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Music documentaries, in-depth profile pieces and concerts recordings featuring some of the biggest names from South Asia and the UK.

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Asian Network Presents: In Session with the Ali Khans

In Session with the Ali Khans

29/11/2015

BBC Asian Network - Asian Network Presents, In Session with the Ali Khans

The sarod-playing Ali Khan family talk about their love of the instrument.

Bobby Friction talks to internationally renowned sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan about his life and career, plus he hears from Ali Khan's sons Amaan and Ayaan.

Asian Network Presents In Session with Sarod Maestros, the Ali Khans. 

The sarod can be described as the sister of the sitar and has between 17 to 25-strings that produce a deep and weighty sound. 

Coming from a long-line of respected sarod players, there are claims that the Ali Khan family also invented the instrument.

Receiving some of India's highest civilian honours including the Padma Vibhushan in 2001, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's talent has seen him become an honorary citizen of three US cities - Houston, Nashville and Tulsa. He's also performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the Kennedy Center and the House of Commons.

Presented by Bobby Friction, world-renowned musician, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who gave his first Sarod performance at the age of 6, takes listeners on a journey into the world of being a classical musician. He talks about his family's history as court sarod players for the royal family of Gwalior, how his his own father, Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan played for many of history's greatest figures including Jawaharlal Nehru and Gandhi and why he continues to push despite himself musically despite being in his seventies.

We also hear for his sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan who are following in their fore-father's footsteps to become the 7th generation of this sarod-playing family.

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