Amjad Ali Khan Celebrates Family Legacy and the Sarods Future in Gwalior

Gwalior, October 18 (Daily Kiran) : Renowned sarod player Amjad Ali Khan recently spoke about his family’s rich musical heritage and the ‘Saroj Ghar’ museum in Gwalior. This museum houses instruments belonging to his ancestors and other legendary Indian musicians.

In an engaging conversation, Khan revealed that the home where he was born has been transformed into a museum. It showcases not only his family’s musical legacy but also instruments from other great artists. He mentioned, “My childhood sarod is part of this museum, located in Gwalior where I was born. Our ancestral home has been turned into a museum named ‘Saroj Ghar.’ Here, we preserve instruments from my ancestors and other prominent musicians of India.”

Khan emphasized the significance of each musician’s relationship with their instrument. “Many renowned musicians have donated their instruments to this museum. Every great artist and sarod player has a unique bond with their instrument, and their style reflects their identity,” he explained.

He added, “Every sarod player has a different sound and way of playing. My father’s sarod and the music of my sons, Aman Ali Bangash and Ayan Ali Bangash, are quite distinct from mine. By the grace of God, I don’t just play the sarod, I sing through my instrument.”

Khan highlighted the emotional aspect of music, stating, “The most important thing in music is how emotions are conveyed through the instrument. For me, it is essential that the melody from the sarod carries a sense of singing. This is what makes my music special.”

Discussing the future of the sarod and the new generation of artists, Khan expressed optimism. “Today, there are about 500 sarod players worldwide, which is a positive sign for the instrument. Young artists are doing remarkable work across various forms of Indian classical music, including sitar, tabla, singing, and dance. I am confident that the identity of the sarod will only strengthen in the future.”