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{{Short description|Indian musician}}
{{for multi|the Indian classical vocalist of Kirana Gharana|Amjad Ali Khan (Indian vocalist)|the Pakistani politician|Amjad Ali Khan (politician)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix = [[Ustad]]
| name = Amjad Ali Khan
| image = Amjad Ali Khan.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Khan performing in 2008
| image_size =
| birth_name = Masoom Ali Khan
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|10|09|df=yes}}<ref name="TOI031123"/>
| birth_place = [[Gwalior]], [[Gwalior State]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date =
| origin =
| instrument = ''[[sarod]]''<ref name="RD021001"/>
| genre = [[Hindustani classical music]]
| occupation =
| years_active =
| label =
| associated_acts = [[Hafiz Ali Khan]], [[Amaan Ali Khan]], [[Ayaan Ali Khan]], [[Gurdev Singh (musician)|Gurdev Singh]]
| website = [http://sarod.com/ sarod.com]
}}

[[Ustad]] ''' Amjad Ali Khan''' (born 9 October 1945) is an [[Hindustani classical music|Indian classical]] ''[[sarod]]'' player, best known for his clear and fast ekhara [[Taan (music)|taans]]. Khan was born into a classical musical family (the [[Senia Bangash Gharana|Bangash lineage]] of the [[Senia Gharana]]) and has performed internationally since the 1960s. He was awarded India's second highest civilian honor [[Padma Vibhushan]] in 2001, India's third highest civilian honor [[Padma Bhushan]] in 1991 and [[Padma Shri|Padma Shree]] in 1975.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thehindu.com/november-fest/i-am-conscious-that-unlike-language-i-cannot-manipulate-sound-amjad-ali-khan/article25295577.ece | title=I am conscious that unlike language, I cannot manipulate sound: Amjad Ali Khan | work=The Hindu | date=23 October 2018 | last1=Raman | first1=Anuradha }}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Born on 9 October 1945 as Masoom Ali Khan, the youngest of seven children, to Gwalior court musician [[Hafiz Ali Khan]] and Rahat Jahan.<ref name="TOI031123">{{cite news|last=Sawhney|first=Anubha|title=Amjad Ali Khan, unplugged (interview with him)|publisher=[[Times News Network]]|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=23 November 2003|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/amjad-ali-khan-unplugged/articleshow/297188.cms|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="RD021001">{{cite web|last=Bhatia|first=Shyam|title=The sound of sarod music|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=1 October 2002|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/oct/01spec.htm|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref> His family is part of the [[Bangash]] ([[Gwalior]]) lineage and Khan is in the sixth generation of musicians; his family claims to have invented the ''[[sarod]]''.<ref name="RD021001" /><ref name="NYT080607">{{cite news|last=Weisman|first=Steven R.|title=Traditionalist Reshapes India's Ancient Sarod|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=7 June 1988|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/07/arts/traditionalist-reshapes-india-s-ancient-sarod.html|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rockwell|first=John|title=Review/Music; Another Indian Master, This Time of the Sarod|newspaper=The New York Times|date=24 February 1991|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/24/arts/review-music-another-indian-master-this-time-of-the-sarod.html|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref> His personal name was changed by a [[sadhu]] to Amjad.<ref name="TOI031123" /> Khan received [[homeschooling]] and studied music under his father who belongs to [[Gwalior gharana|Gwalior Gharana]].<ref name="TOI031123" /> In 1957, a cultural organization in Delhi appointed Hafiz Ali Khan as its guest and the family moved to Delhi.<ref name="TOI031123" /> Hafiz Ali Khan received training from the descendants of [[Tansen]], the magical musician who was one of the 'Nav-ratna' ( nine gems) at the court of the Mughal Emperor [[Akbar]]. Thus, Amjad belongs to the lineage of Tansen.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://penguin.co.in/thepenguindigest/ustad-amjad-ali-khan-a-bio/|title=Ustad Amjad Ali Khan|date=20 April 2017 }}</ref> Friends of Hafiz Ali Khan convinced him of the importance of formal schooling for his son; as a result, Amjad was taken to meet the Principal of [[Modern School (New Delhi)|Modern School]] in New Delhi and admitted there as a day scholar. He attended Modern School from 1958 to 1963.<ref name="SinghHameed1995">{{Cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Khushwant|author-link1=Khushwant Singh|last2=Hameed|first2=Syeda Saiyidain|author2-link=Syeda Saiyidain Hameed|title=A Dream Turns Seventy Five: The Modern School, 1920-1995|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mZNhHR1yfzAC&pg=PA156|year=1995|publisher=Allied Publishers|isbn=978-81-7023-499-9|page=156}}</ref>

