NIKHIL GHOSH (1919-1995) Aneesh Pradhan

Copy Link

NIKHIL GHOSH (1919-1995) by Aneesh Pradhan In-depth training and a rich repertoire are two of the many essential prerequisites that are demanded of a serious practitioner of Hindustani music. Tabla maestro Nikhil Ghosh had the distinction of being a recipient of both, thus making him a repository of traditional tabla solo compositions from the Delhi, Ajrada, Lucknow, Farrukhabad and Punjab gharanas. This inheritance was largely because of his tutelage under three gurus, namely, Gyan Prakash Ghosh, Amir Hussein Khan and Ahmed Jan Thirakwa. Among the three, Gyan Prakash Ghosh had studied under Maseet Khan and Feroze Khan, Amir Hussein Khan had learnt from his maternal uncle Munir Khan, and Ahmed Jan Thirakwa had been a disciple of Munir Khan, though he had also learnt from his uncles. To go further into the past, Munir Khan was said to have learnt from twenty-four gurus following the major styles of tabla playing. This legacy was handed down to Nikhil Ghosh by his gurus over several years of training. Nikhil Ghosh did not come from a family of musicians, but his father and grandfather had studied music. It was however his elder brother Pannalal Ghosh, who first took up music as a professional pursuit. Known for his contribution to bringing the bansuri (bamboo flute) to centrestage in Hindustani music, Pannalal Ghosh was accompanied in several concerts and recordings by Nikhil Ghosh. Having had an exposure to raag music since as early age, Nikhil Ghosh also learnt vocal music. This passion for the melodic aspect of Hindustani music remained with him forever more, leading him to befriend vocalists and instrumentalists and to acquire traditional vocal compositions from leading senior vocalists. However, it was the tabla that he focused on and went on to accompany a host of vocalists and instrumentalists. His solos were marked by an emphasis on traditional compositions and an adherence to the spirit and structural framework of the taal. For him, mathematics played a secondary role, as he laid greater stress on the language of the instrument presented through various compositions. He freely employed dynamics in his solos and accompaniment, often lending a dramatic element to the performance. He was equally open to experimenting with presentation, as is evident from his handling of the repertoire or even the manner of producing melody from the bayan (bass drum). Nikhil Ghosh also had a brief stint as Assistant Music Director for Hindi feature films and had composed songs for non-film commercial recordings. His tabla solo was released by His Master’s Voice and his accompaniment to vocal and instrumental music was also featured on some commercial recordings. He was also a regular broadcaster on All India Radio Parallel to his professional commitment, Nikhil Ghosh was also an educationist. In fact, he focused more on this aspect in the later years of his life. He established a school for music and dance called Sangit Mahabharati, where music was notated as per a system devised by him. This system addressed in particular the specific needs of instrumental music and is explained in his book entitled Fundamentals of Raga and Tala with a New System of Notation. Nikhil Ghosh was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for his contribution to the field of Hindustani music. Among his disciples are his children Nayan Ghosh, Dhruba Ghosh, Tulika Ghosh and others like Eknath Pimple, Datta Yande, Karodilal Bhatt, Aneesh Pradhan, Gert Wegner and Keith Manning. .

Recommended publications

The West Bengal College Service Commission State

THE WEST BENGAL COLLEGE SERVICE COMMISSION STATE ELIGIBILITY TEST Subject: MUSIC Code No.: 28 SYLLABUS Hindustani (Vocal, Instrumental & Musicology), Karnataka, Percussion and Rabindra Sangeet Note:- Unit-I, II, III & IV are common to all in music Unit-V to X are subject specific in music Unit-I Technical Terms: Sangeet, Nada: ahata & anahata , Shruti & its five jaties, Seven Vedic Swaras, Seven Swaras used in Gandharva, Suddha & Vikrit Swara, Vadi- Samvadi, Anuvadi-Vivadi, Saptak, Aroha, Avaroha, Pakad / vishesa sanchara, Purvanga, Uttaranga, Audava, Shadava, Sampoorna, Varna, Alankara, Alapa, Tana, Gamaka, Alpatva-Bahutva, Graha, Ansha, Nyasa, Apanyas, Avirbhav,Tirobhava, Geeta; Gandharva, Gana, Marga Sangeeta, Deshi Sangeeta, Kutapa, Vrinda, Vaggeyakara Mela, Thata, Raga, Upanga ,Bhashanga ,Meend, Khatka, Murki, Soot, Gat, Jod, Jhala, Ghaseet, Baj, Harmony and Melody, Tala, laya and different layakari, common talas in Hindustani music, Sapta Talas and 35 Talas, Taladasa pranas, Yati, Theka, Matra, Vibhag, Tali, Khali, Quida, Peshkar, Uthaan, Gat, Paran, Rela, Tihai, Chakradar, Laggi, Ladi, Marga-Deshi Tala, Avartana, Sama, Vishama, Atita, Anagata, Dasvidha Gamakas, Panchdasa Gamakas ,Katapayadi scheme, Names of 12 Chakras, Twelve Swarasthanas, Niraval, Sangati, Mudra, Shadangas , Alapana, Tanam, Kaku, Akarmatrik notations. Unit-II Folk Music Origin, evolution and classification of Indian folk song / music. Characteristics of folk music. Detailed study of folk music, folk instruments and performers of various regions in India. Ragas and Talas used in folk music Folk fairs & festivals in India. Unit-III Rasa and Aesthetics: Rasa, Principles of Rasa according to Bharata and others. Rasa nishpatti and its application to Indian Classical Music. Bhava and Rasa Rasa in relation to swara, laya, tala, chhanda and lyrics.
Brevard Indian Classical Music Society Presents Sitar, Santoor & Tabla

brEVard iNdiaN ClaSSiCal MUSiC SoCiEty PrESENtS Sitar, SaNtoor & tabla Sponsored by BIMDA Event Chair: Subhash Rege, Mahesh Soni, Gladwyn Kurian SaNtoor Sitar tabla Nandkishor Muley Dr. Kanada Narahari Shankh Lahiri VENUE Brevard Hindu Mandir 1517 Avenida del Rio Melbourne, FL 32901 Date: Saturday, April 10th Program Starts: 4:30 pm Dinner: 7:45 pm MANDATORY Covid-19 Vaccination required to attend ... FREE to all Members PLEASE RSVP > BIMDA Email Invitation Brevard IndIan ClassICal MusIC soCIety Presents Nandkishor Muley SaNtoor Santur (Santoor) maestro Nandkishor Muley is considered the leading performer of this ancient, delicate instrument from the vibrant land of India. Nandkishor comes from a long lineage of musicians. Educated early in vocals and Tabla from his father Dattatraya and uncle Shrikant Muley. He is holding Masters degree in Indian music and Kathak dance from M.S. University of Baroda. Nandkishor had already received acclaim in India before entering study on the Santur with Pundit Shivkumar Sharma, which led to his current high esteem as a principal figure in Indian music. Nandkishor has been accredited with German Grammy Award, the famous ìSurmaniî award, the Excellence Art and Cultural Educator award from United Arts of Florida (USA), just to name a few. Nandkishor is widely travels different parts of world for his musical performances. His lectures and workshops on Indian Vocal & Instrumental classical music are highly educative to enrich learners & artists. He is an adjunct professor of Indian music and dance at Stetson University and University Of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando. Florida. Brevard IndIan ClassICal MusIC soCIety Presents Dr. Kanada Narahari Sitar Dr Kanada Narahari (Kanada Raghava) was born in Manchikeri, a small village in western ghats, Karnataka, India to his illustrious parents, Vidvan Narahari Keshava Bhat and Sumangala Bhat.
Blowing East : a Set of Performance Practice Instructions for a Western Flautist Presenting Japanese and Indian Inspired Works

Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses : Honours Theses 2007 Blowing east : A set of performance practice instructions for a western flautist presenting Japanese and Indian inspired works Asha Henfry Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons Part of the Music Practice Commons Recommended Citation Henfry, A. (2007). Blowing east : A set of performance practice instructions for a western flautist presenting Japanese and Indian inspired works. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1301 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1301 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. Where the reproduction of such material is done without attribution of authorship, with false attribution of authorship or the authorship is treated in a derogatory manner, this may be a breach of the author’s moral rights contained in Part IX of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Courts have the power to impose a wide range of civil and criminal sanctions for infringement of copyright, infringement of moral rights and other offences under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form.
Stephen M. Slawek Curriculum Vitae

Stephen M. Slawek Curriculum Vitae 10008 Sausalito Drive Butler School of Music Austin, TX 78759-6106 The University of Texas at Austin (512) 794-2981 Austin, TX. 78712-0435 (512) 471-0671 Education 1986 Ph.D. (Ethnomusicology) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1978 M.A. (Ethnomusicology) University of Hawaii at Manoa 1976 M. Mus. (Sitar) Banaras Hindu University 1974 B. Mus. (Sitar) Banaras Hindu University 1973 Diploma (Tabla) Banaras Hindu University 1971 B.A. (Biology) University of Pennsylvania Employment 1999-present Professor of Ethnomusicology, The University of Texas at Austin 2000 Visiting Professor, Rice University, Hanzsen and Lovett College 1989-1999 Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and Asian Studies, The University of Texas at Austin 1985-1989 Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology and Asian Studies, The University of Texas at Austin 1983-1985 Instructor of Ethnomusicology and Asian Studies, The University of Texas at Austin 1983 Visiting Lecturer of Ethnomusicology, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign 1982 Graduate Assistant, School of Music, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign 1978-1980 Archivist, Archives of Ethnomusicology, School of Music, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Scholarship and Creative Activities Books under contract The Classical Music of India: Going Global with Ravi Shankar. New York and London: Routledge Press. 1997 Musical Instruments of North India: Eighteenth Century Portraits by Baltazard Solvyns. Delhi: Manohar Publishers. Pp. i-vi and 1-153. (with Robert L. Hardgrave) SLAWEK- curriculum vitae 2 1987 Sitar Technique in Nibaddh Forms. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers and Booksellers. Pp. i-xix and 1-232. Articles in scholarly journals 1996 In Raga, in Tala, Out of Culture?: Problems and Prospects of a Hindustani Musical Transplant in Central Texas.
The Sixth String of Vilayat Khan

Published by Context, an imprint of Westland Publications Private Limited in 2018 61, 2nd Floor, Silverline Building, Alapakkam Main Road, Maduravoyal, Chennai 600095 Westland, the Westland logo, Context and the Context logo are the trademarks of Westland Publications Private Limited, or its affiliates. Copyright © Namita Devidayal, 2018 Interior photographs courtesy the Khan family albums unless otherwise acknowledged ISBN: 9789387578906 The views and opinions expressed in this work are the author’s own and the facts are as reported by her, and the publisher is in no way liable for the same. All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher. Dedicated to all music lovers Contents MAP The Players CHAPTER ZERO Who Is This Vilayat Khan? CHAPTER ONE The Early Years CHAPTER TWO The Making of a Musician CHAPTER THREE The Frenemy CHAPTER FOUR A Rock Star Is Born CHAPTER FIVE The Music CHAPTER SIX Portrait of a Young Musician CHAPTER SEVEN Life in the Hills CHAPTER EIGHT The Foreign Circuit CHAPTER NINE Small Loves, Big Loves CHAPTER TEN Roses in Dehradun CHAPTER ELEVEN Bhairavi in America CHAPTER TWELVE Portrait of an Older Musician CHAPTER THIRTEEN Princeton Walk CHAPTER FOURTEEN Fading Out CHAPTER FIFTEEN Unstruck Sound Gratitude The Players This family chart is not complete. It includes only those who feature in the book. CHAPTER ZERO Who Is This Vilayat Khan? 1952, Delhi. It had been five years since Independence and India was still in the mood for celebration.
Durham Research Online

