Amjad Ali Khan

Born in 1945 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Amjad Ali Khan learnt the Sarod from his father Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, an illustrious representative of the Senia gharana and among the earliest fellows of the Akademi. He began performing in public while still in his teens and established himself soon as an instrumentalist of exceptional ability. He has evolved a style which is conventional in technique but highly individual in spirit.

Among our foremost Sarod players today, Ustad amjad Ali Khan has performed extensively at home and abroad since the 1960s. He has introduced innovations in classical music and besides composed vocal and orchestral music for children. Among the many gramophone records and cassettes he has issued are those specially for the popularization of classical music among children. He is guru to several musicians of the younger generation players of Sarod and sitar.

Among other honours, he received the UNESCO Award in 1970 and the Padma Shri in 1975. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Hindustani Instrumental music in 1989.