Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was born on October 9, 1945 . Younger of the two sons of the famous Sarod maestro Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Sahib. Young Amjad Ali was also called Masoom Ali Khan.
Masoom was born at his ancestral house at Gwalior, presented to Amjad’s great grandfather by the Gwalior royal family.
His 65-year-old grandfather became his guru. Like any other child of a musical household, Masoom was immersed in music : Tanpuras being tuned, tablas being hammered and pulled to set, the strings of the tarab being adjusted ...
It was probably at the age of five he found himself playing the sarod and realized that it would be his life’s aim.
In 1957, Ustd. Hafiz Ali Khan left his forefathers place Gwalior and arrived in New Delhi. This city became Ustd.’s home for the rest of his life. Khan Sahib never made money from music.
Once in New Delhi, Amjad began his formal education from the reputed Modern School. Twelve-year-old Amjad was probably, the only student with a rich legacy.
During his school days, he had no interest in mathematics, and rarely stayed back to play games. He usually rushed home to his father to play the sarod, who also would wait for his son’s return. Amjad was already on way to an extremely productive and creative life.
He accompanied his father at various concerts even during his school days. He performed at various festivals and contributed to the family income. Amjad’s first performance at school was on the UN day in 1959. Amjad’s sarod soon came to be recognized.
Amjad gave his first public performance in Bombay in 1961. In 1963, he was part of a delegation of artists, musicians and dancers sent to the US. The only teenager from Modern School to join the delegation.
From then along what we now know as a legendary sarod player and an Indian icon, who almost always makes international appearances and with hundreds of thousands of fans, Amjad Ali Khan has his own school where he trains future sarod artists.
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