(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Indian music icon and sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is pained to see people killing each other in the name of religion.
Khan, a well-travelled musician, said the world is going through testing times. "The 21st century should be very peaceful, but it's not. Today is the worst time in the world, when we are killing each other in the name of religion and community," Khan said on Saturday, ahead of his performance during the Abu Dhabi Festival.
He blamed the prevalent education system that doesn't focus on qualities of love and compassion. "There is something wrong in the current education systems. The time has to put the books aside for at least one class, where the teachers shares the value of love and compassion," Khan noted.
He lamented that education has become an industry. "Schools are bent on making money and not on shaping students into good human being. Business tycoons are building schools as it has become an industry and students are now called clients. Similarly, hospitals have become an industry and even patients have become clients. All this is the result of commercialisation."
He said the right way forward for the world is to make children learn music. "I would like to come and spend more time in Abu Dhabi. I would like to conduct a workshop to teach music here," Khan said.
Music connects the world but language creates barriers, he noted. "People win and lose elections because of language. Through language, you can manipulate and say what you are not."
Talking about politics and religion, he said: "Politics everywhere is based on religion. Politicians across the world play the religion card."
Khan is recipient of Padma Vibhushan - India's second highest civilian honour and has always been outspoken about social issues. He is optimistic about classical music remaining relevant in the future and youngsters taking it up as a profession.
"Classical music is almost like entering into a dark tunnel with the hope of finding a ray of light someday. There is, was and will be a struggle. It is not a smooth ride but now there are lots of opportunities for musicians, with plenty of corporate shows and festivals."
He noted that reality shows have been able to find new talents. "Each day, I see videos of child prodigies. I was never a child prodigy and had to struggle and work hard."
The 72-year-old is in Abu Dhabi along with wife and Bharatanatyam dancer Subhalakshmi Barooah, who last performed here in 1978.
"We have come to pay our respects through music to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Next time, I would like to perform in Abu Dhabi with my sons Amaan and Ayaan," Khan added.
Ustad Khan performs at Emirates Palace auditorium at 8 pm on Sunday.
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