Re: Ustad Ali Akbar Khan
by CHIRAG VYAS on Jun 20, 2009 09:38 AM
May be a sur from saptak has died. Generating music for soul, Ustad created karnasen[music lovers] across the world. May his soul rest in peace.
TO those of you who do not know Khansaheb's contribution, he has done what Swami Vivekananda has done. Swami Vivekananda spread Hindu religion in the West,Khansaheb spread Indian music. Noted western classical musicians had no idea of the depth of Indian music. Once when Khansaheb played, a noted western musician said"I thought India is full of snake charmers. I had no idea India has such great music" Today several musicians from India come and perform in the west. It is possible only because of Khansaheb's contribution. THose of you who do not know him personally, please do not trash his legacy and contribution. His music is beyond religion. He is an enlightened soul, a great human being. He had absolutely no ego or arrogance despite his achievements. He reminds me of Bheeshma from Mahabharatha who stood on his oath to his father. Khansaheb taught music till his last breath since his father told him to spread music in the west. Teaching is his passion. He did not lose his sense of humor till his last breath. Please listen to his music. We can only give our pranaams to such people.
It's been a huge loss for Indian Classical Music. Undoubtedly the most accomplished musician in Indian Classical Music in the 20th century. It's quite disheartening that the Indian Media has covered so little about his sad demise. In the contemporary world people seem to have forgotten the contribution Khansaheb has made to Indian Classical Music
I had the greatest fortune of seeing Khansaheb for the past 13 years. I sat through his classes twice a week. Greatest blessing! Great human being, absolutely no ego, an enlightened soul, a saint. On Wednesday night all his students went to see him. He was sitting in his chair, whole body bent, not able to move. He taught his final lessson to his students, Raag Durga. Unforgettable lesson. We are left in vacuum with his loss.
Re: Mount Everest of Music
by Varalakshmi Ayala on Jun 20, 2009 09:00 PM
THere is always lots to talk about him. I am not his student. My duaghter is his student. He took her as his disciple at the young age of 4. I have been driving her and sitting in the class. I can enjoy music but cannot sing. Once Khansahbe was playing Raag Bhairavi in San Francisco Ramakrishna mission. In my mind I felt I was at the feet of my Holy Mother that I am associated with. Later on I realised that is meditation. Whenever he taught songs on Krishna, I used to mentally picture Mathura and Brindavan. It just comes automatically. That is the powe rof his music. Please join AACM Facebook group that my daughter created. You will know more and more from his students
Re: Mount Everest of Music
by Guest on Jun 20, 2009 06:06 PM
such are the signs of superhuman. these are unexpresseble losses. well, u r very lucky & so special one. u may feel proud n blessed throughout ur life. thanx for sharing. can pl share sm more experiences... want to know more about him. i am also a student of this gharana. at mysystem81@gmail.com
I can only say that a master of his caliber will not come in the next 500 years. He gave so much to Indian music, revolutionized instrumental music and the paved the way for another 10 generations to make a life for themselves musically. The West and the East has saluted this great soul. Indeed his demise is like the Himalayas crumbling down. I was saddened by comments on his personal life. When he sat with the sarod he was music himself….music personified…. He did the wisest thing to settle in USA because of complicated Indian attitudes, which would have torn him apart and destroyed his soulful music. His recordings will be the greatest treasure the music world can boast of. God bless his soul and may he rest in His laps in eternal peace.
Re: A mighty mountain crumbles down
by suhas mitra on Jun 20, 2009 12:32 AM
I completely agree with you Nayan da. It seems that the same complicated Indian attitudes are the cause that so little is being covered in the Indian media. Wouldn't be surprised if even the US media would be covering more. But I guess Khansaheb is way above all this. I also hope that the recordings of his music are preserved with the utmost care and respect.
Re: A mighty mountain crumbles down
by Varalakshmi Ayala on Jun 21, 2009 09:03 PM
Yes Khansaheb's performances and all his classes for the past 30 years are preserved. In fact, there is a huge library and archiving project going on at the college. Lots of his dedicated students(Americans of course) and few volunteers are helping to put together the library. All the tapes are being digitised and stored on computers. Please check the college website for more info and help in anyway possible for the sake of future generations.
