Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: I want sarod to be as popular as guitar

Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan would love to do music for movies if an out-of-the-box subject comes his way

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, with his sons, Amaan Ali Bangash (left) and Ayaan Ali Bangash who are also his disciples

He is synonymous with the sarod. Besides being a highly regarded musician, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is also a proud father and guru. His sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, are taking his legacy forward with utmost credibility. Ahead of his recital in the city this Sunday, we caught up with the sarod maestro to discuss his journey, film aspirations, and more. Excerpts from an interview.

With so many years of expertise in playing the sarod, do you feel you have achieved what you wanted to as an artiste?
To be a musician is a blessing, as you are not answerable to anyone but yourself. For those few hours when onstage, you are in a frenzy. It’s a blessing to be in a profession you love doing. I am glad that today, sarod has become a universally known Indian instrument. Even in the West, it’s a much-loved instrument. My family is on a collective mission to make it as popular as the guitar. Since childhood, I wanted the sarod to express the entire range of human emotions — to sing, shout, whisper and cry. It has been a long journey and by the benevolence of the heavens, the sarod has become far more expressive than it was 40 years ago.

Has the journey for Amaan and Ayaan been easier, considering they had a stalwart as their father?
For a lot of young people of India, Amaan and Ayaan have become role models. In fact, I have learnt a lot while teaching them. Fortunately, from the very beginning, their way of playing and approach to music was different. I never wanted to create two more Amjad Ali Khans. I feel blessed that as soloists or as a duo, they have carved a niche for themselves.

Have you ever been inclined towards Hindi film music?
I did appear as myself in Sai Paranjpye’s film, Sparsh (1980), starring Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah. However, with regard to music, no film offer appealed to me. If an offer comes up and I like the subject, it’ll be great to do films. It has to be out-of-the-box.

Are you working on any independent project?
I was honoured when the Scottish Chamber Orchestra approached me to write a sarod concerto for them. I named the project Samagam - A Concerto For Sarod. By God’s grace, we have achieved a cross-fertilisation of two classical music traditions, which are often held to be radically different — too different to meet without a bridge of
some sort.

On: January 13, 6:30 pm
At: Parle Tilak Vidyalaya Ground, Hanuman Road, Vile Parle (E)
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