Amjad Ali to start music school in Thiruvanthpuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sarod maestro UstadAmjad Ali Khan will set up a music school and student hostel in Thiruvananthapuram.
Chief minister Oommen Chandy announced Khan's decision while presenting 'Swati Puraskar' to Carnatic musician and composer V Dakshinamurthy at Durbar hall on Friday. Khan was the chief guest at the function.
"The state government is happy to extend full support to Khan's initiative," Chandy said.
Khan said he was hopeful that the country would soon get a sarod player from Kerala.
Along with the 'Swati Puraskar', the chief minister also presented a citation to Dakshinamoorthy.
"It is God's will. One also needs to have the blessing of the people around you to get such a prestigious award," Daskhinamoorthy said in his short speech after receiving the award. The 94-year-old musician thanked the entire universe and its creator for his achievements.
"By honouring personalities like Dakshinamoorthy swami, we are also honouring ourselves," Chandy said.
The four-day Swati Nritha Sangeetosavam began on Friday with a sarod performance by Khan and his sons Amaan and Ayaan.
Other programmes include a dance performance by Lakshmi Gopalaswami on Saturday, music concert of Krishankumar and Binny Krishnakumar on Sunday, etc. The programme will conclude on Monday with 200 singers performing the Swati music choir on the eastern side of Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple.