A conversation about Indian classical music is incomplete without the mention of Pandit Jasraj, one of India’s top classical musicians who represents the Mewati style of Hindustani classical music.
The 83-year-old, who will perform in Dubai on Saturday as part of the Emirates NBD’s classical concert series, says his musical journey began with his father teaching him music when he was 3 years old. Jasraj gave his first public performance at the age of 22, after being trained by his brother Maniram. Jasraj’s vocal range extends three-and-a-half octaves. The musician notably contributed vocals to the 2012 film Life of Pi.
How did you get inducted into the Mewati gharana (musical house or family)?
This is a tradition that has been passed on from generation to generation. It isn’t just taught to family members but to students who continue the tradition. The teaching creates a sacred bond between the pupil and teacher. I am from the fifth generation continuing in this musical house.
You are credited for presenting rare ragas in performances. How do you come up with them?
I am often commended for being a creator, which is not right. There are only a set number of ragas to work with such as Gyankali, Jaiwanti Todi and Nanak Malhar. With them I have developed bandishes [compositions] that are an inspiration from God.
Can you tell us how you came up with the Jasrangi Jugalbandi?
Everything in this world is a collaboration of two things. Like husband and wife, Shiva and Parvati [Hindu male and female deities], the land and sky, sun and moon; they have to be together to make perfect sense. Jasrangi is a jugalbandi between a male and female singer, where each of them sing in their respective swar [note], but together. It is from the ancient method Moorchana Paddhati, creating different ragas from same sequence of notes. My heart told to me follow that route and create this jugalbandi where two diverse ragas come together beautifully.
When did you first perform this and how did the name come about?
It was first performed on stage in Pune in the 1990s by Sanjeev Abhyankar and Shweta Jay, and I picked up quite quickly as people began appreciating it. But I had not named it. When my friend Meena Phalnikar heard it, she said: “Mujhe toh Jasraj ke rang mein rangi hui lagti hai” [It is mixed with the colours of Jasraj] and started calling it Jasrangi. The name stuck. It is now sung at various shows in Canada and America by my students.
Do you think today’s generation is attuned to classical music and understands the significance of gharanas?
All music originates from classical music. Only the most fortunate understand it.
Who will be accompanying you on stage in Dubai?
I do not believe in rehearsal and neither do I think [about] who will be accompanying me on the tabla or the harmonium. Whoever is available at that time, we will get together and make music. That is the beauty of Indian music – an extempore performance creates the most powerful music.
What compositions can the audience expect at the show?
The audience will have to wait and see what we create there. My music is atmospheric and depends on the setting and mood. The aim will be to create music that will touch their hearts.
Mewati music
The Mewati gharana (musical house or family) was founded by Ghagge Nazir Khan and his brother Wahid Khan from the Mewat region in Rajasthan. Over the years, they passed on the nuances of the vocal and instrumental style to their family members and disciples. The music comes from the Khayal genre, which emphasises improvisation. It is distinct from other variants of the genre in its bhajan (devotional songs) and Sufi feel.
•Jasraj performs at Ductac on Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are from Dh100. For more information, call 04 341 4777
aahmed@thenational.ae
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EMen%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Saif%20Al%20Zaabi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Zayed%20Al%20Ansaari%2C%20Saud%20Abdulaziz%20Rahmatalla%2C%20Adel%20Shanbih%2C%20Ahmed%20Khamis%20Al%20Blooshi%2C%20Abdalla%20Al%20Naqbi%2C%20Khaled%20Al%20Hammadi%2C%20Mohammed%20Khamis%20Khalaf%2C%20Mohammad%20Fahad%2C%20Abdulla%20Al%20Arimi.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWomen%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mozah%20Al%20Zeyoudi%2C%20Haifa%20Al%20Naqbi%2C%20Ayesha%20Al%20Mutaiwei.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May
Brief scores:
Huesca 0
Real Madrid 1
Bale 8'
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
