USTAD ALI AKBAR KHAN

An international figure and almost a household name. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan is considered to be a prince among musicians for whom the sarod and the self are identical entities. With Ali Akbar, Sarod is not just an instrument, it is a replica of life, vibrating and pulsating - immortalising all that sound and sense can carry.

Ali Akbar initiated in music at the age of three by his illustrious father Ustad Allaudin Khan who is acknowledged as one of the greatest musician and teacher of the century in Hindustani classical music. From the age of nine Ali Akbar practised music eighteen hours a day for the next fifteen years, learning vocal music, drums and other instruments before concentrating on Sarod. At the age of 14, he gave his first public performance at Allahabad. While in his early 20s Ali Akbar became the court musician for the Maharaja of Jodhpur.

Trained in the most disciplined manner, in Dhrupad, Dhamar, Alap and such other rigid styles. Ali Akbar was a prodigy, he did not imitate his father nor the raga-design left for posterity by Wazir Khan. Akbar composed many ragas on his own and he continuously improvised, improving the raga motif, unearthing the inexhaustible source of tonal-patterns and created in his life-time a myth that generations will remember with respect and admiration.

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan composed music for the following films:

1. Aandhiyaan |1952|

            1. Aayee Aisi Aandhiyaan Bujh Gaye - Lata Mangeshkar 

            2. Dard Baant Raha Hai Kise Dard Chahiye - Asha Bhosle

            3. Dil Ka Khazana Khol Diya - Asha Bhosle

            4. Nayan Man Mora Bana Mor - Lakshmi Shankar

            5. Hai Kahin Par Shadmaani Aur Kahin - Lata Mangeshkar

            6. Main Mubaarak Bad DeNe Aayi Hoon - Surinder Kaur

            7. Wo Chand Nahi Hai Dil Hai Kisi - Hemant Kumar, Asha Bhosle

            8. Zindagi Ke Sabj Daaman Me Kabhi - Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore

2. Humsafar |1953|

            1. Aaj Sabko Naya Ek Khazana Mila -

            2. Hanse Chandni Bheegi Bheegi Hawayen - Geeta Dutt

            3. Kisi Ne Nazar Se Nazar Jab - Talat Mehmood, Asha Bhosle

            4. Koi Door Bajaye Baansuri - Lata Mangeshkar

            5. Leela Aprampar Teri Prabhuji - Kishore Kumar

            6. Mat Karo Kisi Se Pyar - Geeta Dutt

            7. O Ji aankhon Waalon Dekho Dekho - Geeta Dutt

            8. Tumhen Dulhan Mili Hamen Bhabhi Mili - Kishore Kumar