Mumbai, 23rd February, 2017: Since time immemorial, music has articulated a universal language, bringing artists out of their cultural milieu to engender a confluence of styles merging diverse instruments and sounds. Critically acclaimed Sarod maestro’s Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash latest jaunt and 42ndcompilation album ‘Journey: Rabab to Sarod’ echoes this age old adage.
The spiritually compelling album also featuring the renowned Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Daud Khan Sadozi was launched this evening at Taj Vivanta by India’s largest and oldest music label, Saregama in association with Standard Chartered in the presence of legendary film personality Amitabh Bachchan. The ritzy event also saw other high profile guests in attendance, expressing their admiration for the unique compilation that finds its place amongst other masterpieces in the classical genre.
Whilst paying homage to their musical roots, ‘Journey: Rabab to Sarod’, the duo embrace folk and homegrown classical music through cross-genre collaborations, while emphasizing a fervent response to the humanitarian trauma of discord prevalent in today’s times. A first in the history of world music, the album assimilates two distinct sounds of the Sarod and the Rabab. The album is a paradigm of classical Indian and Middle Eastern ragas and exemplifies one of the tenants of raga: the relationship between the instrument and the musician.
While the Rabab has its essence in Folk and the Sarod in Indian Classical Music, the two instruments find their ancestry deeply inter-connected with the history of central Asia and the Middle East. Amjad Ali Khan’s forefathers who hailed from Afghanistan, performed on the Rabab about 30 decades ago. They settled in Madhya Pradesh, Reva and Gwalior and practiced religiously on the Rabab which finally yielded into the origin of the Sarod by Ghulam Bandegi Khan Bangash and his son Ghulam Ali Khan.
Touted as ‘the young guns of Indian classical music’ Amaan Ali Bangash & Ayaan Ali Bangash believe, “Interdisciplinary exchanges between Indian and foreign artists of the classical music community have yielded transformative experiences in the past. Our aim with this album was to reflect on today’s times and how the sense of accord is imperative to ensure more cohesive existence. One of the ideas central to this album was that classical music can be accessible to all, without losing its integrity. We chose the title to symbolize our relationship with classical music, as our endowment lies in our legacy.”
Thespian Sarod artiste Amjad Ali Khan adds on, “A raga is the projection of the artist’s inner spirit, a manifestation of his most profound sentiments and sensibilities brought forth through tones. The musician must breathe life into each raga as he unfolds and expands it. This album brings together different kind of ragas and will transcend the listener into a surreal realm. This album signifies the interior quest that we all take to find a sense of inner peace, truth and acceptance – a universal desire that unites humanity.”
Vikram Mehra, Managing Director, Saregama India Ltd said, “It is an honour for Saregama to support this album by Khan Sahab and sons, who have made the Sarod famous not only in India but across the world.”
Zarin Daruwala, CEO, Standard Chartered, India said, “We are pleased to be associated with the launch of – The Journey: Rabab to Sarod. This is a good initiative as it brings this ancient musical instrument (Rabab) to India and provides an opportunity to music enthusiasts to soak in its melodious waves. This album, am sure, will further enrich our culture in more than one way.”
Celebrated Rabab player Daud Khan Sadozai reiterated, “Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s forefathers used to play the Afghani instrument Rabab which is akin to the Sarod. Ghulam Bandegi Khan Bangash and his son Ghulam Ali Khan tailored and invented the Sarod from the Rabab. They have given a timeless bequest to the world in the form of the Sarod which is an extension of the Rabab.”
The album will be available for download on www.saregama.com
. Songs will also be available on iTunes, Saavn, Hungama Music, Eros and Gaana.
. Songs will also be available on iTunes, Saavn, Hungama Music, Eros and Gaana.