Sitar maestro Hidayat Husain Khan commemorates Republic Day with 'Jai Hind'

The maestro is now releasing a stirring track, 'Jai Hind,' ahead of Republic Day to pay a heartfelt tribute to India's syncretic, diverse, unified, and vibrant soul. This soulful rendition of the National Anthem also features tabla exponent Avirodh Sharma and imagery created by filmmaker Hrishi Shah. The track features the cadences of sitar, the compelling rhythm of tabla, and mesmeric vocals by Hidayat Husain Khan himself.

"The National Anthem was such an intrinsic part of my school days and I was filled with nostalgia when I was invited to perform it at an event in New York City. That experience then inspired me to reinterpret and record this version," says Hidayat Husain Khan and adds, " The composition begins with a meditative alaap and takes the listener right into the core values that define India’s historical evolution. The rhythmic tabla patterns capture our nation’s joyous diversity. It peaks with a fast-paced 'jhala', representing India’s dynamic energy, before culminating in a solo symbolizing unity in diversity,".

He adds that the creation evolved spontaneously and explains, "The alaap and jhala sections were completely improvised in the studio with my tabla player, Avirodh Sharma. Even the vocal delivery was totally instinctive and from the heart."

Produced by Ayon Ghosh (Naad), the track is enriched with subtle, contemporary references, and the video captures the gravitas and energy of India's past and present.

Hidayat Husain Khan concludes, "India has enormous cultural depth as well as resilience and 'Jai Hind' celebrates all of this. It also carries our shared memories of mutual acceptance, and respect for differences and salutes the spirit of oneness that defines India and Indians.”