Best of both worlds

Ahead of his grand symphony in the capital tomorrow, sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan talks about his musical bonding with David Murphy's Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Ahead of his grand symphony in theu00a0 capital tomorrow, sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan talks about his musical bonding with David Murphy's Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Music, air and flowers have no religion, and all are needed to survive. No we aren't giving lessons in philosophyu00a0it's a thought that sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan holds close to his heart. A six-city collaboration, Samagaam, which reaches the capital tomorrow after Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad andu00a0 Bangalore, will see him at his best. The show has been brought by 100 pipers and Welsh composer David Murphy. More from the horse's mouth.

How did Samagaam take shape?

I have been a huge admirer of European classical music, especially Beethoven and Mozart. As a matter of fact, the orchestra also originates from Europe. So when David Murphy approached me with the idea, I said yes. Since then, it has taken three long years to come up with a fine symphony.

What can we expect from the do?

It has three segments. The opening will see a pure Beethoven and Mozart symphony, which will be followed by a short solo sarod piece by me. The curtains will come down with a grand musical jugalbandi by all the artists.

How do you rate the current breed of musicians?

India has always produced talented musicians, whether it was RD Burman, Khayyam, Laxmikant Pyarelal or others. Look at AR Rehman, who, from the regional industry, moved to Bollywood, and is now taking the world by storm. Zakir Hussain won a Grammy and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was awarded the Bharat Ratna.

What about sons Amaan and Ayaan?

Both of them have been travelling with me to different parts of the world when people want to see us together. We'll do it soon again!

Samagaam

When: Tomorrow, 7.30 pm

Where: Siri Fort auditorium

Tickets available at the venue; Teksons: (South Extension Part 1; Malviya Nagar; Vasant Kunj Market; N-17 Connaught Circus; DLF Mega Mall, Gurgaon

Prices start from: Rs 200

Ring: 6499397