Indian Classic Music A Way of life

Amjad Ali Khan is one of the undisputed masters of the music world. For many, he takes on a celestial avatar when he is playing the Sarod. Born to Sarod icon Ustad Haafiz Ali khan of the Bangash lineage rooted in the Senia Gharana, Khan gave his first performance at the age of six. Over the course of his career, he has delivered his music in a flexible instrument line that is vocal in its expressiveness. He has reinvented the technique of Sarod playing which today is distinct in its nomenclature. He has won numerous accolades including a Grammy nomination, the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum and has performed at venues world over like the Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. Married to Subhalakshmi Khan, his sons, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan, are also very talented and celebrated Sarod players.

Amaan Ali Khan A young talent of the seventh generation in an unbroken chain of the Senia Bangash School, Amaan Ali Khan, is the eldest son and disciple of the Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan and grandson of Haafiz Ali Khan. Initiated into the fine art of Sarod playing at a very tender age, he began his public performances as early as eight.Today, Amaan is considered as one of the finest Sarod players and has obtained a very special place for himself among music enthusiasts across the world. He is an inspiration for the younger generation of musicians. He continues to enchant audiences with his virtuosity, sheer brilliance and charismatic stage presence Amaan recently performed at Stanford University’s Dinkelspiel Auditorium at the end of his father’s Stanford University residency. Earlier this year Ananta Opus 195, a concerto for sarod, symphonic and electronic orchestra written by Pierre Thilloy and performed by Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan with the Avignon Provence Symphonic Orchestra and the Kords Collective, conducted by Samuel Jean premiered in India. Amaan also presented his father’s Sarod Concerto Samaagam with the London Philharmonia Orchestra with conductor David Murphy this year.

Ayaan Ali Khan represents the seventh generation of a musical lineage known as the Senia Bangash School. The younger son and disciple of the Sarod Titan Amjad Ali Khan, Ayaan stepped into the world of music and the Sarod, at a very early age, with confidence, clarity, consistency and technical mastery that he learnt at his father's knee. Ayaan has been performing concerts in India and world –wide, since he gave his solo debut at the age of eight. He has given many other solo performances and also assisted his illustrious father at concerts all over the world.Over the years today, Ayaan has carved out a special niche for himself in the world of music. His approach, vision and versatility make him an icon for the youth in the music industry. His contribution in making the Sarod a cross-over instrument in a variety of genres has projected him as an artist of high repute.Earlier this year saw the premiere of Ananta Opus 195, a concerto for sarod, symphonic and electronic orchestra written by Pierre Thilloy and performed by Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan with the Avignon Provence Symphonic Orchestra and the Kords Collective, conducted by Samuel Jean premiered in India. Ayaan recently performed his father’s Sarod Concert Samaagam with the London Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by David Murphy.