Young musician hones craft in religious music

NAWAZ Khan grew up in a religious home and developed a love for the music that his family enjoyed; so much so that he started singing and playing instruments whenever he would attend the mosque. Now known as ‘Master Nawaz Khan’, the young musician hails from Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, and does mechanics as his day job. But he’s become so skillful with the musical instruments that he now uses them professionally. An Islamic specialist in Bollywood classical, Urdu, Qaseedas, Qawwali, and Sufis, Nawaz plays the harmonium, dholak, and daf.

According to a publication called India Instruments, harmoniums can produce chords, melody and drones all at once and can create a warm, rich, natural sound. They are easy to play and their features make them the most popular instruments for the accompaniment of any style of classical, devotional or popular singing in India. The publication further said that their keyboard makes them perfectly compatible to Western music as well. The dholak, a double-headed drum, is another very popular tool that Nawaz plays, along with the daf, a frame drum.
“I love this kind of music because I was born in a home where music was always being played. I liked how people can utilise their vocals and I thought that I can do the same,” Nawaz told Buzz this week.

He’s never before been trained in music, but he now has a guru, Michael Ramkisson, who is giving him lessons on how to better his talents. “I was self-trained, but when I started doing music professionally, he started coaching me.” It’s only been about four years now since Nawaz started using his music skills professionally. And because he’s so good at what he does, he’s even been able to partake in some Imam duties on occasion. Nawaz dreams of a day that he will be able to go on a scholarship to India to study music. “I’m hoping to be chosen to go to music school in India. There is hardly any scope for advancement in Guyana and that depresses me when I think of it sometimes.” However, he said he copes with the feelings and makes do with whatever small tasks and jobs he can do. In fact, he often gets hired for jobs to sing. “Although I am a Muslim, I am very fond of bhajans,” he expressed. Nawaz has participated and won in many Muslim competitions locally and internationally. “For 2019, I am the Qaseeda champion for the Caribbean,” Nawaz said, adding that he would eventually love to start an Indian classical band.
Nawaz said he is proud of himself and the way he is using his life at the moment and believes in having a lot of self-confidence.
He describes himself as a friendly, humble young man who tries to live a life based on fairness and equality. He also makes an effort to make others feel comfortable around him.