“A musical legacy and tale of words” Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Opens Up at Times Literature Festival Delhi

NEW DELHI : Ustad Amjad Ali Khan together with his two talented children Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash today participated in a session titled A Musical Legacy at Times Literature Festival 2017.

Moderator Priya Kanungo introduced him to the audience by informing that since last five decades he is being hailed as the greatest Sarod player in the world.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan said, “My family has always been there to guide me at all junctures of life. Since my childhood I wanted to sing through Sarod”!

Talking about his early life and how he balanced between studies and his love for music he said, “I was not very good at studies but I had a school and a Principal who was very cooperative. I gave my first musical performance, since after I have been very encouraged to pursue my interest. I was not very good at Maths but they never failed me, so it’s just in these ways I moved across through my academic journey”.

Talking about his revered Guru he said, “My Ustaad was very strict about ‘Riyaaj’ as well as about being in tune. The one thing that he could never tolerate was the out of tune music, so he would either immediately leave the room in such case or would order the musician to exit’.

His both son’s Amaan Ali and Ayaan Ali who have made quite a following and identity of their own also joined in the conversation and narrated the tale of their journey including having a father who doubled up as Guru, the academic pressure and finally making an individual identity.

Amaan said, “The inclination towards music was natural. We were born and brought in such atmosphere that we both picked up music as an hobby since very soon”.

Ayaan Ali added, “Music is all about dedicated practice, interest and passion. We look towards music as something very Divine and it certainly helps to stay attached with it in a more powerful way”.