Amjad Ali Khan

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was born Masoom Ali Khan on 9 October 1945 in Gwalior, India, into a distinguished lineage of sarod musicians tracing back six generations in the Senia Bangash gharana. Taught by his father, Hafiz Ali Khan, he performed publicly from a young age and adopted the name Amjad following a blessing by a visiting sadhu. He combined formal schooling with rigorous music training, forging the foundation of a lifelong devotion to his art. His musical style is marked by technical brilliance, especially his fast and fluid ekhara taans, and by inventive modifications of the sarod’s construction to favour clarity of tone and expression. He’s also known for creating a host of new ragas—such as Amiri Todi and Shivanjali—that blend traditional frameworks with personal innovation, enriching the Hindustani classical repertoire. Over decades, he has toured widely, presenting the sarod at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, leading orchestral collaborations like “Samaagam” with Western ensembles, and representing Indian music at events such as the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. His awards include Padma Shri (1975), Padma Bhushan (1991), Padma Vibhushan (2001), Sangeet Natak Akademi honours, the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize, and more, affirming his stature in both Indian and global music spheres. Khan’s legacy is not confined to performance. He is a revered teacher whose sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash have continued the family tradition, often performing alongside him and carrying forward the gharana. His influence on sarod technique, his dedication to innovation within tradition, and his international collaborations have cemented his role as one of the most significant ambassadors of Hindustani classical music.