Amjad Ali Khan’s album in a bid for Grammy

CHICAGO: Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s new album Moksha has been nominated for a Grammy in the ‘traditional world’ category. Moksha has eight pieces including solo pieces by Khan’s sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. The album was released in Europe in May and in the US in June by Real World Records.

Khan said Moksha had been specially packaged for the international market. “This is an attempt to expose the Western world to the magic of sarod,” he said. The eight pieces in the album are short, he added, making it easy listening for Western music lovers. The final winners are to be announced in February when the awards will be presented at a glittering function.

For Khan, who is on a tour of the US with his sons, it has been an eventful month. His concerts have been well received on this tour. The trio will perform here on October 16. The concert, according to its sponsor, Moti Agarwal, has already been sold out. Khan said: “We can innovate and create, but we have to be careful of the classical lineage.”

Khan said he did not agree with purists who were against experimentation. “They blindly follow conventions,” he said. “I innovate, but within the tradition of classical music. We cannot destroy the sanctity of the raga.” The maestro said he was very pleased with the success of his sons, who have followed in his footsteps. The brothers have brought out a highly successful album, Reincarnation. “It has already sold 700,000 copies in India,” said Khan.