MASTER OF SAROD-AMJAD ALI KHAN - Page 3

Originally posted by: soulsoup

Areee Vinnie - dheere yaar - light speed me posting kar rahi hai 😆😆😆
Padneka mouka toh de 😛

J/K - thanks for opening the thread.😊

Here you go - "Raga Bhairav" by Ustad Ali Khan to brighten up every-ones morning on your side of the world : 😊 http://rapidshare.de/files/26290259/Raga_Bhairav.mp3

thanx a lot for link anol😊

Amjad Ali Khan

Born in 1945 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Amjad Ali Khan learnt the Sarod from his father Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, an illustrious representative of the Senia gharana and among the earliest fellows of the Akademi. He began performing in public while still in his teens and established himself soon as an instrumentalist of exceptional ability. He has evolved a style which is conventional in technique but highly individual in spirit.

Among our foremost Sarod players today, Ustad amjad Ali Khan has performed extensively at home and abroad since the 1960s. He has introduced innovations in classical music and besides composed vocal and orchestral music for children. Among the many gramophone records and cassettes he has issued are those specially for the popularization of classical music among children. He is guru to several musicians of the younger generation players of Sarod and sitar.

Among other honours, he received the UNESCO Award in 1970 and the Padma Shri in 1975. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Hindustani Instrumental music in 1989.

source:www.indiaarts.com

Amjad Ali Khan Profile


Today, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is one of the most distinguished and successful musicians in the world of Indian classical music. His name has become synonymous with the Sarod and his unique style of playing has made the instrument far more appealing to a wider audience throughout the world. Born on October 9th, 1945, he is the son and disciple of the legendary Hafiz Ali Khan. He hails from a family of distinguished musicians who invented the Sarod, the present day modification of the ancient Rabab
(An Afghan Folk Instrument). Today, he shoulders the sixth generation inheritance of the 'Senia Bangash School' which traces its roots to the to great Mian Tansen. Amjad Ali Khan has undoubtedly added a new dimension to the repertoire of the Sarod. Within the discipline of classical tradition, his innovations have created change in the styles and technique and breathed a new life into an ancient form.

His collaborations include a piece composed for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, duets with Charley Byrd, Igor Frolov, Glenda Simpson and Barry Mason. He has been a visiting professor at the University of Yorkshire and New Mexico. In addition, one of his recent CDs titled ' Bhairav ' had been voted among the best 50 classical albums of the world for the year 1995 announced in the BBC Magazine .

He is a recipient of the UNESCO Award, Padma Bhushan, Unicef's National Ambassadorship, the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum , Honorary Doctorate by the University of York, England. His two sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, have already been introduced to the concert platform. They are the seventh generation in the family to continue the Sarod tradition.

source:www.icmschicago.org

INDIA: Amjad Ali Khan received French Arts Award



Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has been awarded the title of 'Commander of Arts and Letters' by the French Government. This is in recognition of Indian Classical Music abroad.

The sarod maestro has had a long relationship with France for more than 30 years and has garnered much respect from the French public. French Ambassador Dominique Girard presented him with the award. Khan said that he had played many times in France and each time it had been a memorable experience.

Khan said that it was a big privilege and honour to get love and respect from a foreign country as that it was symbolic of Indian music and especially Sarod getting recognised abroad. His latest performance in France was in a month-long international festival of music and he was surprised by the interest and appreciation shown by the French audience.

Amjad Ali Khan is the most renowned and acclaimed master of the Sarod. Most widely known player of this 'guitar' like Indian instrument, Khan celebrated 50 years of performing in 2002. He dedicated his award to his father and guru Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan Sahab and other maestros of Indian classical music and stressed that he was not an entertainer but "a humble representative of a long legacy of Indian classical music."


source:goldbergweb.com

WHEN MUSIC CARESSES CELESTIAL REALMS

At a rare arts and culture offering over the weekend, the world-acclaimed Sarod (an Indian stringed instruments much like the Indian Sitar) Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan accompanied by his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Tabla (Indian drums) players Vineet Vyas and Shubhankar Banerjee, and Lalitha Venktaramani on the Tanpura, gave a stunning performance at The Christel DeHaan Performing Arts Center on the campus of University of Indianapolis.



I am not a music critic. I am offering my personal impressions and reflections of an unforgettable evening:

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan transformed the space into a sacred sanctuary thrilling the spell-bound hearts of the packed house with a soulful ecstasy. As if in a meditative trance, and with a masterful touch, the Maestro let his fingers orchestrate the strings to sing, interpret, and embellish the ancient classical Indian Ragas (musical patterns) and two familiar prayer songs.

