Indian classical sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan says he hid identity to survive in Dhaka

Renowned Indian classical sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan has spoken in detail about the circumstances that led him to say, “No Indian is safe in Dhaka,” revealing that the statement stemmed from a frightening first hand experience during his recent visit to Bangladesh amid widespread unrest.

The Kolkata based musician, who belongs to the legendary Maihar gharana and is the grandson of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and great grandson of Baba Allauddin Khan, had travelled to Dhaka on December 16 to perform at multiple cultural events. While he successfully participated in a jazz concert in the Banani area, his much anticipated classical recital at the iconic cultural institution Chhayanaut was abruptly cancelled. Hours before the scheduled performance, the venue was vandalised and partially set ablaze, with instruments and property damaged, sending shockwaves through the artistic community.

The incident took place during a volatile period marked by protests and violence following the death of radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Shiraz Ali Khan said the atmosphere in the city changed rapidly, creating fear among artists and visitors. According to him, the situation on the streets felt increasingly hostile , particularly for Indians, making even routine movement feel risky. He stressed that his comment was not aimed at ordinary citizens but reflected the tense ground reality he personally faced at that moment.

Fearing further escalation, the sarod maestro decided to leave Bangladesh earlier than planned. During his journey to the airport, he concealed his Indian nationality, avoided openly displaying his passport, and spoke in a local Brahmanbaria dialect to blend in and avoid suspicion at checkpoints. His phone and documents were kept out of sight until he reached a safer zone. Shiraz later said that being forced to hide his identity simply to stay alive was deeply traumatic and something he had never imagined experiencing as an artist.

Although he returned safely to Kolkata on December 20, the episode left a lasting impact. Some accompanying musicians, including his tabla accompanist, remained in Bangladesh, and he refrained from naming them due to safety concerns. Known and respected in Bangladesh’s classical music circles because of his family’s deep historical ties to the region, Shiraz has performed there many times in the past to celebrate shared cultural heritage. However, he has now said he will not return until there are clear assurances regarding the safety of artists and protection of cultural spaces.

Calling the attack on Chhayanaut an assault on culture itself, Shiraz Ali Khan warned that such incidents threaten decades of artistic exchange between India and Bangladesh. His words have since sparked widespread debate about the safety of Indian nationals and cultural ambassadors during periods of political and social unrest.