Lending his voice

If there's one tune that's catching your attention these days, it is the haunting melody of Kabhi to Nazar Milao, sung by Asha Bhosle and composed by Adnan Sami Khan. Adnan is an achiever at the age of 28 and is the first person to play Indian classical music on the piano, successfully blending the East and the West. Popularly referred to as the fastest keyboard player in the world, his career ranges from the classical, semi-classical notes to Jazz to modern Pop-Rock (Western and Indian).
"I call myself a musical gypsy, and my whole intention was trying to expand, apart from my body, my musical horizon," says the humorous composer, who is the latest talent to hit the music scene.
Adnan acquired an interest in melody though none of his family members were into music. Education at Rugby School, London, taught him two things – playing rugby and learning music. But how did the young boy specialise in playing the piano? Here, Adnan has a fascinating story to tell. At the dining room of the Rugby School was a beautiful, but old and dusty piano, untouched and unused for ages. Sami, fascinated by the instrument and with the help of the house-master, cleaned, restored and re-strung the piano. It was with this instrument that he started his composition. "I started composing ever since I was a kid and since nobody would sing my composition, I would sing them. That's how I evolved as a musician," he said.
Novel attempt
But how did he think of playing Indian classical music on the piano? "Because it was something which no one had ever attempted," he added with pride. When he was introduced to Indian classical music, he found it very similar to jazz, which was his main interest. He was already a pianist by then, and learning how to play the santoor brought him in close contact with great musicians like Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, who encouraged the idea of using the keyboard to play Indian classical music.
What about stage shows? Is the singer-composer attracted to concerts on stage? "The electricity and excitement generated, and the energy flow that vibrates on stage is too over-powering for any music lover and I am no exception. 'Home' is where I find an audience," he said, adding: "My concerts are never planned, they are mostly impromptu. Most of the pieces are created on the spot, which is usually the result of the excitement after gauging the audience's response. I perform non-stop for three hours and it is usually an exhilarating experience, though it drains me completely. In fact I am looking forward to the programme in Dubai."
Regarding his career shift, Adnan is not in favour of this concept because as a musician, he prefers to enjoy the freedom of being able to create anything and everything possible in the musical firmament. He is committed to experimenting with new styles and forms, rather than be taken hostage by success as a commercial artiste and thus creating formula music.
Feel-good album
Kabhi to Nazar Milao is a feel-good album, one that will make life pleasant. Teaming up with Asha Bhosle was "a dream come true" for the young singer. According to him, she is a vocal genius, with her versatility and sur of volcanic proportions. "The best thing about Ashaji is her complete humility towards her volcanic talent, and that's what amazed me. In person she is such a soft-spoken, fragile lady, but in front of the mike, she's another persona altogether."
And talking with the young, ambitious composer made one of his future plans very clear – that of making his presence felt on the Indian music scene.