AMJAD ALI KHAN
The well known Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan added another feather in his achievements. He has been nominated for ‘2009 Grammy award’ in the best traditional world music album category. His album ‘Ancient Sounds’, a joint-venture with Iraqi oud soloist Rahim Alhaj will compete with other albums including ‘Double Play’, ‘Douga Mansa’, ‘La Guerra No’ and ‘Drum Music Land’ to win Grammy award on 31st January at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Amjad Ali Khan is considered as one of the finest classical musicians in India.
BIOGRAPHY
Noted sarod player, Amjad Ali Khan was born into a musical family on 9th October 1945 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. His father Haafiz Ali Khan was a musician to the royal family of Gwalior and his mother was Rahat Jahan. He belongs to the illustrious Bangash lineage and he is a sixth-generation Sarod player in his family. Amjad Ali Khan learnt Sarod under his father Haafiz Ali Khan and he gave his first solo recital at the age of 12. After that he created a glorious chapter in the history of Indian classical music. He has developed a unique style of playing the sarod and implified his sarod by removing some strings. He has performed in many concerts and festivals around the globe which include festivals like the ‘WOMAD Festival’ in Adelaide and New Plymouth, Taranaki in New Zealand,’ WOMAD Rivermead Festival’ in UK, ‘Edinburgh Music Festiva’l, ‘World Beat Festival’ in Brisbane, ‘International Poets Festival’ in Rome, ‘Shiraz Festival’, UNESCO, ‘Hong Kong Arts Festival’, ‘Adelaide Music Festival’ and many others. He founded ‘Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Memorial Society’ in 1997 which honors outstanding classical musicians in India and aboard in every year. Two books have been written on him. ‘The World of Amjad Ali Khan’ and ‘Abba-God’s Greatest Gift To Us’ are the two books written on him. He is married to Bharatnatyam dancer Subhalakshmi and they have two sons Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan. His sons are also excellent Sarod players.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is the recipient of many awards and honours. He gained ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Award’ in 1989, ‘Padma Shri’ in 1975, ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 1991, ‘Padma Vibhushan’ in 2001, ‘Tansen Award’ in 1989, ‘Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize’ in 2004 and ‘International Music Forum Award’, UNESCO in 1970. In addition, received honorary doctorates from the Universities of York, England, Delhi University and the Deshikottam from the Vishva Bharti University in Shantiniketan. Now his album ‘Ancient Sounds’ has been nominated for ‘2009 Grammy Awards’ in the best traditional world music album category.