Durham Research Online Deposited in DRO: 03 December 2015 Version of attached le: Accepted Version Peer-review status of attached le: Peer-reviewed Citation for published item: Clayton, Martin and Leante, Laura (2015) 'Role, status and hierarchy in the performance of North Indian classical music.', Ethnomusicology forum., 24 (3). pp. 414-442. Further information on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17411912.2015.1091272 Publisher's copyright statement: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor Francis Group in Ethnomusicology Forum on 01/09/2015, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17411912.2015.1091272. Additional information: Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. Durham University Library, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LY, United Kingdom Tel : +44 (0)191 334 3042 | Fax : +44 (0)191 334 2971 https://dro.dur.ac.uk Role, Status and Hierarchy in the Performance of North Indian Classical Music Martin Clayton and Laura Leante1 In this article we describe and interpret the interactions that take place between participants in performances of North Indian classical music.
THE RECORD NEWS ======The Journal of the ‘Society of Indian Record Collectors’ ------ISSN 0971-7942 Volume: Annual - TRN 2011 ------S.I.R.C

THE RECORD NEWS ============================================================= The journal of the ‘Society of Indian Record Collectors’ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ISSN 0971-7942 Volume: Annual - TRN 2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ S.I.R.C. Units: Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Nanded and Amravati ============================================================= Feature Articles Music of Mughal-e-Azam. Bai, Begum, Dasi, Devi and Jan’s on gramophone records, Spiritual message of Gandhiji, Lyricist Gandhiji, Parlophon records in Sri Lanka, The First playback singer in Malayalam Films 1 ‘The Record News’ Annual magazine of ‘Society of Indian Record Collectors’ [SIRC] {Established: 1990} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- President Narayan Mulani Hon. Secretary Suresh Chandvankar Hon. Treasurer Krishnaraj Merchant ==================================================== Patron Member: Mr. Michael S. Kinnear, Australia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Honorary Members V. A. K. Ranga Rao, Chennai Harmandir Singh Hamraz, Kanpur -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Membership Fee: [Inclusive of the journal subscription] Annual Membership Rs. 1,000 Overseas US $ 100 Life Membership Rs. 10,000 Overseas US $ 1,000 Annual term: July to June Members joining anytime during the year [July-June] pay the full
Application Received After Closing Date of Constable Gd Examination, 2015

APPLICATION RECEIVED AFTER CLOSING DATE OF CONSTABLE GD EXAMINATION, 2015 SL NO NAME FATHER'S NAME DOB 0001 AANSHU KUMAR AJIT RAM 05/01/1994 0002 AARTI KUMARI MOHAN DODRAY 22/08/1986 0003 AARTI KUMARI RAM PRASAD RAM 20/08/1998 0004 AARTI KUMARI SOMRA ORAON 07/01/1996 0005 AARTI KUMARI SHAH RAJ KUMAR SHAH 05/06/1992 0006 ABANI BOURI PIRULAL BOURI 05/06/1991 0007 ABANI MAHATA GUNADHAR MAHATA 03/05/1989 0008 ABANI SAREN BIBHUTI SAREN 10/03/1995 0009 ABANTI JENA NARASINGH JENA 02/05/1996 0010 ABBASUDIN ABDUL KHAYER 16/10/1994 0011 ABBIND KUMAR YADAV SHIV NARAYAN YADAV 03/03/1996 0012 ABDUL ALIM MAHASIN ALI 15/03/1995 0013 ABDUL ALIM ANSAR RAHIM ANSARI 09/11/1995 0014 ABDUL ALIM GAZI MOKSED GAZI 07/11/1994 0015 ABDUL MAZED ALI HOSSAIN 03/04/1996 0016 ABDUL OYAHED MD ACHHIRUDDIN 14/06/1990 0017 ABDUL RAJJAK ABUKALAM SK 15/12/1994 0018 ABDULLA OMAR FARUK ABDUL HAMID 12/05/1989 0019 ABDUR RAJJAK EKRAMUL RAJJAK 22/01/1997 0020 ABHA MAHATO AMRIT LAL MAHATO 13/06/1994 0021 ABHAIRAJ CHOWDHURY AMARNATH CHOWDHURY 20/12/1996 0022 ABHAY KUMAR SARBHU RAM 20/02/1995 0023 ABHAY KUMAR SINGH RAM PRAKASH SINGH 09/01/1994 0024 ABHAYA KUMAR JENA AMAR JENA 02/06/1997 0025 ABHAYA KUMAR PATI SUDHIR CHARAN PATI 05/04/1996 0026 ABHEEK MANDAL BAMDEB MANDAL 25/12/1995 0027 ABHI DAS KRISHNA KUMAR DAS 22/02/1994 0028 ABHIJEET RAI BHUWAN RAI 21/04/1995 0029 ABHIJIT BAGDI SUNDAR BAGDI 13/01/1993 0030 ABHIJIT BAURI CHANDI CHARAN BAURI 21/05/1993 0031 ABHIJIT BHATTACHARYA BIVASH BHATTACHARYA 03/01/1995 0032 ABHIJIT DAS AJIT DAS 26/06/1996 0033 ABHIJIT DAS DHARANIDHAR DAS
More Than Just a Tabla Wizard