He began the concert with a deeply moving and original rendition of "Vaishnav Jana To Tane Re Kahaiye Je Pir Parayee Jane Re." That was followed by a magnificent offering in Raag Durga. Then, his two sons, the brilliant and gifted brothers Amaan and Ayaan showed their magnificent skills on the Sarod in Raag Kosi Kanra to the accompaniment of Tabla and Tanpura. Their style, technique, and artistic creativity mesmerized the audience. They display great authority, exuberant energy, and impressive stage presence.

Ustad Khan returned and together they offered a rendition of the Bengali song "Jo Dee Dakshnay To Na" by India's great sage, poet-laureate, humanitarian, and musical genius, Rabindranath Tagore. Together they sparkled, charming the listeners into unimagined emotional heights and delightful crescendos giving a measure of their awesome talent.

Throughout the nearly two hour long concert, there were standing ovations as Khan Sahib entered the Hall and at the end of the Concert. There were several spontaneous thunderous applauses at various points when the audience felt especially moved by the performance of the Sarod protgs and the Tabla masters. Individually and together, the elegant and unassuming Maestro and his accomplished sons Amaan and Ayann, and the tabla players Shubhankar and Vineet created timeless and amazing music with their absolute mastery over their instruments.

The Sarod Maestro sat on a raised platform in his deep green Kurta Pyjama. He rested the head of his beautiful Sarod that resembles an ancient Afghani Rabab but has nineteen strings on his right thigh with his left leg crossing underneath. His outstretched right foot stayed covered with an embroidered shawl. After adjusting his instrument to the right Raga and rhythm, he brought forth masterfully a rich spectrum of sounds: human voice, booming, resonating, reverberating, barely audible, and musical mosaics that repeatedly transported our spirit to celestial realms.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's inventive genius has added new Ragas: musical patterns and enriched the Indian classical and the world of music. He breathes new life into the strings. Music in his soul and fingers seem to honor the Master. I imagined him performing before the gods and at the Highest Court making his music offerings and adding to the sanctity and spirit of ecstasy of the holy gathering. There was playfulness and intense concentration, faint ripples and rushing musical waves, perfect symphonic harmony and individual displays of unique talents. There is an aura of divine light when he plays. Ustad Khan transcends into the amazing realms and depths of music and brings forth music of superb beauty and serene splendor. He is a cultural treasure and goodwill ambassador; a celebrated icon of hope and friendship. He reminds us that humanity's difference and divides have a universal bridge in music, dance, culture, arts, and matters of spirit. He uplifts and directs our spirit and sights towards the divine within and all around.

As I listened in awe and reverence, I had the feeling that his music was stirring and awakening emotions and cultural memories within that I did not know existed and connecting me to generations and times of long ago. Waves of sounds were emanating from the strings of Sarod as if they were under his powerful spell and in total obedience and joyful surrender filing past my senses in a colorful and dazzling procession of echoes and images. His slightest gesture of hand, head movement, glance signaled others to follow and showcase their skills with pleasure.

The Maestro reminded his audience that "Sound is God" and the "music has no religion." The Sikh scriptures and other sacred traditions affirm that sentiment as Shabd-Guru and reveal that there is celestial music resonating throughout the unfathomable heavens. During the concert, it seemed as if a little of that heavenly music, celestial energy, temporal passion, sensual pleasure, and intense ecstasy had descended into the performing hall.

Now, imagine all of that creativity from memory and spirit-guided. There is no written music. It was breath-taking, inspirational and transforming experience to treasure.


Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, a seventh-generation illustrious musician, has been enthralling audiences since the age of six. Today, achieving unimagined heights and perfection, he is among the venerated world cultural "ambassadors." Recipient of many prestigious honors, including the UNESCO Award, Padma Vibushan (highest Indian civilian awards), the "Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters" by the French Government, and the15th Fukuoka Asian Culture Grand Prize, Khan has given brilliant performances at world famous events: Edinburgh Music Festival, Carnegie Hall, World Arts Summit in Venice, and World Festival of Sacred Music with His Holiness the Dali Lama. His humility, humanity, elegance of spirit and graciousness, and incredible music offer us a glimpse of beauty and splendor personified.

The concert was organized by the India Association of Indianapolis under the leadership of its President, Mr. Haresh Gangwani with Ms. Archana Thaker serving as the Event Coordinator. The Concert sponsors included Tata Consultancy Services, University of Indianapolis, IUPUI, India Studies Program, Indiana University, International Center of Indianapolis, Lilly India Network, and Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Jaipal Singh and Mr. Subhash Mahajan served as Program Co-Chairs. Mr. Arun Kumar, Consul General of India was in attendance and addressed the gathering at dinner that followed the concert.

