Amjad Ali Khan Biography 
Amjad Ali Khan is the son of great sarod player, Hafiz Ali Khan. Amjad Ali Khan is one of the greatest artists of present times who popularized this instrument globally, all over the world. He is the leading sarod player at present. He is the sixth-generation descendant of the famous Bangash Gharana of sarod players. His family claims to have invented the sarod. Nanneh Khan, his grandfather was a superstar of sarod during 19th century. His sons, Amaan and Ayaan have also stepped into the world of music as seventh generation descendants. Amjad Ali Khan has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, in 2001 by Indian government. He has also received Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2011 and numerous other honours.
Amjad was born on 9 October 1945 in Gwalior in a musical family. His real name is Masoom Ali Khan and he was born to Gwalior court musician Hafiz Ali Khan and Rahat Jahan as the youngest of 7 children. He learnt music from his family. When Hafiz Ali Khan was appointed as a guest by a cultural organization of Delhi, the family shifted to country capital. In Delhi, he joined at a day scholar and completed his schooling in the year 1963.
Khan first performed in the United States in 1963 and was active in stage concerts still 2000. He has done several experiments with his musical instrument. Khan has worked with Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and has also worked as a visiting professor at the University of New Mexico. In 2011, he performed with his sons for the album titled, Everything is Everywhere. Amjad Khan has married twice. After the failed arranged marriage, he married noted Bharatanatyam dancer Subhalakshmi, on September 25, 1976. Khan has also received honours including - Padma Shri in 1975, the Padma Bhushan in 1991, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001, and was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 1989. He received Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2004.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 06, 2014