«» FR1DAYREV1EW SPOTLIGHT FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 ft **3C In 1974, he formed the group Traya with his sons Nayan and Druba (a sarangi player), and per formed and conducted lec-dems at universities across the globe. "During his extensive travels, he developed a close rapport with iconic musicians such as Ye- hudi Menuhin, Benjamin Britten, Larry Adler, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dave Bru- beck," says Nayan. Wide perspective More than "My father would make us (sister Tulika is a trained vocalist) listen to Beethoven, Bach and Ameri can Country music. He hated just a tabla building boundaries around art. He would say open-mindedness is the way forward in life. Some one who believed in wholesome wizard development of personality, he didn't let us give up academics because we were into music. He Pt Nikhil Ghosh was a even encouraged us to pursue arati, originally known as Arun gan on December 11 with the in er's versatility. Known more as a sports. He was an athlete, while vocalist, percussionist, Sangeetalaya, was established in imitable Ustad Zakir Hussain's sitar and tabla exponent, Nayan my uncle (Pannalal Ghosh) was a educator, author and 1956. Twelve years later, it moved Taalanjali at the Nehru Centre in Ghosh is an equally skilled vocal researcher. The maestro's to the present premises. Mumbai, followed by Kathak ace ist, who also plays the surbahar Last week (January 17 to 20), Pt. Birju Maharaj's performance. and pakhawaj. Nayan's son Ish- musician-son Nayan Ghosh Sangeet Mahabharati bustled Born in Barisal in East Bengal aan is also a tabla artiste.
Booklet (Adobe Acrobat Format)

N G L A A C M : M G RAGA RECORDS Nayan Ghosh on Shree Rag Ira Landgarten: People sometimes have different descriptions or interpretations of a rag — it’s implications, it’s mood, the way it’s performed — that’s why we’d like to hear specifically about Shree rag directly from you. Nayan Ghosh: Shree rag is definitely one of the most revered among ragas. It has a gravity, an intensity that is really difficult to match. The rag itself has a very strong inherent strength. It is a dusk-time rag. My uncle (Pannalal Ghosh) was one of the two or three artists who were almost synonymous with Shree Rag; the others being Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and D.V. Paluskar. My father used to mention about his meetings with Mamman Khan, the uncle of the Sarangi legend Bundu Khan. Mamman Khan always brought in references of Shree Rag to whatever he spoke about. That was everything for him. The Shree Rag as my father taught me — he used to teach me more the alaps and the actual rag, and the first time I received my training in Shree Rag was very interesting. It was at a hill station near Bombay; no cars go up it, you have to walk all over the hill station. There are ponies and hand-pulled rickshaws and all that. It’s a beautiful hill station and one evening he took us to an edge of that hill station, on the cliff, and we were facing the west side and in front of us between our mountain and the opposite one was a deep valley down.
Dual Edition

