Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan-Ayaan perform to packed audiences at dawn at The Gateway of India

Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan-Ayaan perform to packed audiences at dawn at The Gateway of India

It was a unique spiritual dawn at The Gateway of India when Sarod masters Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash took to stage accompanied by Pandit Vijay Ghate on the Tabla and Giridhar Udapa on the Ghatam… From darkness to dawn, a jam-packed historical venue resonated with melody.

Soon, the sun rose to greet Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan as he greeted the audiences with Raag Jounpuri, humorously stating that he wasn’t having pedicure but actually filing his nails midway through performance as he needs to play the Sarod with his nails.

The grand finale and the third part of the concert was when the father-sons trio took to stage and mesmerized the audiences along with their esteemed accompanists, leaving audiences spellbound. Interestingly, this father-son performed together in Mumbai after five years!

The spiritual morn was courtesy, Pancham Nishad Creatives, in collaboration with the Cultural Department of Maharashtra and Mumbai Port Trust as was a non-ticketed event.

Says Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, “this early morning concert is a tribute to our ancestors who respected the time of the ragas.”

Adds Shashi Vyas said, "The idea of commencing the concert at dawn gives the audience a chance to listen to some soul-stirring morning melodies that are best appreciated only at this time."

Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performs at the Chhtarapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghrahalaya [Prince of Wales Museum] after Two Decades

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya(Prince of Wales Museum) resonated to the sound of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s Sarod on Friday evening. The maestro's performance is part of the celebration of the momentous exhibition, India & The World: A History of Nine Stories, at the CSMVS that celebrates the Indian culture and its interaction with the rest of the world. Ustadji being a leading exponent of Sarod, an instrument that has its roots in Central Asia and a globally celebrated artist was perfect to represent this exchange of India with the world. 

The crowd remained mesmerised for over 90 minutes rooted to their seats, clapping as Ustadji with musicians Pandit Vijay Ghate on the tabla and Sridhar Parthasarthy on the mridangam took us on a melodious musical journey, sometimes with soulful ragas and other times with energetic jugalbandis, that made the museum come alive, literally!

Glimpses...

Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performs at the Vrindaban Gurukul

Vrindaban Gurukul resonated to the sound of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s Sarod on Saturday evening. The maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performed with Pandit Vijay Ghate. 

The crowd remained mesmerised for over 90 minutes rooted to their position, clapping as Ustadji with Pandit Vijay Ghate on the tabla took us on a melodious musical journey, sometimes with soulful ragas and other times with energetic jugalbandis, that made the gurukul come alive. All in all, an eventful evening indeed. Glimpses...

Where Gautam Patole’s works find takers in Black and white and its myriad hues

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Besides Jackie Shroff, Pooja Bedi and Raageshwari Loomba, the current exhibition also saw artists of the likes of Padmanabh Bendre, Paramesh Paul, Daxa Khandwala, Rupali Madan, Rakhi Baid, Madhumita Bhattacharya, Hemant Kumari Singh, Devyani Parikh among others praising the stunning works of Charcoal Master Gautam Patole. Glimpses...