Riyadh – Millions of fans worldwide acclaim Ustad Amjad Ali Khan as the “singing sarod.” His sarod sings of love, devotion, sadness, and a multitude of other emotions. He is a living legend, an internationally acclaimed and awarded Sarod player who has immortalized his name in the shining firmament of Indian classical music.
Young Amjad made his debut more than sixty years ago at the age of eleven. “In those days, playing songs on the sarod was taboo, but from my childhood, I had this great desire to sing through my instrument, and my father and guru, the great Hafiz Ali Khan, showed me the way,” recalls the virtuoso. His mastery over the Indo-Persian instrument gained him rock star status in a country that continues to regard classical music as the domain of a niche knowledgeable audience.
The sixth-generation composer and artist from the illustrious Bangash lineage, with roots in the Senia Bangash School of Music, has held on to his cult status with his expressive and spiritual renditions. He is one of the most recorded Indian classical musicians, he has played a significant role in bringing classical music closer to the common man. His concerts at venues like the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, House of Commons, Sydney Opera House, St. James Palace, and innumerable other locations worldwide are completely sold out. He has received several national and international awards for his remarkable contributions, including the UNESCO Award, Padma Vibhushan (the highest Indian civilian award), UNICEF’s National Ambassadorship, and France’s Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters.
“Music is a precious gift of God. In India, we say ‘Swar hi Ishwar hai,” said Khan Sahab in a conversation. “The sound of the sarod, symphony, sitar, violin, or guitar is pure. It is difficult and challenging to connect with the world without any language. I communicate through sound, and when sound becomes music, it is beautiful.” Known for his majestic demeanor on stage, he exudes a calm and slight smile even while working the sarod into a frenzy.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s approach to his art is spiritual. Technically brilliant and innovative, the maestro’s devotion to music can be compared to that of a devotee towards his God. “For us in India, music is not just entertainment. Through music, followers of different faiths connect with the Almighty, he expressed while talking to the audience. “India is like a bouquet of flowers, a bouquet of flowers of different colors and fragrances. You will find a Muslim student training under a Hindu Guru or vice versa”, he said.
It was under his father, the legendary Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, that young Amjad received his talim (training) in music. It was not easy for a boy, the youngest son of a brilliant figure, to take up the mantle, but he did so when he gave his first performance in Calcutta at the age of 12. “Tradition is responsibility,” he said when asked if his legacy was a burden. “Music is our precious heritage. As a family, we have dedicated ourselves to music and left the rest to God.” In recent years, the maestro’s two sons, Ayaan and Aman Ali Khan, have made great strides in taking the “Bangash” lineage forward.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan presented a mesmerizing evening at Cultural Palace DQ in Riyadh on 6 Feb 2025. Titled “Three Generations, One Melody,” the historic evening featured Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, his children Aman Ali Bangash, Ayyan Ali Bangash, and grandsons Abir and Zohan, enthralling the audience with their talent.
The memorable evening was organized by Diplomatic Quarter Authority in collaboration with the Embassy of India, Riyadh. Ambassador of India, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan was invited by Dinesh Sethia, First Secretary, Embassy of India on the stage to address the audience. He welcomed the audience and introduced Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. Dinesh Sethia, First Secretary, Embassy of India, anchored the program.
The program started with the Sarod renditions by Aman Ali and Ayyan Ali. Anubrata Chatterjee and Amit Kavthekar accompanied on the table. Both displayed their mastery with their fingers on Tabla. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan then played the strings of the Sarod. The magicians of music kept the hall captivated for a long time by presenting one raga after another and in the end, three generations came together on stage and showed the essence of their perfect art that the audience was left awestruck with admiration and praise.
Seven artists were playing together on stage and there was such a sense of harmony between them that they were absorbed in each other. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan played many compositions based on Raag Desh, Raag Bahar, Rabindranath Tagore’s “Ekla chalo re”, etc. The magicians of art concluded their program on the rendition of “Vande Mataram”. Finally, the Ambassador of India Dr. Sohail Ijaz Khan presented memorable memorabilia to Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Tabla players Anubrata Chatterjee and Amit Kavthekar.
The event held at the Cultural Palace, Diplomatic Quarters, was attended by the Consul General of India Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, Deputy Ambassador of India Abu Mathan George, diplomats from various countries and a large number of Indian music lovers. It was indeed a memorable evening for the Indian community which they will preserve in their hearts for a long time.
This historic event came to an end with the vote of thanks by anchor Dinesh Sethia.
