London,Sept 28: Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan received a standing ovation from a packed audience at the Royal Festival Hall at a concert specially held to celebrate his 50th year of performance.
During the three-hour long performance, the Ustad rendered several Rag Malhars including Kirwani and Bhairavi. His sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash along with ace cellist Matthew Barley also regaled the audience with their solo pieces on Sarod and Cello.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who first performed at the age of eight, won the loudest applause for his concluding Rag Kalavathi, aptly composed as a tribute to the Navras Records which has been the live-wire in keeping the Indian music and culture alive in the UK for the last one decade. Noted British Poetess Catherine Ryan who released an Album on the occasion described Amjad Khan`s performance as outstanding and mesmerising. "Khan is a spiritual, expressive musician, technically brilliant and inventive player. He has mesmerized the audience with his performance," 94-year old Katherine said. Bureau Report