Zila Khan, one of the top women Sufi singers in the country is launching an album 'Zila, the girl child' on the Saregama label on 8 March 2008.

The album talks about various emotions of a woman, including her sensuality.

Khan is the seventh generation of an unbroken line in what is the oldest school (or Gharana) of Sitar and Surbahar in India, the daughter of the incomparable sitar maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan.

Zila is the one and only singer in the Imdad Khani Gharana and she is the first woman from the family to have been empowered to sing in public. In a chat with Radioandmusic.com's Shabana Ali, Khan shares her experience and thoughts in making her new album Zila, the girl child.

Excerpts:

What is the album about?

The album is named Zila, the girl child and it talks about the various emotions of a woman. This album comprises compositions by women poets and it also comprises the kalma, dua and lyrics of Hasrat Rabia Basri who was the first sufi woman singer, whom society never spoke about.

Why did you choose to make your album on such a topic?

Society has never talked about the first women sufi singers, so I decided to do it myself. I belive that I am blessed by God and that the Almighty gave me the power to bring her work into the knowledge of people.

How long did it take you to come up with this album?

I was blessed that I could get possession of the compositions of Hasrat Rabia Basri. I got the 'kalma', 'dua' and lyrics, which were written in Arabic. I had to send it to a very good friend of mine who is a scholar and he helped me to translate this work into Urdu. This took me one and a half years to come up with the album.

Why did you launch it with Saregama music?

When I approached Saregama, they were very enthusiastic and wanted to release the songs on their label. Besides, my father and my grandfather had also worked with them earlier.

Who has been your inspiration and support in this field?

God has always been my support for everything I did. My father has also always been an inspiration throughout. Otherwise, it's sheer talent, hard work and 'riyaz' that has made me what I am and of course, the 'dua' of well wishers which has brought me to such heights.

How difficult has it been for you to make a career as you are the first woman from your family to sing publicly?

Struggle and success, jealousy and adulation, privilege and hard work are all part of life. It has been my thought process which has got me to these heights.

What does music mean to you and how do you use it?

Music is my life. It is simple, honest and beautiful and I always search myself in it. It is exactly what I am and what I want to be.