Amjad Ali Khan to perform on AIR after a gap of 10 years

New Delhi, Sep 14 (UNI) There is a treat for music lovers on Saturday night.

Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will be performing on All India Radio after a gap of almost 10 years.

As part of the one and a half hour recital, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will play Raag Darbari, Raag Maru Bihag, Raag Mian Ki Malhar, Raag Shudh Kalyan, besides two Bhajans - Vaishnav Janato and Ram Dhun.

The Sarod recital can be heard on almost all main primary stations of AIR at 2130 hrs on Saturday on the National Programme of Music.

Speaking about the upcoming performance, the sarod maestro said, "India has a rich tradition of classical music, immortalised by such greats like Swami Haridas, Mian Tansen, Baiju Bawra, Purandaradasa, Thyagaraja, Swathi Tirunal, Shyama Sastry, Muthuswamy Dikshitar and others. We, the contemporary musicians are trying to spread the greatness of Indian music to the masses. I am keen that the tradition of Indian Classical music is preserved and furthered by the artistes of the younger generation".

About the selection of the Raagas and Bhajans for the programme, the Ustad said, "I have selected those Raagas for the performance which have attained an iconic status. The two bhajans - Ram Dhun and Vaishnava Janato, were the favourties of Bapuji Mahatma Gandhi. They happen to be my favourites as well." Brijeshwar Singh, CEO, Prasar Bharati said, "Participation of music luminaries like Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will help widen the popular appeal of AIR's National Programme of Music." ''In presenting Ram Dhun in a light classical style, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has done a pioneering work," he added.

All India Radio has been in the forefront of promoting Indian Classical Music - both Hindustani as well as Carnatic. It has been devoting considerable time for broadcasting Classical music programmes, not withstanding the commercial considerations of the fast changing broadcasting world.

As a result, it has built a rich archive of rare performances of master artistes, which are now being released in the form of CDs and DVDs, to cater to the tastes of discerning audience.

Recently, Doordarshan Archives released a set of four DVDs featuring solo and jugalbandi performances by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

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