Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (born 9 October 1945) is a legendary Indian classical sarod virtuoso and the sixth-generation musician of the Bangash lineage, credited with shaping the modern sarod.
Birth: Born as Masoom Ali Khan in Gwalior, renamed Amjad by a Hindu saint who prophesied his musical greatness.
Family Legacy: Descendant of the Senia Bangash gharana, which claims to have invented the sarod by modifying the Afghan rabab.
Training: Learned from his father, Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan (court musician of Gwalior), who traced his lineage to Miyan Tansen via disciples.
Debut: First solo recital at age 6; major international debut in the U.S. at 18.
Technique: Pioneered fingernail playing (instead of fingertips) for sharper tonal clarity, a method now widely emulated.
Ragas & Compositions: Created original ragas like Kiran Ranjani, Shivanjali, and Bapukauns, blending tradition with innovation.
Cross-Cultural Collaborations: Worked with orchestras (e.g., Hong Kong Philharmonic), jazz musicians, and composers like Philip Glass, expanding the sarod’s global reach.
Padma Vibhushan (2001), Padma Bhushan (1991), Padma Shri (1975).
Nobel Peace Prize Performance: Played at the 2014 ceremony, emphasizing music’s universal message.
Teaching: Served as visiting professor at Stanford University and mentors students globally.
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Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (born 9 October 1945) is a legendary Indian classical sarod virtuoso and the sixth-generation musician of the Bangash lineage, credited with shaping the modern sarod. Birth: Born as Masoom Ali Khan in Gwalior, renamed Amjad by a Hindu saint who prophesied his musical greatness. Family Legacy: Descendant of the Senia Bangash gharana, which claims to have invented the sarod by modifying the Afghan rabab. Training: Learned from his father, Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan (court musician of Gwalior), who traced his lineage to Miyan Tansen via disciples. Debut: First solo recital at age 6; major international debut in the U.S. at 18. Technique: Pioneered fingernail playing (instead of fingertips) for sharper tonal clarity, a method now widely emulated. Ragas & Compositions: Created original ragas like Kiran Ranjani, Shivanjali, and Bapukauns, blending tradition with innovation. Cross-Cultural Collaborations: Worked with orchestras (e.g., Hong Kong Philharmonic), jazz musicians, and composers like Philip Glass, expanding the sarod’s global reach. Padma Vibhushan (2001), Padma Bhushan (1991), Padma Shri (1975). Nobel Peace Prize Performance: Played at the 2014 ceremony, emphasizing music’s universal message. Teaching: Served as visiting professor at Stanford University and mentors students globally.