Md. Shueb Chishti

A 24-years-old artist from Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Mohammad Shueb Chishti has been learning music through his ancestral legacy of Qawwali music. When he was a kid, he began to play the Dholak taking inspiration from his father, Azeez Chishti. He has been working hard towards achieving mastery in his craft and pursues it with soaring passion. He considers his father to be his biggest inspiration, and guru under whose guidance he first learned dholak, then when his father saw his progress, taught him vocals, and currently, he is giving lessons on how to play the harmonium. He speaks very highly of his teaching as well as achievements in the field of music. He also believes that music has been passed on to him from his ancestors, who have a natural desire for mastering the art of singing Qawwali and Sufi kalams. It is believed that their ancestors have been performing at the dargah of Baba Salim Chishti from the days of Akbar. He feels very strongly about his family’s musical heritage and wishes to the Qawwali music and the art of devotional Sufi music forward. He also explains that one of the reasons why chose to do music is to be there for their music and the heavy burden of keeping the legacy of his family alive along with his father, Azeez Chishti, who is also the Chief Qawwal of Salim Chishti Dargah. He also knows how to the dholak apart from singing Qawwali and along with his father has performed in various locations within the state and the country. He has received many laurels for brilliant performances at festivals and conventions in states like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore. He regards his performance at Amir Khusrow Seminar in Indira Gandhi Centre, Delhi, as the most memorable experience because they performed the rare Kalams of Amir Khusrow that are not available anywhere else. He lives in a big family of 10 people with his father, mother, four brothers, and three sisters. Thus, he had to work as a Tourist guide after completing his intermediate to make ends meet. But for the past six years, he is pursuing only music by accompanying his father. Currently, he is also managing his father’s group and helping them with shows and concerts. Despite the walks of life, he strives to keep developing his craft and dreams to keep pursuing music forever and aspires someday, in the future, to see himself succeed through the art that he treasures.

• Braj
• Uttar Pradesh