Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is the world’s acknowledged master of the sarod, the small string instrument known for the resonant and nearly vocal qualities it brings to Indian classical music. A prolific composer of ragas, or traditional melodies, Khan’s exquisite music crosses cultural barriers, seamlessly blending Indian traditions with other musical influences.
Famous for his elegant style and technique, he has breathed a new life into an ancient form.”
He was all of 6 years old when Ustad Amjad Ali Khan gave his first recital of Sarod. It was the beginning of yet another glorious chapter in the history of Indian classical music. Taught by his father Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was born to the illustrious Bangash lineage rooted in the Senia Bangash School of music. Today he shoulders the sixth generation of inheritance in this legendary lineage.
Shiv and I suddenly decided to go for the show presuming that ample tickets should be easily available as this being Thursday was obviously a working day. As we reached multistoried Parking lot, we saw people rushing towards the Bankhead Theater across the street. Huge black and white posters of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan were displayed at above 10 ft level on the front side of the theater.
We saw a middle aged white man just flagging a ticket in his fingers and asked us if they wanted a free ticket, we jumped to grab this one and thanked him for this wonderful gesture. In mean time we found lot of people all races walking hurriedly towards the gate. Anyway, we proceeded to the ticket counter to buy the second ticket. There were no tickets available. All sold out! But a young Indian guy Mandar Khoje came running to return one ticket which he could not use. He turned towards us and offered the ticket, which we gladly accepted. He would not, however, take money from us. We thanked him too. He turned out to be an ammateur Sitar player besides being a technologist.
Having got the tickets, we happily entered the hall and to our pleasant surprise met the family of Mr Anant Bir Singh and Mrs Savnit Kaur who also goes to our Hayward Gurdwara every Sunday. The family occupying the middle of the front row were all excited along with their two teenage sons Avneet Singh and Hardit Singh who are also pursuing music in their school bands in Livermore, Ca.
It was thrilling to have music loving people all arround in a hall packed full.
The Artists leaving the stage after scintilating performance
Mr Amjad Ali Khan started with a popular Bhajan 'Vaishnav Jan to....' followed by equally popular composition of Ranindranath Tagore called 'Ekla Chalo re'. He presented excellent Taraanas which kept the packed audience spell bound even on a week day that too in far corner of East Bay in Livermore Valley Performing Center.
It was a befitting finale by trio - Dad and Sons Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan.
Ustad Khan has recently been awarded 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award. 20 August is celebrated as harmony day, the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi. Khan received the Padma Shri in 1975, the Padma Bhushan in 1991, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001, and was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 1989 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for 2011.[1][2] He was awarded the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2004.[3] The U.S. state Massachusetts proclaimed 20 April as Amjad Ali Khan Day in 1984.[4] Khan was made an honorary citizen of Houston, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee, in 1997, and of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2007.[4]He received the Banga-Vibhushan in 2011.[5] Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, who has shared his rich experience in Indian classical music in classes across the West, will now teach for a quarter (three months) at Stanford University, this course will have lessons on Sarod as well.
Shiv's Guru son Mr Rakesh Prasanna has been closely associated with Ustad Khan and his sons. About seven years back, Amaan and Ayaan were performing along with Rakesh Prasanna in a private gathering which Shiv and Shilpy happened to attend in San Francisco city. Mr Rakesh Prasanna introduced both of them to Shiv and brothers were glad to know that Shiv was also into Music. This time, as Shiv sneaked into the green room, Ayaan immediately recognized him and took him to introduce to Matero Amjad Ali Khan. Ustad Khan promised to meet Shiv next time in September when he will have lot more time. Shiv also presented his latest CD 'Sparkling Stars' to the Ustad Sahib.
Last time about 25 years ago, I and Harvinder happened to meet Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his wife in the wedding of daughter of my cousin late Mr Harish Khanna, the then DG Doordarshan, New Delhi.
We are looking forward to meet them again in person soon.
5 comments:
Thanks Preet Mohan Ji, You are adding a lot of the joy in the world.
Dr Ranjit S Oberoi.
Glad to know you remember my name :)
Glad you remember my name :)
It's my pleasure, Sir.
Thanks!
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