New Delhi, Oct 30: Describing the conferment of the prestigious commander of arts and letters award on him by France as a recognition of Indian classical music abroad, Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan today said the French have always been deeply appreciative of his music. "It is a big privilege and honour to get love and respect from a foreign country as it is symbolic of our music and especially sarod getting recognised abroad," Khan, who was presented with the award by French ambassador Dominique Girard here, told reporters.


Recalling his 30-year-long association with France, Khan said he has performed in that country on numerous occasions and everytime it has been a memorable experience.


"My latest performace in France was in a month-long international festival of music and I was taken aback by the response I got. The audience showed its appreciation by hurling the cushions of the seats in the air and I had to cover my sarod to protect it," said Khan.


The Ustad dedicated the award to his father and guru Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan Sahab and other maestros of Indian classical music and stressed that he was not an entertainer but "a humble representative of a long legacy of indian classical music." "My family has been devoted to music for centuries, and my sons Amaan and Ayaan are the seventh generation carrying on the legacy," said Khan while expressing the hope that his sons can popularise Indian classical music among the youngsters in the country and abroad.


Calling the award a "tremendous encouragement", the maestro's younger son Ayaan Ali Bangash said it was "karmic" for him and his brother Amaan Ali Bangash to carry on the musical legacy and hoped they could live up to the expectations.

"Two generations playing together is something unique for western audiences and they really like the way we three coordinate on stage without even requiring to say a word," Ayaan said. Having toured Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and England recently, Khan is looking forward to perform in Spain and said sarod is becoming increasingly popular around the world and people are giving it the same importance as other string instruments like guitar or violin.

The Ustad said his mission in life now is to spread the message of peace and brotherhood across the globe through his music.


"There is a lot of suffering on account of hatred and arrogance. I want my music, which is a gift of god, to spread the message of peace and brotherhood". Bureau Report