Kanwal Prakash "KP" Singh
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
www.kpsinghdesigns.com

Amjed Ali Khan


A musical tradition kept alive. India's greatest living sarod player, Amjad Ali Khan, keeps alive a powerful family tradition deep in the heart of India.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan belongs to the sixth generation of a famous dynasty of musicians who for centuries worked for the royal family at Gwalior, where he was born. The Khan family has maintained a classical musical tradition which goes back to the court musicians of the Mughal Empire. Amjad Ali Khan is one of the finest contemporary exponents of the sarod, an instrument which members of his family have over the years developed and perfected. He himself has composed many new ragas, and also added new forms to the sarod's repertoire, including some drawn from folk music.

Amjad Ali Khan founded the Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Memorial Society in memory of his father,
which works to propogate Indian classical music throughout the continent, and especially
to encourage young talent. His two young sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash who will perform with him at the Royal Festival Hall on 18 February are already highly accomplished sarod players as well as being well known for their presentation of the enormously popular TV music show Sa Re Ga Ma.

Sarod Ghar

The Sarod Ghar is dedicated to keeping alive a musical tradition

By Daniel Lak in Gwalior

Deep in the heart of India, in the medieval city of Gwalior, is a unique museum inspired by an ancient tradition. It is the ancestral home of one of India's leading musical families, descendants of wandering musicians from Afghanistan.Here one of India's greatest living musicians, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and his two sons are keeping alive a powerful musical tradition. The museum is called sarod ghar. "Ghar" is house in Hindi and a "sarod" is a six stringed musical instrument, perhaps the most melodic in north Indian or Hindustani classical music.

"I saw the Beethoven museum at his house in Germany. I was there with my wife and we were very impressed," says Amjad Ali Khan. "I tried to think if we had anything similar in India and we didn't. So we started this sarod ghar," he added.

Father to son: Amjad and his two sons, Ameen and Ayaan are the sixth and seventh generations of respected classical musicians to come from their family. It is not simple being father and teacher at the same time Amjad Ali Khan's Indian classical music demands an almost religious devotion to the teacher, and that's no easier, says Amjad, when you're related to your pupils.

"Father to son, it's handed down. I didn't force them and I'm happy they have taken to music," he said.

"But it is not simple being father and teacher at the same time," he added.

At an annual awards ceremony in Gwalior, in the name of the great maestro's father, a rare award is given to a foreign national. Gwalior is their ancestral home

Dr Neil Saurav, of York University in Britain, has been teaching and playing Indian classical music for more than 30 years. "When I started it was at the tail end of the infamous 60s. Indian music was popular then for all the wrong reasons and everyone said it would die out," Dr Saurav said. "It did. But now people are very serious about learning how to play Indian music and my course is a very popular class," he said.

Classical tradition

Listening to the soaring vocals of singer Shubha Mudgal at the awards ceremony, you understood how it takes decades to learn the raags, the often improvised runs of notes, and the set rhythms or taals that make Indian classical music unique. If you want discipline and beauty and are prepared to surrender to God, then there is only Indian classical music

Amjad Ali Khan admitted that the demands of time and discipline of such music are very much at odds with the breathless pace of modern life.

"Nowadays, people are looking for shortcuts to everything, but if you want purity of notes, if you want discipline and beauty and are prepared to surrender to God, then there is only Indian classical music," he said.

Carrying on the family tradition

"People who aren't prepared to give everything to God and to the music should not learn this art," Amjad Ali Khan said.

In concert, Amjad and his sons grin and encourage each other to greater and greater heights of virtuosity - a far cry from the often solemn onstage presence of other Indian musicians. This family is living proof that things can change yet maintain the traditions of the past. The two boys are committed to their family museum as much as their father, and they plan to keep playing together for as long as they can.



www.gwaliorworld.com

In Confluence - Meeting of Minds and Melodies

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Girija Devi, two of the greatest Indian classical music exponents of modern times combine to highlight the beauty of Thumri music. Following this unique collaboration and to cement their intimate musical bond, Girija Devi tied a rakhee to Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's wrist, in a recreation of the Indian tradition whereby a sister ties a sacred thread to her brother's wrist.

www.sonarupa.co.uk

Originally posted by: soulsoup

I am fortunate to listen to him live – at Dover lane – both of his sons were teens then. Not only his mesmerizing music, his humble nature and subtle sense of humor are just superb. 😊

It was a whole night program – he started around 10pm, after Pt. Chourasia. After midnight, the front VIP rows were almost empty. During a break he said – "aree hum itna kharab baja rahe hai ke aaploog itna door chale geye?". 😆😆 Me along with my friends rushed to the front row and occupied those immediately!

i feel people doing that is an insult to music .Half of the time the VIP seats are covered by people who either don't understand music or have no respect for the musicians.Sorry just my opinion

It was so nice of you guys to rush and occupy seats😊