A touching commentary from Nayan Ghosh, a tabla and sitar master who lives outside Bombay:
A MIGHTY MOUNTAIN CRUMBLES DOWN - USTAD ALI AKBAR KHANSAHIB'S DEMISE
I can only say that a master of his caliber will not come in the next 500 years. He gave so much to Indian music, revolutionized instrumental music, gave a new sound, a new tone, a new touch, a new feel and the paved the way for generations to make a life and thought-process for themselves musically. The West and the East has saluted this great soul. Indeed his demise is like the Himalayas crumbling down. When he sat with the sarod he was music himself - music personified. His recordings will be the greatest treasure the entire music world will cherish.
He received several prestigious international awards, though most sadly he should have been one of the earliest recipients of the Bharat Ratna, but he was indeed far beyond issues like awards, gharana-rivalries and what not. He played a different music. It came directly from up there. Just his initial strumming of the sarod pierced one's soul, you agree or not. He was like a brother to my late father Padmabhushan Pandit Nikhil Ghosh, the tabla maestro and they performed together for decades. My late uncle the pioneer flautist Pannalal Ghosh was his older gurubhai. I personally feel extremely blessed to have received his affection on many occasions and to have known him so closely, and above all to be inspired with his great art.
He was God's special gift to mankind to spread love and peace through his divine music, leaving all of us today to meet his Creator. God bless his soul and may he rest in His laps in eternal peace .....
Tributes offered at his feet....NAYAN GHOSH.
A MIGHTY MOUNTAIN CRUMBLES DOWN - USTAD ALI AKBAR KHANSAHIB'S DEMISE
I can only say that a master of his caliber will not come in the next 500 years. He gave so much to Indian music, revolutionized instrumental music, gave a new sound, a new tone, a new touch, a new feel and the paved the way for generations to make a life and thought-process for themselves musically. The West and the East has saluted this great soul. Indeed his demise is like the Himalayas crumbling down. When he sat with the sarod he was music himself - music personified. His recordings will be the greatest treasure the entire music world will cherish.
He received several prestigious international awards, though most sadly he should have been one of the earliest recipients of the Bharat Ratna, but he was indeed far beyond issues like awards, gharana-rivalries and what not. He played a different music. It came directly from up there. Just his initial strumming of the sarod pierced one's soul, you agree or not. He was like a brother to my late father Padmabhushan Pandit Nikhil Ghosh, the tabla maestro and they performed together for decades. My late uncle the pioneer flautist Pannalal Ghosh was his older gurubhai. I personally feel extremely blessed to have received his affection on many occasions and to have known him so closely, and above all to be inspired with his great art.
He was God's special gift to mankind to spread love and peace through his divine music, leaving all of us today to meet his Creator. God bless his soul and may he rest in His laps in eternal peace .....
Tributes offered at his feet....NAYAN GHOSH.
