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Hans India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Shaik Mahaboob Subhani: A maestro of strings weaving Carnatic soul, cinematic magic
From the culturally rich soil of Ongole in Andhra Pradesh, emerges a musical phenomenon, Shaik Mahaboob Subhani. A name synonymous with power, energy, and an unparalleled mastery of string instruments, Subhani stands as a towering figure in the Carnatic music landscape and a vital force in the Indian film industry. His journey is a testament to unwavering dedication, a profound lineage, and an insatiable quest for musical excellence. Subhani's roots run deep within a family steeped in musical tradition. He is the distinguished grandson of Nadabrahma, Nadaswara Vidwan Throvagunta Shaik Hassan Saheb, a revered guru to none other than the Padma Sri Dr Sheik China Moulana. This profound lineage places Subhani as a proud inheritor of the 'Sisya Parampara' of the great Vaggeyakara 'Sri Tyagaraja Swamy,' one of the revered Trinity of Carnatic Classical Music. His formative years were marked by an intensive decade-long tutelage under his grandfather, Throvagunta Shaik Hassan Saheb, and his father, Nadaswara Vidwan Throvagunta Shaik Kasmur Mastan Saheb, an esteemed AIR artist. Even at the zenith of his illustrious career, Subhani's thirst for knowledge remains unquenched, as he continues to seek guidance from a diverse array of instrumental and vocal maestros. A career defined by brilliance and versatility SM Subhani's concert career blossomed at the tender age of eight, performing alongside his grandfather and father. His vibrant performances, infused with a rich imagination and a seamless blend of tradition and modernity, have captivated audiences across India and internationally. His music possesses an endearing quality, forging an instant connection with listeners from all walks of life. Subhani has graced numerous temples, sabhas, and cultural events with solo, duet, and trio concerts, often alongside his revered gurus. He is a regular feature in premier organisations, Sabhas, and TV channels, tirelessly promoting Carnatic music globally. At the age of 14, he was featured as a child musician on All India Radio Vijayawada. He later became 'Strings Subhani,' a leading string instrumental player in the South Indian film industry, proficient in over ten string instruments including Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo, Bouzouki, Saz, Pipa, and Ukulele, alongside Flute and Harmonium. For over a decade, Subhani has been an indispensable strings contributor to the teams of celebrated music directors such as AR Rahman, Mani Sharma, MM Keeravani, Devi Sri Prasad, Chakri, Harris Jai Raj, Anirudh Ravichander, SS Thaman, Anup Rubens, D Imman, Ghibran, GV Prakash, Vishal Chandrasekhar, Ravi Basrur, Arjun Janya, Hari Krishna, Gopi Sunder, Justin Varghese, and Mickey J Meyer, contributing to over 1200 films across Tollywood, Kollywood, Sandalwood, and Bollywood. His international performances include shows with NATA (North America Telugu Association), Ugadi Special 8 Events in 8 Cities across the USA, and various musical performances at AATA, TANA (United States of America), Dubai, Sharjah, and Kuwait. Subhani's strings contributions have been instrumental in the success of recent Indian blockbusters such as Ala Vaikunthapuramulo, KGF, Mersal, Bheemla Nayak, Uppena, Ponniyan Selvan, Guntur Karam, Jersey, RRR, Pushpa, Sachin, Amar Singh Chamkila, Sita Ramam, Akhanda, Manam, Viswaroopam, Salaar, The Goat Life, Baahubali, Magadheera, and Rangasthalam. His mandolin strings BGM for the National Award-winning song 'Samaja Varagamana' from Ala Vaikunthapuramuloo is legendary. He has also lent his talent to other renowned songs like 'Nee Kannu Neeli Samudram' (UPPENA), 'Dosthi' (RRR), 'Prapanchamey Ela' (Jersey), and 'O Seetha' (Sita Ramam). Beyond the film industry, Subhani continues to perform classical concerts for prestigious Sabhas worldwide and has collaborated with eminent artists like Padma Sri Drums Sivamani for captivating fusion concerts. He had the privilege of performing a Mandolin concert at the Krishnaveni Sangeetha Neerajanam festival in Vijayawada, conducted by the esteemed 'Sangetha Nataka Academy' in December 2024. He also had the esteemed opportunity to perform at the 178th Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana Utsavam in Thiruvarur, celebrating the legacy of Sri Thyagaraja Swamy. His concerts have graced renowned Sabhas like Vignan Samithi (Hyderabad), Visakha Music Academy (Visakhapatnam), Kaviti Thyagaraja Aradhana, Arasavalli Suryadevalayam, Srikakulam IIIT, Guntur Thyagaraja Aradhana, Kakinada Surya Kala Mandhir, Bhimavaram Thyagaraja Aradhana, Guntur Mahila Mandali Thyagaraja Aradhana, and Nellore Music Festival. His performances extend to Kaiwaram Thathayya Aaradhanotsavam (Bangalore), Subah-e-Benares (Varanasi), Puttaparthi Sathya Sai Seva Samithi (Puttaparthi & Hyderabad), Sri Kanchi Kama Koti Peetam, and Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple Syamasastry National Music Festival. Subhani's talent has been consistently recognised with accolades. He was awarded the National 1st prize in the National Youth Festivals in 2005 for Carnatic Guitar and the National 2nd Prize in the National Youth Festival in 2006 for Carnatic Flute. In 2010, he secured the State level 1st place in three categories: Carnatic Guitar, Flute, and Harmonium, at the Andhra Pradesh state youth Awards. Shaik Mahaboob Subhani is more than a musician; he is a living embodiment of musical heritage and a vibrant force shaping the soundscape of Indian cinema. His dedication, versatility, and profound connection to both classical and contemporary forms of music make him a truly exceptional artist, whose melodies will resonate for generations to come.
