 Mr.
Amjad Ali Khan is a maestro of the sarod, a stringed instrument used in
Indian classical music that demands exceptional performance technique.
Very active both in India and abroad, Mr. Khan has won high acclaim as
a musician.
The Khan family of
musicians is part of the school of Tansen, the legendary musician who
served at the Mughal court. The sixth generation of musicians in his family,
he studied under the tutelage of his father, Haafiz Ali Khan, himself
a noted performer. The elder Khan faithfully passed on to his son the
techniques and forms of classical music that have been handed down for
more than 300 years. Mr. Khan also has added new forms to the existing
repertory by creating new ragas (melodic patterns), as well as revolutionizing
performance style and technique. Thus, he has breathed new life into the
musical world of the sarod, and created his own musical culture.
Mr. Khan laments the
current state of affairs in which classical music is generally supported
by older people and is shunned by the younger generation, tradition is
waning, and culture is in danger of becoming homogenized. Believing there
is not essential difference between classical music and popular music,
he intends to hand down and develop the tradition by conducting workshops
at educational institutions both in India and overseas. He continues his
active efforts to broaden the understanding of classical music among the
younger generation. One aspect of these efforts has been his participation
in the world music festival WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) held
in various locations throughout the world. This has resulted in expanding
the number of people who appreciate the music of the sarod.
Based on his belief
that music transcends all, Mr. Khan became the first Indian musician to
perform in Pakistan in 1981 in an effort to break a 25 year-long cultural
hiatus between the two countries and create an opening for cultural exchange.
In addition, he has used music to assume an important role in society,
having been actively involved for many years in activities to help disabled
children and serving as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
Mr. Khan has entranced
audiences throughout the world, performing in such noted venues as Carnegie
Hall in the United States, the Royal Festival Hall in Great Britain, and
Suntory Hall in Japan.
He has greatly contributed
to the preservation and development of classical Indian music through
a musical sensibility that enables him to weave a rich tapestry of music
transcending generations. Combined with his musical convictions and passion,
this has enabled him to popularize the music of Asia and its spirit throughout
the world. For this meritorious achievement, he is truly worthy of the
Grand Prize of the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prizes. |
