Amjad Ali Khan has collaborated with UK’s Britten Sinforia orchestra to pay a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The musicians spoke to Karan Bhardwaj
There’s a lot of confusion, no fusion,” exclaimed Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, as he comfortably sat with us an hour before his rehearsals for his next show. This programme, which will unfurl tonight, is his “collaboration” with UK’s popular Britten Sinforia orchestra. The British group has come to India for the first time but has done shows with Khan in london a couple of years ago. “See, don’t call it a fusion. It’s cheap! This is a collaboration or crossover. RightIJ” he beamed humbly seeking acceptance of David Butcher, CEO of Britten Sinfonia, sitting next to him. “Each musician in most of the British orchestras are highly qualified. And learning from our past experience, we are proud to collaborate with the Khan and his sons, Aman and Ayaan,” Butcher said.
The concert Soul Strings is a multi-city tour beginning from Delhi’s Taj Mansingh Hotel, with the highlight being a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. “Songs like Vaishnava Jana To and Ram Dhun are both favourites of Mahatma Gandhi. They have now become internationally famous and they are almost like our national songs. We will be playing it for the first time with Britten Sinfonia,” Khan said. Three pieces would be presented at the concert, which would begin with one titled Machair to Myrhh presented by Britten Sinforia followed by a tribute to the Mahatma and conclude with Samaagam a concerto for Sarod by the maestro.
“The commitment of every musician in the orchestra is really inspiring. You see their interest and involvement in music. They can read and play music at the same time which is magical. I really admire them because we couldn’t produce any orchestra of repute in our country. Here, collective efforts are rare. Working under a conductor is tough here. In British, they have huge respect for the entourage. like if there are 150 musicians sitting on stage, they will all stand up in respect for the conductor. This kind of mutual respect and love for each other compel us to do this kind of collaboration,” Khan said.
But does India really need an orchestraIJ The musician says the popularity of indie music, bands as well as orchestra is growing. “Earlier, everyone in India wanted to be a soloist. Today, there are lots of musical bands. Now these young boys have become popular. Orchestras are becoming popular in Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai. It’s the demand of the world that we collectively create something to contribute to peace in India,” he said.