Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash on Ustad Amjad Ali Khan: ‘Abba Saheb’s teaching and philosophy are beyond music’

One cannot be faulted for assuming that sarod virtuoso Ustad Amjad Ali Khan‘s sons — Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash– would pursue music. And they did, but without any pressure. “It was understood,” they said in an exclusive interaction with indianexpress.com.

Calling their father a strict traditionalist but one who is equally open to changes, the brothers talk about their growing up years, listening to Western music, the role their mother played in their lives, and why they have stayed away from Bollywood in all these years. Edited excerpts below:

Q: Tell us about your growing-up years. Was music something you really wanted to pursue?

Ayaan: Growing up in a household immersed in music, we took the shape of the vessel––music––like water. Our father has been a strict traditionalist, but always believed in adapting to change. In all honesty, Indian classical music is inherently individualistic, with no fixed rules on how it should be presented or executed. Life’s experiences––its highs and lows––shape you and your music. I constantly question my musicality. I am in a constant search to keep challenging myself and doing things differently.

Amaan: Growing up in a musical environment, our passion for music became central to our existence. Being the sons of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Saheb is a profound honour. We feel blessed to have him as our father, and his music, humility, simplicity, and politeness deeply inspire us. It was a natural progression for us, understood rather than pressured.

 

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Q: Having said that, how would you describe your relationship with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan — as a father, and as a teacher.

Ayaan: Initially, our relationship with our father was more father-son than guru-student, but the shift between these roles has been effortless. He has been both a patient teacher and a loving father, with his teaching and philosophy extending beyond music. Performing with him is a blessing, and while I offer humble suggestions, the final decision is his, though he’s very open to input. My brother and I have different experiences, as music is deeply personal. Till you play solo, you’ll never know what is good or bad.

Our mother, an artist who studied under Rukmini Devi Arundale, played a crucial role in our lives, sacrificing her career for the family. What we are today is largely due to her contributions, and as our father says, a mother is every child’s first guru.

Q: Ayaan, much like you used to, now your twin sons also perform on stage with you and your father. Does it feel like you are reliving your childhood through them?

Ayaan: Teaching music is an incomparable journey, the guru guiding you from the visible to the invisible and from the material to the divine. During the lockdown, spending time with Zohaan and Abeer led to significant musical progress in them. They played their first track, called Our Love, for my father’s birthday in 2020, the greatest birthday present for him. They are blessed with early support from music lovers and the opportunity to perform alongside their grandfather. I hope they build their own legacy and continue to spread the universal message of music. I am deeply grateful for this blessing.

Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash with their father. (Express photo)

Q: Your views on the state of Indian classical music today, especially in the age of AI.

Ayaan: I embrace change and relevance, but trends often have limited impact on sustainability. While 30-second reels are popular, six-minute tracks still have their audience. Changing times influence us, as music reflects who we are. What works is what is liked and loved, and we must respect that.

Amaan: The universal message of togetherness and unity resonates worldwide. Today’s audience knows their preferences, so as long as something is appealing, it’s successful. While AI has the potential to be groundbreaking, it’s too early to determine its ultimate impact.

Q: While you dabbled with Bollywood, you left it quickly. What has kept you away from it for all these years?

Amaan and Ayaan: Musicians playing characters is common in the Western world, and it was also seen in India. From K L Saigal and M S Subbulakshmi to Balamurali Krishna and my father, who appeared as Amjad Ali Khan in the film Sparsh, many musicians have embraced this. Just as one handles a raga, handling a character is possible if the role is appealing. We didn’t pursue films because nothing exciting materialised.

 

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Q: As a child/during your growing up years, when did you realise who your father was, and the boots you had to fill?

Amaan and Ayaan: Music reflects who we are, and as siblings, we intuitively understand each other on stage without rehearsals. Our duets aim to create a bouquet, though we have our solo careers. Our father encouraged us to listen broadly, not limiting us to specific artists or genres. This freedom allowed us to be influenced by both traditional Indian classical music and our contemporary choices.

Q: Assuming Sarod is your first love, your second is…

Amaan and Ayaan: Spending time with family as we are always on the road.

Q: Tell about the evolution of the music industry

Ayaan: Music, like all industries, has adapted and reinvented itself, especially after the pandemic. Some venues, like Carnegie Hall, still require Covid tests for safety. Despite challenges, festivals and venues are returning to normal, and we’re grateful to be back performing. The industry has been a trooper. Change is a constant phenomenon, so we do see every era making live events their own and giving it a new spin.

The duo will be performing ‘Songs of the River’ at the Malhar and the Sea, a musical evening by Showhouse Events in Goa on August 31. Their presentation will trace the musical journey of various rivers from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal in the east & Arabian Sea in the west. For more details, visit http://www.malharandthesea.in

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