Ali Akbar Khan

Date of Birth: April 14, 1922

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: June 18, 2009

Biography

Ali Akbar Khan, born on April 14, 1922, in Shibpur, Comilla, in present-day Bangladesh, was a legendary Indian classical musician known for his mastery of the sarod. He was the son of the renowned musician and teacher Allauddin Khan. Ali Akbar Khan’s contributions to Indian classical music were immense, and he played a significant role in popularizing it in the West. He began his training at a very young age under his father’s strict tutelage, mastering not just the sarod but also vocal music and multiple other instruments. In 1955, he moved to the United States and founded the Ali Akbar College of Music in California in 1967. This institution became a pivotal center for the teaching and dissemination of Indian classical music worldwide. Khan’s performances were characterized by their technical brilliance, emotional depth, and spiritual intensity. He collaborated with numerous Western musicians, including violinist Yehudi Menuhin and jazz saxophonist John Handy, thereby creating a unique fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions. Throughout his life, Ali Akbar Khan received numerous awards and honors, including the Padma Vibhushan (1989)—India’s second-highest civilian award, and the MacArthur Fellowship (1991). He passed away on June 18, 2009, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire musicians and listeners around the globe.

5 Interesting Facts about Ali Akbar Khan

1. Ali Akbar Khan’s father, Allauddin Khan, was also the teacher of the renowned sitarist Ravi Shankar.

2. He was one of the first Indian musicians to perform in the United States, debuting at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1955.

3. Ali Akbar Khan composed music for several films, including Satyajit Ray’s “Devi” and Bernardo Bertolucci’s “Little Buddha.”

4. He was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship in 1997.

5. His sarod is made from a single piece of teak wood and has 25 strings.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ali Akbar Khan

1. “Music is like a river, it must flow, and its beauty lies in its ability to be ever-changing.”

2. “The purpose of music is to take the listener on a journey, to make them experience emotions they didn’t know existed.”

3. “Music is a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the soul.”

4. “To truly understand music, you must live it, breathe it, and let it become a part of you.”

5. “In every note, there is a story, a lifetime of learning and experience.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Ali Akbar Khan is estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Ali Akbar Khan had several children, including Aashish Khan, who is also a noted sarod player, and Alam Khan, who continues to perform and teach sarod. His other children include Dhyanesh Khan, Ameena Perrera, and Manik Khan, who have all contributed to the field of music in various capacities.