Ataraxis

This album has been a process of connecting my past with my present. It is my attempt to connect ancient musical forms with the new palettes of modern recording technology and by relating the personal and emotional with the outside/life/world while trying to make sense of the nonsensical through the only expression I know and trust - music. Music has allowed me to reference life from a place of anger and sadness, then slowly allowed me to find hope and optimism again. Although most of my life has left me feeling displaced, I am finding the only sense of a homeland and belonging I have is through music. This is a brief description on the songs that have helped me find ataraxis at this moment in my life. All could change tomorrow but this is my reality today. In the memory of the maestros and true treasures of our classical music tradition Malka-e-mausiqi Roshan Ara Begum, Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Amir Khan and Ustad Bismillah Khan. In loving memory of my grand parents Mohammed Yosuf Khan, Fatima Begum and Fatima Bibi.