YEARS # 1 Indian American Weekly : Since 2006 VOL 15 ISSUE 13 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● MAR 26 - MAR 25 - APR 01, 2021 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 ● [email protected] www.theindianpanorama.news THE INDIAN PANORAMA ADVT. FRIDAY MARCH 26, 2021 YEARS 02 We Wish Readers a Happy Holi YEARS # 1 Indian American Weekly : Since 2006 VOL 15 ISSUE 13 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● MAR 26 - MAR 25 - APR 01, 2021 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 ● [email protected] www.theindianpanorama.news VAISAKHI SPECIAL EDITIONS Will Organize Summit of will bring out a special edition tomarkVAISAKHIon April 9. Democracies, says Biden Advertisementsmay please be booked by April 2, andarticles for publication may please besubmitted by March 30 to [email protected] "We've got to prove democracy works," he said. I.S. SALUJA First historic Mars WASHINGTON (TIP): President Joe Biden shared with media persons his helicopter flight on April 8: thoughts on a wide range of issues, and NASA also candidly answered their questions, March 25, at his first press conference The flight since assuming office on January model of NASA's 20.2021. Ingenuity During the press conference, Mr. Mars Biden remarked on and responded to Helicopter - questions regarding migrants at the Image: NASA / JPL U.S.-Mexico border, the COVID-19 contd on page 48 WASHINGTON (TIP): NASA will U.S. President Joe Biden holds his first formal attempt to fly Ingenuity mini << news conference as president in the East helicopter, currently attached to the Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., belly of Perseverance rover, on Mars March 25, 2021.
Ali Akbar Khan, Le Maître Du Sarod Indien

Cahiers d’ethnomusicologie Anciennement Cahiers de musiques traditionnelles 5 | 1992 Musiques rituelles Ali Akbar Khan, le maître du sarod Indien Huib Schippers Traducteur : Isabelle Schulte-Tenckhoff Édition électronique URL : http://journals.openedition.org/ethnomusicologie/2446 ISSN : 2235-7688 Éditeur ADEM - Ateliers d’ethnomusicologie Édition imprimée Date de publication : 1 janvier 1992 Pagination : 258-276 ISBN : 978-2-8257-0456-1 ISSN : 1662-372X Référence électronique Huib Schippers, « Ali Akbar Khan, le maître du sarod Indien », Cahiers d’ethnomusicologie [En ligne], 5 | 1992, mis en ligne le 15 décembre 2011, consulté le 19 avril 2019. URL : http:// journals.openedition.org/ethnomusicologie/2446 Article L.111-1 du Code de la propriété intellectuelle. ENTRETIEN ALI AKBAR KHAN, LE MAÎTRE DU SAROD INDIEN* Huib Schippers En 1936, un jeune joueur de sarod fit ses débuts à la All India Music Conference de Allahabad. Ce premier concert en solo d'Ali Akbar Khan marqua le début d'une phase importante de l'histoire de la musique instrumentale indienne. Jusque là, aucun joueur de sarod n'avait su atteindre pareille maîtrise technique et artistique. Ce fut le début d'une carrière remarquable, couvrant maintenant plus de cinq décennies. Des milliers de concerts et d'émissions de radio, ainsi que de nom- breux enregistrements commerciaux ont affirmé la renommée du khansahib comme le digne dépositaire de la gharān ā de son père Baba Allauddin, et comme l'un des meilleurs musiciens du vingtième siècle. Mais l'importance d'Ali Akbar Khan va au delà de ses qualités artistiques. Sa vie reflète les changements sociaux et musicaux que l'Inde a connus tout au long de ce siècle : le déclin des cours royales, le rôle de la All India Radio comme nou- velle protectrice de la musique classique, l'avènement du concert de masse, le dé- veloppement de la musique enregistrée et la propagation de la musique indienne en Occident.