This story is from December 12, 2007

Santa Khan!

Mark Manuel / TNN / Dec 12, 2007, 00:00 IST

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Breaking all taboos associated with the sarod, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has produced a Christmas album.

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JINGLE ALL THE WAY: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (TOI Photo) Never mind Yanni this Christmas, or even Kenny G, there is a new and better musical album of carols and it has been done with great devotion by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan for Times Music on the sarod.
Driving to work yesterday morning, I heard in the car, the Ustad’s interpretation of the world’s most popular carols warming the heart and spreading Christmas cheer instantly.Then, hours later, I met the great musician himself, classically dressed in churidhaar-kurta and sandals, but with his distinguished salt-and-pepper hair and smiley pink cheeks looking like a jovial young Santa about to dress up for the Christmas party.
Twelve years ago, he played Silent Night in a Delhi church on Christmas eve, and the lights failed. The congregation lit candles and the Ustad continued, undeterred.
“Something happened to me that night, the atmosphere was so beautiful, it was almost magical... like something I’ve never experienced before,” Ustad Amjad Ali Khan told me. He played unplugged, and when the last strains of the classic carol had died down, almost miraculously the lights came on again. The faithful demanded an encore. But the Ustad declined. “It’s not God’s wish,” he said politely. But the memory of that mystical Christmas night remained. And when his sons, Aman and Ayaan, pressed him to do a Christmas album this year, he immediately agreed.

“Playing songs on a sarod is taboo, but I’ve always wanted to sing through my instrument,” he said softly, the fingers caressing his sarod lovingly. “As a musician, I realise that every song has limited notes, but I improvised within those notes and did not destroy the structure of the carols. People have heard these evergreen Christmas songs on the guitar, violin and even cello, they have been sung by so many singers, but on the sarod — never! I believe the sarod has much more depth. And I like listening to Christmas music. No, I have no favourite singer, I am inspired by sound and rhythm. Certain carols, the message they contain is so beautiful, I love the sound of the church organ, the cohesiveness of a symphony, 150 musicians harmonising and producing one piece of music.”

The festive spirit has permeated Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s soul, he begins to feel a certain joy in his heart at this time of the year, and he plays Christmas carols at home during the second fortnight of December.
He spends Christmas Day with his wife Subalakshmi and sons, the family accepts dinner invitations, they celebrate the festival with much fervour and joy.
“We will listen to my new album this year,” he said, eyes twinkling. “There are two kinds of music in the world. One is pure sound, it has no language. The other is based on language. But language creates barriers. I thank God I live in a world of sound. You don’t need to understand the sound of the sarod, you must feel it, realise and experience it, like you would do the music of Beethoven or Bach, do you understand?”
Well, almost.

About the Author

Mark Manuel

Mark Manuel is a hands-on editor with a finger on the pulse of his readers. He believes the essence of the English language lies in its simplicity. When he isn't working, Mark spends his time reading, listening to music and watching movies. He a connoisseur of fine wines and cigars.

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