger of his two drums the melodic ideas taught to him by his father, perfectly tuned simply by the pressure of his hands.” – The Times of India