Ali Akbar Khan
Master sarod virtuoso who popularized Hindustani classical music in the West.
Chronology: 1922-04-14 – 2009-06-18
Origins & Early Life
Ali Akbar Khan (14 April 1922 – 18 June 2009) was an Indian Hindustani classical musician of the Maihar gharana, known for his virtuosity in playing the sarod. Trained as a classical musician and instrumentalist by his father, Allauddin Khan, he also composed numerous classical ragas and film scores. He established a music school in Calcutta in 1956, and the Ali Akbar College of Music in 1967, which moved with him to the United States and is now based in San Rafael, California, with a branch in Basel, Switzerland. Khan was instrumental in popularizing Indian classical music in the West, both as a performer and as a teacher.
Pivotal Works & Achievements
He first came to the United States in 1955 on the invitation of violinist Yehudi Menuhin. He later settled in California. He was an adjunct professor of music at the University of California, Santa Cruz.. On 18 April 1955 Khan recorded Music of India: Morning and Evening Ragas at a Museum of Modern Art guest house in New York, and performed at the museum the following day; the resulting Angel Records release is generally described as the first album of Indian classical music issued in the West. Menuhin described Khan as "an absolute genius, the greatest musician...
Enduring Legacy & Impact
The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.
Source: Wikipedia