==Career and recognition==
[[File:Ustad amjat ali khan.JPG|thumbnail|Amjad Ali Khan]]
Khan first performed in the [[United States]] in 1963 and continued into the 2000s, with his sons.<ref name="TOI031123" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Ratliff|first=Ben|title=From India, a Sarod Dynasty Represented by Father and Sons|newspaper=The New York Times|date=30 October 2006|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/arts/music/30khan.html|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref> He has experimented with modifications to his instrument throughout his career.<ref name="NYT080607" /> Khan played with the [[Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra]] and worked as a visiting professor at the [[University of New Mexico]].<ref name="RD021001" /> In 2011, he performed on [[Carrie Newcomer]]'s album ''Everything is Everywhere''. In 2014, along with his two sons, Ayaan Ali Khan and Amaan Ali Khan, he performed<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/amjad-ali-khan-sons-perform-raga-for-peace-at-nobel-concert/|title=Amjad Ali Khan, sons perform 'Raga For Peace' at Nobel concert|date=2014-12-10|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> 'Raga For Peace' in 2014 [[Nobel Peace Prize Concert]].

Khan was awarded 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award. Khan received [[Padma Shri]] in 1975, [[Padma Bhushan]] in 1991, and [[Padma Vibhushan]] in 2001, and was awarded the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] for 1989 and the [[List of Sangeet Natak Akademi fellows|Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]] for 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=SNA: List of Akademi Awardees – Instrumental – Sarod|publisher=[[Sangeet Natak Akademi]]|url=http://www.sangeetnatak.org/sna/awardeeslist.htm#InstrumentalSarod|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727234019/http://www.sangeetnatak.org/sna/awardeeslist.htm|archive-date=27 July 2011|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Padma Awards |publisher=[[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Ministry of Communications and Information Technology]] |url=http://india.gov.in/myindia/advsearch_awards.php?start=0&award_year=&state=&field=3&p_name=Amjad&award=All |access-date=26 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625212736/http://india.gov.in/myindia/advsearch_awards.php?start=0&award_year=&state=&field=3&p_name=Amjad&award=All |archive-date=25 June 2009}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amjad Ali Khan – The 15th Fukuoka Asian Culture Prizes 2004|publisher=Asian Month|year=2009|url=http://asianmonth.com/prize/english/winner/|access-date=21 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707174051/http://asianmonth.com/prize/english/winner/|archive-date=7 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The U.S. state [[Massachusetts]] proclaimed 20 April as Amjad Ali Khan Day in 1984.<ref name="TOI070411">{{cite news|title=Amjad Ali Khan honoured in the US|agency=Press Trust of India|date=11 April 2007|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Amjad-Ali-Khan-honoured-in-the-US/articleshow/1889599.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024010039/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-04-11/us/27876291_1_amjad-ali-khan-day-sarod-maestro-tulsa|url-status=live|archive-date=24 October 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref> Khan was made an honorary citizen of [[Houston]], [[Texas]], and [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]], in 1997, and of [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]], [[Oklahoma]], in 2007.<ref name="TOI070411" /> He received the [[Banga-Vibhushan]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=State honours nine with Banga-Vibhushan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/State-honours-nine-with-Banga-Vibhushan/articleshow/9364736.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105234331/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-26/kolkata/29815979_1_manna-dey-mamata-banerjee-award |url-status=live |archive-date=5 November 2012 |agency=[[Times News Network]] |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=26 July 2012 |access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Amjad Ali Khan bharat-s-tiwari-photography-IMG 3786 December 23, 2018.jpg|left|thumb|Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performing at the IGNCA, Delhi.]]
In the 1980s, music critic [[Mohan Nadkarni]] described Khan as a "top-notcher" in classical music and among its "celebrities."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nadkarni |first1=Mohan |title=CBS enters classical arena |url=https://mohannadkarni.org/cbs-enters-classical-arena/ |publisher=The Economic Times |date=December 6, 1987}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nadkarni |first1=Mohan |title=Namdhari touch to classical music |publisher=The Illustrated Weekly of India |date=June 28, 1981}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' referred to Khan as "one of the last legends of Hindustani classical music."

