Grammy will popularise sarod: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, whose latest album has been nominated for the Grammy awards this year, feels that the honour can popularise the stringed instrument on the world stage.
"I will be happy if the sarod gets a place in the world mainstream music. I want sarod to be as popular as the guitar and violin. It should find an international place," Khan told reporters. "I don't play sarod just to be popular. Unlike many others, my work is not a rat race where you struggle to stay at the number one spot.
"It is a journey with grace and dignity, more like an elephant's leisurely walk. For me, my work is a complete surrender, devotion and dedication," the 64-year-old musician, who was taught by his father and guru Haafiz Ali Khan, said.
"With the Grammy nomination of my album, I have also been taken into the race. But, I have never been a part of any race. There hasn't been a big change in my life after I received the nomination. And, even if I get or don't get the Grammy, it won't make much difference to me," Khan said.
'Ancient Sounds', the musician's duet album with Iraqi Oud virtuoso Rahim Alhaj, has been nominated for the Grammy in the 'Best Traditional World Music Album' category. The Grammy Awards will be announced on January 31 in Los Angeles.
Khan, who was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian honour in 2001 would, however, not attend the Grammy Awards and will be playing at a concert in Bangalore. "I am sure my co-musician Rahim will go there. Even if one of us goes, it will serve the purpose. I had planned my Bangalore concert some six months ago." Nevertheless, he thinks that getting the Grammy will be an honour for him and the country.
"An honour is an honour. And, when that honour comes from outside your country, it is a bigger honour as it becomes an honour for the entire country. It is good if my album wins the award," he said.
Asked whether he had expected the nomination, he said it had been a pleasant surprise for him. Along with him, Oscar-winner music composer A R Rahman and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain are the other Indians who have been nominated for the Grammy
