The story of Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan - an extraordinary musician, poet and teacher; who has not only preserved but also added much to an ancient Indian art form.
The story of Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan - an extraordinary musician, poet and teacher; who has not only preserved but also added much to an ancient Indian art form.
| Genre | : | Documentary, Biography, Music |
| Duration | : | 80 mins |
| Certification | : | Universal |
| Writer/Director | : | Niharika Popli |
| Cinematography | : | Akshay Madan |
| Editing | : | Niharika Popli, Vishal Chauhan |
| Sound | : | Matthew Arackaparambil |
| Year | : | 2015 |
'Rasan Piya' is a documentary on the life of renowned Hindustani classical vocalist, Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, who represented the 16th generation of Miyan Tansen's lineage. He continued not just to compose, but also to teach, travel and perform across all of India till he lived. He passed away recently, on 18th February 2016 at the age of 107 years. His story is that of an extraordinary musician, poet and teacher; of someone who has not only preserved but also added much to an ancient Indian art form; of a brave man who overcame his physical limitations to create beautiful music and inspire a whole generation of musicians and music lovers. The film explores the various influences that have shaped his life and music, a life steeped in the rich culture of Awadh. It also offers a commentary on the change that art in India has witnessed with the decline of the riyasats (kingdoms) and the patronage they offered. Lastly, the film attempts to draw one towards our ancient 'guru shishya parampara', as preserved and practised by one its most revered exponents. |
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The film is all about bringing life to the indomitable human spirit of legendary singer Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, against numerous challenges. A very humbling and inspirational experience.
- Jury, Mumbai International Film Festival - 2016
That Rasan Piya is born out of pure passion, free from the pretences of ‘making a film’, is evident in every frame of this moody, intimate 80-minute film.
- Zico Ghosh, The Hindu
Rasan Piya is a meditative film in the truest sense. The candid intimacy that the film makers achieved with a living legend is inspiring and total justice to the richest man in the world - Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan sahab.
- Satchit Puranik
Rasan Piya is made with such honesty and rare reverence to the art & the artist, that it's impossible not to fall in love with him & his music.
- Pallavi Kulshrestha
Indian classical music and cinema have the potential to come together and make a powerful work of art, and I feel that this potential is substantially realised in this film. Also, it brings out the truly pluralistic nature of Khan sahab's personality, and in the larger scheme of things, of the tradition of Indian classical music itself.
- Kaif Mahmood
Its a film which not only traces the life of a great musician, but also takes you on a journey into the truly syncretic nature of the culture of the subcontinent. Baba was not just a great musician, he was one of the last great Sufis in its truest sense. Niharika's film brings this multilayered personality to us with simplicity and grace.
- Falguni Desai
We would love to hear from you :)
Feel free to write to niharika@rasanpiya.com