===Compositions===
Khan has introduced many ragas, which he does not acknowledge as "new" or his creations. These include:
* [[Haripriya Kanada (raga)|Raga Haripriya Kanada]], created in the 1960s as a compound of [[Charukeshi (raga)|Raga Charukeshi]] and [[Darbari Kanada|Raga Darbari Kanada]] in honor of [[Swami Haridas]].
* [[Kiranranjani (raga)|Raga Kiranranjani]], created in the 1960s
* [[Amiri Todi (raga)|Raga Amiri Todi]], created in 1974 as a compound of [[Shahana (raga)|Raga Shahana Kanada]] and [[Bilaskhani Todi (raga)|Raga Bilaskhani Todi]] due to [[Amir Khan (singer)|Ustad Amir Khan's]] death.
* [[Lalita Dhwani (raga)|Raga Lalita Dhwani]], created in 1976
* [[Shyam Shri (raga)|Raga Shyam Shri]], created in 1980 as a compound of [[Yaman (raga)|Raga Yaman]] in the [[Purvang (music)|purvang]] and [[Shree (Hindustani raga)|Raga Shree]] in the [[Uttarang (music)|uttarang]].
* [[Saraswati Kalyan (raga)|Raga Saraswati Kalyan]], created in 1980
* [[Priyadarshini (raga)|Raga Priyadarshini]], created in 1984 due to [[Indira Gandhi|Indira Gandhi's]] [[Assassination_of_Indira_Gandhi|assassination]]
* [[Shivanjali (raga)|Raga Shivanjali]], created in 1987
* [[Shantana (raga)|Raga Shantana]], created in 1990
* [[Mangresh (raga)|Raga Mangresh]], created in 1990 after [[Deenanath Mangeshkar|Deenanath Mangeshkar's]] rendition of the [[Sangeet Natak|Marathi natya sangeet]], [[Prem Seva Sharan (song)|"Prem Seva Sharan"]] from ''[[Sangeet Manapman]]''.
* [[Jawahar Manjari (raga)|Raga Jawahar Manjari]], created in 1990 after [[Jawaharlal Nehru]].
* [[Kamalshree (raga)|Raga Kamalshree]], created in 1991
* [[Ganesh Kalyan (raga)|Raga Ganesh Kalyan]], created in 1992
* [[Subhalakshmi (raga)|Raga Subhalakshmi]], created in 1995
* [[Aahuti (raga)|Raga Aahuti]], created in 1996
* [[Haafiz Kauns (raga)|Raga Haafiz Kauns]], created in 1997 to honor Khan's father and guru, [[Hafiz Ali Khan]].
* [[Rahat Kauns (raga)|Raga Rahat Kauns]], created in 1997 to honor Khan's mother, Rahat Jahan.
* [[Shyama Gauri (raga)|Raga Shyama Gauri]], created in 1999
* [[Saawan Malhar (raga)|Raga Saawan Malhar]], created in 2008
* [[Atal Manjari (raga)|Raga Atal Manjari]], created in 2018 due to [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Atal Bihari Vajpayee's]] death.

