Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who believes cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna at the right age, says people who have musical talent, like sportspersons, must be encouraged when they are young.

"I am very happy seeing that musicians of (my sons) Amaan and Ayaan's generation are taking an interest in sitar, sarod and vocal classical music. But I feel what's needed is commitment and encouragement. Musical talent needs to be encouraged like sportsmen are - from the age of 24, 25," Amjad Ali said here as he received the NDTV Indian of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award Tuesday night.

"I feel Bharat Ratna for Sachin Tendulkar came at the right time. We musicians get it at the age of 70, 80 and 90," he added.

Master-blaster Tendulkar was honoured with the country's highest civilian award earlier this year.

Amjad Ali, whose sons Ayaan and Amaan are accomplished sarod players too, said he maintains a "constant connect" to music as he keeps singing or humming multiple times in a day.

Even after several years of being associated with music, he says he is still trying to make space for himself as "music is an ocean, and I'm just a drop in the ocean".