Artist
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan
The Sarod Sovereign
About This Artist
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, the son and foremost disciple of the legendary Baba Allauddin Khan, is considered by many to be the greatest sarod player who ever lived. His music was distinguished by its profound emotional depth, adventurous exploration of rare and complex raags, and an alap style of unparalleled beauty. He and his brother-in-law Ravi Shankar together defined the sound of North Indian instrumental music for the 20th century. Their jugalbandi recordings are some of the most celebrated in all of Indian classical music. In 1956, Ali Akbar Khan founded the Ali Akbar College of Music in California — one of the first institutions to teach Indian classical music in the West — and spent much of his later career in the United States while continuing to perform and teach globally.
Notable Facts
- Son and principal disciple of the legendary Baba Allauddin Khan of Maihar
- Founded the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California (1967)
- His jugalbandi recordings with Ravi Shankar are considered all-time classics
- Known for performing rare and obscure raags with extraordinary depth
- Received the Padma Vibhushan and a MacArthur Fellowship