Healer brings music as medicine
ANJUMARA Khan, a Cape Townbased singer and healer, fittingly stages her latest and most challenging musical production, Mehfil – E – Yaaraan (Gathering of Friends), during August, a month dedicated to the celebration of women.
The concert, promising a sensory delight for connoisseurs of Indian music, is scheduled for August 25 at the Baxter Concert Hall, starting at 7.30pm.
Khan spoke about the motivation behind the concert and her journey leading up to it.
“It was never a driving ambition to be a singer but it does appear that the universe kept giving me a kick in that direction every so often,” she said.
“I regard myself as a healer first and foremost and I have finally embraced my singing talent as simply one more healing modality.”
She has been singing since the 1980s in various community-oriented shows backed by promoters including the Rylands Cultural Association, and with her long- time friend, Flamenco guitarist Bienyameen Camroodien, who also appears on this show. Khan is a holistic therapist specialising in alternative medicine.
“This concert was inspired by my late cousin who always wanted me to explore my singing, in particular going to Mumbai and working with artists there,” said Khan.
“What started out as a tribute has evolved into something far greater than I had envisioned.”
Khan spoke about the challenges she faced as a female artiste, “I was shocked to find that prejudice is still rife against women… I have been hit on, talked down to, lied to and been blatantly ignored with utter disrespect… I have had many obstacles to overcome and learnt much in the process.”
Appearing on the bill are Camroodien, an award-winning flamenco guitarist; Sandra Kettle, an experienced classical pianist; and Bollywood composer, Vaswani, who is trained in Western and semiclassical Indian music.
Tickets: www.webtickets.co.za