The artist formerly known as Aasish Khan

Aasish Khan, the son of sarod master Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and a sarod master himself, has created a firestorm by changing his surname to Debsharma, declaring himself Hindu, and claiming that the family never converted to Islam. His father, who is now 84 and settled in California (where he has a much younger son Alam by his American wife), is very distraught over Aasish's decision.


Aasish Debsharma né Aasish Khan

What was the motivation of Aasish Debsharma né Khan? Was it fear in the post-9/11 environment, as this TOI article Post-9/11, fear has gripped all artistes suggests?

The article quotes at some length the views of lyricist and self-styled activist Javed Akhtar (and husband of actress and self-styled activist Shabana Azmi), who said that "people are overreacting in the West. In all these seven years of presidentship, all that George Bush has managed to do is to make this an insecure world." Hmm ... Javed Akhtar should be more concerned about Pakistan's recent decision to rescind his visa than about George W. Bush, particularly as he and his wife have made many overtures for closer ties with Pakistan.

I have a hard time believing that Aasish changed his name out of fear in the post-9/11 environment. Changing his name doesn't change his complexion or ethnic origins. He has upset his father and will probably incur the wrath of Muslims for his decision.

BTW Aasish is not the first member of his family to change his name from Muslim to Hindu. His aunt became Annapurna Devi, Ravi Shankar's first wife.

Categories: Music, Hindustani