===Students===
Khan's foremost disciples are his two sons, [[Amaan Ali Bangash]] and [[Ayaan Ali Bangash]]. In the early 60s, one of Khan's first and most senior students was [[Gurdev Singh (musician)|Gurdev Singh]].
<ref>{{Cite web | title=Gurdev Singh (musician) - Bharatpedia | url=https://en.m.Bharatpedia.org/wiki/Gurdev_Singh_(musician)#:~:text=Gurdev%20Singh%20(born%2015%20January,and%20sings%20Hindustani%20classical%20music/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250628150237/https://en.m.Bharatpedia.org/wiki/Gurdev_Singh_(musician) | access-date=2025-11-22 | archive-date=2025-06-28}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web | title=Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash on Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: ‘Abba Saheb’s teaching and philosophy are beyond music’ {{!}} Art-and-culture News - The Indian Express | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/amaan-ali-khan-ayaan-ali-bangash-on-ustad-amjad-ali-khan-father-guru-music-9472362/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730151546/https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/amaan-ali-khan-ayaan-ali-bangash-on-ustad-amjad-ali-khan-father-guru-music-9472362/ | access-date=2025-11-22 | archive-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

==Playing style==
[[File:Amjad Ali Khan with Naveen Pattnaik.jpg|thumb|Amjad Ali Khan with [[Odisha]] CM [[Naveen Patnaik|Naveen Pattnaik]]]]
Critics have praised the technical brilliance and emotional expressiveness of Khan's playing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/arts/music/30khan.html | title=From India, a Sarod Dynasty Represented by Father and Sons | work=The New York Times | date=30 October 2006 | last1=Ratliff | first1=Ben }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/amjad-ali-khan-review-ecstatic-playing-in-an-east-meets-west-celebration-bbwvcn7tz | title=Amjad Ali Khan review — ecstatic playing in an east-meets-west celebration | date=10 January 2023 }}</ref> He specializes in the [[Ekhara Taan (music)|ekhara taan]] of [[sarod]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/02/amjad-ali-khan-review-royal-festival-hall-london-indian-classical | title=Amjad Ali Khan review – intensity and brilliance by an Indian classical legend | work=The Guardian | date=2 May 2019 | last1=Lewis | first1=John }}</ref>

==Media appearances==
''Ustad Amjad Ali Khan'' (1990), a [[Gulzar]] directed Indian documentary film on Amjad Ali Khan won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Documentary]] in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0216329/|title= Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (1990) - a documentary film by Gulzar|publisher= IMDb website|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
On 25 September 1976, Khan got married a second time. His bride was [[Bharatanatyam]] dancer Subhalakshmi Barooah, hailing from [[Assam]] in north-eastern India.<ref name="RD021001" /><ref name="TOI031123" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Zakir Hussain and Bangash brothers' ode to heritage |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=13 December 2003 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031214/ncr1.htm#3 |access-date=26 January 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625132844/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031214/ncr1.htm |archive-date=25 June 2009}}</ref> They have two sons, [[Amaan Ali Bangash|Amaan]] and [[Ayaan Ali Bangash|Ayaan]], both of whom are performing artists trained in music by their father.<ref name="TOI031123" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Narayanan|first=Lavanya|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/ustad-amjad-ali-khan-on-his-memories-of-rukmini-devi/article30930487.ece|title=Ustad Amjad Ali khan on his memories of Rukmini Devi|date=2020-02-27|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-01|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Khan cared for his [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetic]] father until he died in 1972.<ref name="TOI031123" /> Their family home in Gwalior was made into a musical center and they live in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Ramnarayan|first=Gowri|title=Commitment to tradition|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=8 January 2006|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/01/08/stories/2006010800010100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060110202510/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/01/08/stories/2006010800010100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2006|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref>

