- News
- entertainment
- hindi
- bollywood
- A part of me wants recognition
Trending
This story is from January 9, 2009
A part of me wants recognition
Alam Khan, the 26-year-old son of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, admits that though he enjoys life like any American of his age, his responsibilities towards his roots keep him grounded.
Do you try to be like your father, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan saab, or want to be different?
My mother says it���s the greatest gift if I can sound like Baba. If he stops playing, it���ll be huge loss since the world will need my father���s sound. Without blindly copying, I wish to understand why and how Baba plays in a certain way.
My playing style is influenced by Baba���s playing from all stages.
During his 20s, Baba was the first to sound like that. To me, he is the real sound of sarod.
Is it more daunting to play in front of your father at home or an unknown audience?
Despite playing so well, why haven���t you courted the media?
My father would rather have me concentrate on my music than have me involved in media-attention grabbing assignments. Besides, I am yet to get a solo recording. A part of me wants the recognition. While others might have adopted another approach to be in the limelight, I want to be in the news only for my recitals.
Do you get to enjoy the life of a 26-year-old American?
I���ve never not enjoyed myself for being my father���s son. Most of my friends are non-Indian. Yet they know the importance of our music. I���ve always discussed my relationships with Baba too. I���m single now but am not opposed to being in a relationship with someone who understands me, my responsibilities and my lifestyle. My background has kept me grounded. Musically apart, I���m connected with Indian culture. Back home, I cook fish and lamb curry too! I���m very connected to my family. Baba���s health is so fragile that we had to cancel his ticket to Kolkata this winter. His health has been affected for not being able to play the sarod now. These days he sings and plays the harmonium.
With your Khan surname, is travelling in the US difficult now?
It used to be a lot more difficult earlier. I���m told that there is a terrorist by the name of Alam Khan. Hence, security checks are tedious for me.
My mother says it���s the greatest gift if I can sound like Baba. If he stops playing, it���ll be huge loss since the world will need my father���s sound. Without blindly copying, I wish to understand why and how Baba plays in a certain way.
My playing style is influenced by Baba���s playing from all stages.
Is it more daunting to play in front of your father at home or an unknown audience?
I���m more comfortable playing in front of Baba. If I���m not playing the way I usually do, I can stop midway and Baba will still understand. I never map out my recitals in advance. Expectations are high and I���m tense before tonight���s concert in Kolkata.
Despite playing so well, why haven���t you courted the media?
My father would rather have me concentrate on my music than have me involved in media-attention grabbing assignments. Besides, I am yet to get a solo recording. A part of me wants the recognition. While others might have adopted another approach to be in the limelight, I want to be in the news only for my recitals.
Do you get to enjoy the life of a 26-year-old American?
I���ve never not enjoyed myself for being my father���s son. Most of my friends are non-Indian. Yet they know the importance of our music. I���ve always discussed my relationships with Baba too. I���m single now but am not opposed to being in a relationship with someone who understands me, my responsibilities and my lifestyle. My background has kept me grounded. Musically apart, I���m connected with Indian culture. Back home, I cook fish and lamb curry too! I���m very connected to my family. Baba���s health is so fragile that we had to cancel his ticket to Kolkata this winter. His health has been affected for not being able to play the sarod now. These days he sings and plays the harmonium.
With your Khan surname, is travelling in the US difficult now?
It used to be a lot more difficult earlier. I���m told that there is a terrorist by the name of Alam Khan. Hence, security checks are tedious for me.
About the Author
Priyanka DasguptaEnd of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
entertainment videos
Featured In Movies
Popular Categories
Entertainment NewsBollywood NewsTollywood NewsKollywood NewsMollywood NewsMovie ReviewsLatest Hindi MoviesLatest Tamil MoviesMX PlayerParenting TipsHome RemediesWeight LossBeauty TipsParenting TipsHindi VideosHindi Video SongsBhojpuri Music VideosLatest Telugu MoviesBhojpuri Music VideoHindi TV News
Trending in Entertainment
Latest MoviesBollywood MoviesHollywood MoviesTamil Movies 2024Telugu Movies 2024Malayalam Movies 2024Kannada Movies 2024Marathi Movies 2024Bengali Movies 2024Top Rated Movies 2024Best Hindi MoviesBest English MoviesBest Telugu MoviesBest Tamil MoviesBest Malayalam MoviesBest Kannada MoviesBest Bengali MoviesUpcoming Hindi MoviesBest Movies Of All TimeBest Hindi Movies of All Time
Trending in Etimes
Horoscope TodayNumerology Predictions TodayKamala HarrisRobert F Kennedy JrBarron TrumpElon MuskAnna Paulina LunaJustin TrudeauTrump Town Hall Key TakeawaysInternational Day of PeaceDonald TrumpSNL 50 SeasonKamala HarrisSituationship TipsUsha UthupRelationship TipsSean Diddy CombsMiley CyrusJennifer Lopez
Trending in TV
Trending in Lifestyle
Trending in Regional
Movie Reviews
Yudhra ReviewJo Tera Hai Woh Mera Hai ReviewKahan Shuru Kahan Khatam ReviewHis Three Daughters ReviewNever Let Go ReviewDancing Village: The Curse Begins ReviewTransformers One ReviewFirst Love ReviewBerlin ReviewThe Buckingham Murders ReviewSpeak No Evil ReviewVisfot ReviewThalapathy Is The G.O.A.T ReviewRebel Ridge Review
Upcoming Hindi Movies
Upcoming Regional Movies
Latest News
Stuck in Lebanon for 23 years, Punjab man back homeBirthday throwback: When Kareena Kapoor Khan said it was rather ‘Alia Bhatt’s question’, when she was asked if Deepika Padukone is her competition!Roman Reigns Gives His Word to Back Cody Rhodes Against The BloodlineSupreme Court questions change in NEET-PG pattern, seeks response of NBE and CentreYudhra box office collection day 1: Siddhant Chaturvedi and Malvika Mohanan starrer opens with Rs 4.50 croreUP man kills newborn daughter in fit of rage over fourth girl cild, ArrestedSalesforce to expand its innovation hubs in Bengaluru, HyderabadThe truth about sugar substitutes: Safe alternative or hidden health risk?Not taking EY to court, says dead CA's fatherCheeky Rishabh Pant helps Bangladesh set field on Day 3 of Chennai Test - Watch1st Test: Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant fifties carry India to 205/3 at lunch on Day 3 against BangladeshKarnataka HC asks couple to seek spiritual guru's help to save marriageBombay HC strikes down Centre's fact check unitFire breaks out at furniture market in Central DelhiLibra, Daily Horoscope Today, September 21, 2024: Focus on a balanced diet and exercise to maintain well-beingExploring If Justin Herbert will play the Chargers vs Steelers game on Sunday amid ankle injuryMemeFi daily codes for 21 September 2024: Boost your earnings with daily codes and know how to maximizeBest i5 12th Generation Laptops: Best Picks For Performance & Value
Other Group Sites -
ETimes is an Entertainment, TV & Lifestyle industrys promotional website and carries advertorials and native advertising.