Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
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About
Amjad Ali Khan stands among the worlds most revered masters of classical music. Born into a legendary musical lineage as the son of sarod virtuoso Haafiz Ali Khan, he gave his first public performance at the tender age of six. Renowned for revolutionizing the technique of sarod playing, he has shaped a career that spans over six illustrious decades.
He is a recipient of the UNESCO Award, Padma Vibhushan (Highest Indian civilian award), Unicef's National Ambassadorship, The Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum and Hon'ry Doctorates from the Universities of York in 1997, England, Delhi University in 1998, Rabindra Bharati University in 2007, Kolkata and the Vishva Bharti (Deshikottam) in Shantiniketan in 2001. He has represented India in the first World Arts Summit in Venice in 1991, received Hon'ry Citizenship to the States of Texas (1997), Massachusetts (1984), Tennessee (1997), the city of Atlanta, Georgia (2002), Albuquerque, NM (2007)and the Key of the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Fort Lauderdale, Miami. April 20th, 1984 was declared as Amjad Ali Khan Day in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1995, Mr. Khan awarded the Gandhi UNESCO Medal in Paris for his composition Bapukauns. In 2003,the maestro received Commander of the Order of Arts and letters by the French Government and the Fukuoka Cultural grand prize in Japan in 2004.His groundbreaking sarod concerto Samaagam has been performed by leading orchestras across the globe, such as the Britten Sinfonia, Orchestre National d'le-de-France, Orchestre dAuvergne, London Philharmonia, Gulbenkian Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony, Welsh National Opera, Atlanta Symphony, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
As an educator, he has shared his knowledge at institutions including Stanford University, the University of New Mexico, and the Jacobs School of Music. In recognition of his artistic excellence and contributions to global music, he was awarded the Gold Medal at the Global Music Awards.
In 2018, Amjad Ali Khan headlined the United Nations Day Concert alongside his sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, and the Refugee Orchestra Project. The concert, dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, embraced the theme of Traditions of Peace and Non-Violence and was held in the presence of UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres.
In a unique collaboration bridging genres, Khan joined Gwen Stefani and Jon Bon Jovi for VetsAid, the charity concert organized by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joe Walsh, in both 2020 and 2021. Together with Walsh, he released a three-song EP titled Prayers, honoring doctors and frontline workers during the pandemic.
In a recent tribute to his extraordinary legacy, the city of San Diego officially declared April 13 as Amjad Ali Khan Day.
He is a recipient of the UNESCO Award, Padma Vibhushan (Highest Indian civilian award), Unicef's National Ambassadorship, The Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum and Hon'ry Doctorates from the Universities of York in 1997, England, Delhi University in 1998, Rabindra Bharati University in 2007, Kolkata and the Vishva Bharti (Deshikottam) in Shantiniketan in 2001. He has represented India in the first World Arts Summit in Venice in 1991, received Hon'ry Citizenship to the States of Texas (1997), Massachusetts (1984), Tennessee (1997), the city of Atlanta, Georgia (2002), Albuquerque, NM (2007)and the Key of the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Fort Lauderdale, Miami. April 20th, 1984 was declared as Amjad Ali Khan Day in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1995, Mr. Khan awarded the Gandhi UNESCO Medal in Paris for his composition Bapukauns. In 2003,the maestro received Commander of the Order of Arts and letters by the French Government and the Fukuoka Cultural grand prize in Japan in 2004.His groundbreaking sarod concerto Samaagam has been performed by leading orchestras across the globe, such as the Britten Sinfonia, Orchestre National d'le-de-France, Orchestre dAuvergne, London Philharmonia, Gulbenkian Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony, Welsh National Opera, Atlanta Symphony, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
As an educator, he has shared his knowledge at institutions including Stanford University, the University of New Mexico, and the Jacobs School of Music. In recognition of his artistic excellence and contributions to global music, he was awarded the Gold Medal at the Global Music Awards.
In 2018, Amjad Ali Khan headlined the United Nations Day Concert alongside his sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, and the Refugee Orchestra Project. The concert, dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, embraced the theme of Traditions of Peace and Non-Violence and was held in the presence of UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres.
In a unique collaboration bridging genres, Khan joined Gwen Stefani and Jon Bon Jovi for VetsAid, the charity concert organized by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joe Walsh, in both 2020 and 2021. Together with Walsh, he released a three-song EP titled Prayers, honoring doctors and frontline workers during the pandemic.
In a recent tribute to his extraordinary legacy, the city of San Diego officially declared April 13 as Amjad Ali Khan Day.