Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

The youngest son of sarod player Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, Amjad Ali Khan has continued to expand on his father’s legacy. Performing as a soloist and in collaboration with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Charlie Byrd, Igor Frolav, Glenda Simpson, and Barry Mason, Khan has brought a global view to the sarod, a 25-stringed, violin-like, Indian instrument. While The Gulf Weekly claimed, “(Khan) is in a class by himself, born with rhythm in his soul and fingers,” The Lincoln Journal Star wrote, “(Khan is) famous for his elegant style and technique. After a lifetime of work on the instrument, he has breathed a new life to an ancient form.” In a review of a concert by Khan, The New York Times proclaimed, “(Khan) casts a kind of charm on audiences, sending out ripples of excitement.” Tracing his family’s roots to Mian Tansen, a 16th-century musician in the court of the Emperor Khan, Khan began playing the sarod at the age of ten. With his father as his guru, under the strict discipline of Guru Shisya Parampara, he advanced quickly. Performing his first concert at the age of 12, he was a nationally known celebrity in India within three years. Khan’s wife, Subhalakshmi, a well-known Indian classical dancer, retired from performing following their marriage. In addition to recording many award-winning albums, including Raga Bhairav, which ranked among the Top 50 classical albums of 1995 by BBC Magazine, Khan has been featured in several documentary videos including the Canadian-produced Amjat Ali Khan in 1971, and Live Concert In Tokyo in 1989. ~ Craig Harris