If our family were a portrait, the sarod would be the frame

Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, sons of sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, reflect on their growing up years and the art of balancing contemporary influences while staying rooted in classical tradition

- SAKSHI KAITHWAS

It's always intriguing to see how artistes in any creative field, be it music, painting, or cooking, take the raw ingredients of their craft and transform them into something uniquely their own. With a blend of understanding, skill, and passion, they carve masterpieces that not only set them apart but also allow them the freedom to push artistic boundaries. This is precisely what Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash have been doing with their music. As the sons of the legendary Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, the instrument sarod runs through their veins, their childhood steeped in the echoes of riyaaz, discipline, and the rich classical traditions passed down through generations.

In a chat with TMS, Amaan and Ayaan, who have recently released a new Holi album, Colors and Celebrations with folk singer Malini Awasthi, talks about their musical lineage, their connection with the sarod, and what it truly means to keep tradition alive while embracing the rhythm of change.

Excerpts:

Your family has a deep lineage with sarod, but how do you envision its place in the contemporary musical landscape?

Amaan: The sarod is my entire journey. It holds the essence of my childhood, from my father carrying me in his arms to my mother cooking in the kitchen and serving me meals. If our family were a portrait, the sarod would be the frame that holds us together. It is the glue that binds our family, shaping our relationships and keeping us close.