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In a chat wih Mithun Dasgupta, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan says creativity needs a world of peace Creativity can be harnessed only in a peaceful world, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan says, voicing concern over the mounting threats to peace since the 9/11 attacks in the US ten years ago and the recent retaliatory killing of Osama bin Laden. "For any creative activity you need a peaceful world. That peace has been under threat ever since the 9/11 attacks in New York and the retaliation against Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. "I hope all terror leaders will consider the future of children, including their own," says the master musician voicing his concerns over the present world scenario.
"Collectively, we have to provide peace and harmony, especially for the future of the next generation," adds Khan, while expressing anguish over the sense of insecurity that curtails creativity and compassion. He adds: "It is very sad that mere education could not create compassion and kindness among human beings. All these disasters and violence are planned and created by highly educated people." "I think there is something wrong in our school education system. Children should be taught the value of love, peace and harmony more than mathematics and English," he adds. Khan was in Kolkata recently to receive a lifetime achievement award from luxury accessories maker Mont Blanc and Dakshinee, a premier music academy. The 65-year-old musical genius feels strongly about music at a time when peace is under threat. However, he believes that music will reflect the life around us. Despite the invasion of electronics on traditional music and musical instruments, the country has outstanding young musicians, he adds. "There are young and outstandingly talented musicians in India, from the south and from the north," says Khan. The next generation has a lot of advantages with the digital revolution, taking place in music production. "In my time it was only the good old radio and later only one television channel." The maestro, on whom Padma Vibhushan was conferred in 2001, is well in tune with the changing world of music.His latest album Samaagam is a collaboration with European classical musicians. "I have composed a special piece for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. This is the first ‘sarod concerto’ in the history of Indian classical Music. I am playing with 50 European musicians," adds Khan. Asked whether he will compose any special piece of music or album on the occasion of the Tagore anniversary, the maestro says: "I will like to do another album." Khan recalls: "I
first paid my tribute to Tagore, together with Suchitra Mitra
(legendary exponent of Tagore’s songs) 15 to 20 years back."
The album was Tribute to Tagore — the first time Rabindra Sangeet
was played on sarod, the way the songs were composed by Gurudev. Khan,
a recipient of several national and international awards, says he has
great regards for the contributions of Tagore as a composer. "The
world knows him only as a great poet. But he was an equally great
composer," he adds. — IANS
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