==Discography==
* ''The Maestro's Musings'' (LP) (1986, CBS)
* ''Swar Sameer'' (1991, Super Cassettes Industries Ltd., T-Series)
* ''Serene Strings'' (1994, EMI, RPG Enterprises)
* ''North India: Instrumental Music of Medieval India'' (1994, [[Ocora]])
* ''Ragas Bilaskhani Todi & Brindabani Sarang'' (1994, Navras Records)
* ''[[The Rough Guide to the Music of India and Pakistan]]'' (1996, [[World Music Network]]) (contributing artist)
* ''Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan with sons Amaan Ali Bangash & Ayaan Ali Bangash'' (2001, Chhanda Dhara)
* ''Music from the 13th Century'' (2005, Navras Records)
* ''[[Moksha]]'' (2005, [[Real World Records]])
* ''[[Confluence]]'' (2005, Navras Records) (jugalbandi with singer [[Girija Devi]])
* ''My Inspirations'' (2006, Navras Records)
* ''Romancing The Rains'' (2007, Navras Records)
* ''Samaagam'' (2011, [[Harmonia Mundi|World Village]]) (with the [[Scottish Chamber Orchestra]])
* ''Masterworks From The NCPA Archives'' (2012, Navras Records)
* ''Raga Bahar'' (2015, Sony music)

==Awards and recognition==
* 1975: [[Padma Shri]], [[Government of India]]
* 1978-9: [[Sahitya Kala Parishad]] Samman
* 1989: [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]], [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]]
* 1991: [[Padma Bhushan]], Government of India
* 1997: Crystal Award, [[World Economic Forum]]
* 2001: [[Padma Vibhushan]], Government of India
* 2010: [[Grammy_Award_for_Best_Traditional_World_Music_Album]] for ''Ancient Sounds'' with [[Rahim Alhaj]]
* 2010: [[Vivekananda National Award]] for Lifetime Achievement from the [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]]
* 2010: Honorary Doctorate, [[Mangalayatan University]]
* 2010: Honorary Doctorate in Literature, [[North Bengal University]]
* 2011: [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]], Sangeet Natak Akademi
* 2011: [[Banga Bibhushan]], [[Government of West Bengal]]
* 2012: [[Gulab Khan Award]], [[Maharaja of Jodhpur|Kingdom of Marwar]] [[Gaj Singh]]
* 2012: Honorary Doctorate in Literature, [[Jadavpur University]]
* 2012: Prem Nazir International Award, [[Dammam]]
* 2012: Lifetime Achievement Award, [[Delhi Government]]
* 2012: [[Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Award]]
* 2015: Alva Virasat, [[Alva's Educational Foundation]]
* 2015: Swati Puraskar, [[Kerala Government]]
* 2016: Honorary Doctorate in Literature, [[Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/raipur-d-lit-conferred-on-sarod-virtuoso-ustad-amjad-ali-khan/articleshow/56180804.cms | title=Raipur: D Lit conferred on sarod virtuoso Ustad Amjad Ali Khan | work=The Times of India | date=26 December 2016 }}</ref>
* 2017: Gold Medal, [[Global Music Awards]]
* 2018: Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement, [[Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Amjad Ali Khan}}
*{{cite web|url=http://sarod.com/|title=Sarod.com|publisher=Official website}}
*{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p42984|label=Amjad Ali Khan}}

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1990–99}}
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khan, Amjad Ali}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]]
[[Category:Hindustani instrumentalists]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Gwalior]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Indian people of Pashtun descent]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in arts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]]
[[Category:Sarod players]]
[[Category:Modern School (New Delhi) alumni]]
[[Category:Sahitya Kala Parishad Awardee]]

Amjad Ali Khan - Revision history

ContactBot at 17:22, 28 March 2026