Seven years ago, sarod exponents Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash released the album Rang: Colours of Sufism . With qawwali singers joining them, they did popular numbers like ‘Aaj Rang Hai’ , ‘Man Kunto Maula’ and ‘Zihaal-e-Miskin’ . Their show this evening may be called Rang, but the concert will be different from their album. Here, the duo will be joined by drummer Gino Banks, tabla player Ojas Adhiya, dholak exponent Navin Sharma and keyboardist-vocalist Sangeet Haldipur.
“There will be a Sufi element [to the show] but there will also be folk melodies and classical compositions which we will blend with Western rhythms and arrangements,” explains Ayaan. His brother Amaan adds, “Some 70 per cent of the music will be spontaneously improvised. The good thing about the musicians performing is that we share a common frequency. So we will just go there and enjoy what we play.”
The sons of sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, both Amaan and Ayaan have been part of several experimental projects in the past, besides playing traditional classical music. Previously, the brothers have performed with ace guitarists Joe Walsh of the Eagles and Derek Trucks of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, who have also learnt a bit of sarod. “We have also collaborated with Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie, American classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, British violinist Jennifer Pike and oud player Rahim Alhaj, besides Indian artistes like keyboardist Louiz Banks, bassist Karl Peters, and drummers Sivamani and Ranjit Barot,” says Amaan. According to Ayaan, the most important thing about such projects is the connection between musicians. “Most of the time, it works, but there are also times it doesn’t. But they broaden one’s musical horizons,” he adds.
Amaan and Ayaan speak proudly about Samaagam, the sarod concerto Amjad Ali Khan composed after being approached by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. “He mostly plays a solo role, but sometimes, we play it as a trio. It’s a challenging piece, almost 45 minutes long,” says Amaan.
In the same vein, the brothers also plan to write a concerto of their own. “Right now, we are concentrating on how to play this concerto. Very soon our father will release his second concerto. This form is like an ocean, but once we are ready, both of us will consider writing our own concerto,” says Ayaan. In the near future, the brothers are looking forward to the release of their album with multi-instrumentalist and producer Karsh Kale. Says Amaan, “We have been working on it for a long time. We are also collaborating with some wonderful rock bands but it’s still early to give details.”
Rang will be held at Nehru Centre, Worli this evening at 7.30 p.m.; see bookmyshow
