Program: Vocal Recital by Apoorva Gokhale, accompanied Sudhir Nayak (Harmonium) and Swapnil Bhise (Tabla).
Born in the family of traditional legendary musicians, Apoorva Gokhale has carved a niche for herself as one of the sought after vocalists of the younger generation with a firm background of Gwalior Gharana. She has an impressive musical lineage and has proudly and responsibly inherited the musical qualities from her grandfather, the late Gayanacharya Pandit Gajananrao Joshi and her great- grandfather Pandit Antubua Joshi, an eminent court musician in the erstwhile state of Aundh, district Satara. Simultaneously Apoorva also received guidance from her father Shri Manohar Joshi, her aunt Dr. Sucheta Bidkar and renowned vocalist of the same tradition, Padmashri Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar. Apoorva is influenced by the best of traditional musicians, but her approach towards presentation is all her own and that makes her music unique. She brings to Khyal singing an expression which, both lyrical and evocative at the same time, maintains the seriousness of the form, unimpaired. Learn more: www.apoorvapallavi.com
Jafferkhani Samman and Recital: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan accompanied by Yogesh Samsi (Tabla) and Sridhar Parthasarathy (Mridangam).
was all of 6 years old when he gave his first recital of Sarod. It was the beginning of yet another glorious chapter in the history of Indian classical music. Taught by his father Haafiz Ali Khan, Amjad Ali Khan was born to the illustrious Bangash lineage rooted in the Senia Bangash School of music. Today he shoulders the sixth generation of inheritance in this legendary lineage.
Ustadji is a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, UNESCO Award, Unicef's National Ambassadorship, The Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum and Hon'ry Doctorates from the Universities of York in 1997, England, Delhi University in 1998, Rabindra Bharati University in 2007, Kolkata and the Vishva Bharti (Deshikottam) in Shantiniketan in 2001. He has represented India in the first World Arts Summit in Venice in 1991, received Hon'ry Citizenship to the States of Texas (1997), Massachusetts (1984), Tennessee (1997), the city of Atlanta, Georgia (2002), Albuquerque, NM (2007) and the Key of the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Fort Lauderdale, Miami. April 20th, 1984 was declared as Amjad Ali Khan Day in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1995, Ustadji was awarded the Gandhi UNESCO Medal in Paris for his composition Bapukauns. In 2003, the maestro received “Commander of the Order of Arts and letters” by the French Government and the Fukuoka Cultural grand prize in Japan in 2004.
His collaborations include a piece composed for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Yoshikazu Fukumora titled Tribute to Hong Kong, duets with guitarist Charley Byrd, Violinist Igor Frolov, Suprano Glenda Simpson, Guitarist Alvaro Pierri, Guitarist Barry Mason, Cellist Claudio Bohorquez and UK based Cellist Matthew Barley. He has been a visiting professor at the Stanford University, Indiana University, York University, Washington University , Stony Brook, North Eastern and New Mexico University. BBC Magazine had voted one of his recent CDs titled ‘Bhairav’ among the best 50 classical albums of the world for the year 1995. In 1994, his name was included biographically in "International Directory of distinguished Leadership", 5th edition. In 1999, Ustadji inaugurated the World Festival of Sacred Music with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 1998, he composed the signature tune for the 48th International Film Festival.
Ustadji has been a regular performer at the Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Kennedy Center, Santury Hall (First Indian performer), House of Commons, Theater Dela ville, Musee Guimet, ESPLANADE in Singapore, Victoria Hall in Geneva, Chicago Symphony Center, Palais beaux-arts, Mozart Hall in Frankfurt, St. James Palace and the Opera House in Australia. Two books have been written on him, The World of Amjad Ali Khan by UBS Publishers in Abba-God’s Greatest Gift to Us by his sons, Amaan and Ayaan published by Roli Books-Lustre Publications. A documentary on Ustadji called Strings for Freedom won the Bengal Film Journalist Association Award and was also screened at the Ankara Film Festival in 1996. Learn more: www.sarod.com