The sarod brothers

Music for Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash is as much a family affair as a solo pursuit

August 23, 2018 05:46 pm | Updated 05:46 pm IST

 Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash

Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash

When your father is one of the most illustrious musicians, it’s hard to get away from the legacy. Ayaan and Amaan Ali Bangash’s story is not different from that of other progeny of famous parents. Though every such child learns to deal with the legacy in his/her own way, there is something that binds them. They are constantly striving to walk in their celebrity parents’ much-too-big shoes and yet find their feet.

“Six is not the age when you understand what your father means to the world or what you are expected to do as his sons. Our training began that early. And it isn’t surprising since music is a way of life in our family,” says Ayaan in that familiar measured voice, making you wonder if it is his sarod maestro-father Ustad Amjad Ali Khan speaking. His thoughts sound similar too. “His perception of life and art; the tehzeeb and ada have seeped into our psyche,” says the younger of the two.

Even before they could find themselves in their music, the brothers, grandsons of Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, were entrusted with the task of living up to the legacy. “We didn’t even realise the name is going to be such a big deal. But it is. Much depends on how you look at it. It is a blessing to have Ustad Amjad Ali Khan for a father because you have the advantage of working on a well-established link with listeners. There are many talented artistes, but we have had the privilege of performing at venues such as the Carnegie Hall and Smithsonian in the U.S., Sydney Opera House, Palais Beau-Arts in Brussels and St. James Palace, London. Also, you get to interact with the best in music. With such advantages in our favour, we make sure to never be a cause of embarrassment to abba ,” says Amaan.

And, the flip side? The endless suspicion that they are riding on their legendary forefathers’ coattails. And if they attempt to do something new, the charge ‘of breaking the centuries-old family tradition’ comes flying thick and fast. It has been tougher for them to establish their identity.

A reason why they recently refused to accept the Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. “We have been performing across the world for the past 25 years and have several albums to our credit. And they want to give us a Yuva Puraskar at this point,” wonders Amaan.

The brothers have been foraying into cross-genre exercises (with Iraqi oudh virtuoso Rahim AlHaj, folk singer Carrie Newcomer, violinist Elmira Darvarova, Karsh Kale and symphony orchestras), experimenting with performances in unusual settings and finding ways to reach out to newer audiences. Besides playing with their father, they perform together and as soloists. “Our father has been supportive of our endeavours despite his strong belief in convention. Throughout his long journey, he has been careful to not do anything that would bring disrepute to the craft. For him, ragas are a representation of the divine and signify peace and harmony. He has taught us to hold our dignity on stage and off it; to cherish the blessings of senior artistes and the appreciation of the audience,” says Ayaan

“Though indulgent, abba will immediately make clear his displeasure if unhappy over something we have done. He will convey it through his silence. One moment he would be chatting with us, and the next he could turn into a taskmaster. Whenever we are in doubt if we are his able successors, his advise is, ‘you could be better than the best with hardwork and humility’. The one quality he insists an artiste should never give up is humility. That is why he is known as a soft-spoken Ustad,” adds Amaan.

Talking about their growing-up years, the brothers say they owe it to their mother Subbulakshmi, who helped them balance academics and riyaaz. They don’t recall complaining about the gruelling routine. “As kids we didn’t know what to say when friends asked why abba doesn’t go to an office or why we trained so hard in music. I am sure they have found the answers,” laughs Amaan.

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