Miami Herald
06-03-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
At FIU Ramadan dinner, Muslims and other faiths gather to share food, fellowship
Many were there to break their day of holy fasting. Others came to share a meal, catch up with friends, new and old, and most important, build connections across religious lines. The Wednesday night occasion was Florida International University's Ramadan dinner, an annual affair that drew 250 people of various faith backgrounds — Muslims, Jews, Catholics, among others . The interfaith gathering was held in observance of Ramadan, the holiest month for believers of Islam. Muslims fast from sun up to sun down during the month then nourish themselves at nightly 'iftar' dinners. Though usually held at a mosque or home, the university's iftar (hosted with support from the Jaffer Center for Muslim World Studies) allowed for non-Muslims — including FIU students and faculty — to join in on the tradition. 'We get to share in this one special time which is the breaking of the fast, our iftar dinner,' said Dr. Mohamed Ghumrawi, assistant director of the Jaffer Center for Muslim World Studies at FIU. 'The way we fast is different, but in almost every faith there's some sort of fast tradition. For Muslims, it becomes this very joyous experience.' After those observing Ramadan broke their fast with a date, some fruit and water, Ghumrawi led all attendees in a traditional Maghrib, or sunset, prayer. Then, dinner was served. 'I like to come here every year because I see all different faiths, nationalities ... it's a very special place to be,' said Khalid Mirza, president of UHI Community Care Clinic. 'It's very encouraging seeing other faiths get together and celebrating Ramadan, the most religious month for us as Muslims.' Why do Muslims fast? During her keynote address, Dr. Aisha Subhani turned heads by declaring 'We are overweight people.' What Subhani, who is the vice president of Islamic school Zaytuna College, meant was that many people carry a lot of psychological weight in the form of the daily responsibilities. A busy schedule coupled with technology that allows us to constantly be available can weigh on people, she said. 'Life is supposed to be easier, but we're busier. We're measured by productivity,' she said. Fasting is a way to detox from the trivial and focus on the important things in life, she said. 'The nice thing about Ramadan is that it allows you to prioritize what's important ... to put those things that are important in front of you. God, family, community,' Subhani said. 'Everything else can wait.' So why do Muslims get so excited about Ramadan? Subhani asked. It seems difficult, to those outside of the faith. Fasting can help discipline people, and bring them a 'heightened spiritual awareness.' But, it's also a holiday that unites the faithful. 'It's about community. It's about a gathering of people and hearts. It's about getting away from all of the distractions,' she said. 'It's about helping one another.' At one table, two high school students from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, a prestigious all-girls Catholic school in Coconut Grove, ate plates of halal chicken, Mediterranean rice and salad while chatting about their views on religion. Carolina Rhodes, 17, pointed out some commonalities between Catholicism and Islam. 'I never realized how many similarities there are. We have a season of fasting too, lent, that just started today,' Rhodes said, still bearing the black ash on her forehead from Ash Wednesday mass earlier that day. 'It's a season of repentance to celebrate the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert,' she said. Andrea Lara, 17, described herself as 'culturally Catholic' but not spiritual. Still, she said she enjoys learning about other religions and how they influence people. She learned that night, for example, that Ramadan also has a component of charitable giving. 'It can just make you so much more understanding of people. It helps you understand yourself better,' Lara said. 'Recognizing similarities between people helps you feel connected and I feel like that prevents conflicts.' The high schoolers didn't attend on their own. They were accompanied by their world of religion teacher, Paola Bernardini, who encourages — and requires to some extent — her students to experience a religious tradition outside of their own. She said the communal iftar dinner is one of many ways to bring what the students are learning in class to life. 'I think that the personal encounter helps to understand 'the other' better, than simply learning about it from books,' said Bernardini. 'Other faith traditions may seem very foreign and strange but when you start meeting people, the shared humanity and similarities come to the forefront.' This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
