Asad Ali Khan - Famous Dhrupad Musician
Asad Ali Khan is an rudra veena player and performs in the Indian classical music
style dhrupad.
He is excelled in any instrument he plays, be it the sitar or the rudra veena, and
possesses the unusual quality to oscillate from a sweetness of tone to severe masculinity
in the playing.
Asad Ali's jod-alaaps are a delight to listen to. Their rhythmic quality, the excellent
altering of melodic and contemplative passages while playing jod, makes them amazing
experiences. His flawless sense of melody allowed him to bring in the soft shades
and delicate hues of shringar when rendering raagas like Shudh Sarang, Bihag or
Khammaj.
Asad Ali Khan Personal Profile
Khan was born 1937 in Alwar, Rajasthan in the seventh generation of rudra veena
players in his family. His ancestors were royal musicians in the courts of Rampur,
Uttar Pradesh, and Jaipur, Rajasthan in the 18th century.
Performed in Various Countries Across The World
He has performed in many countries, including Australia, the United States, Afghanistan,
and Italy and several other European countries, and conducted music courses in the
United States. Khan worked at All India Radio, taught the sitar in the Faculty of
Music and Fine Arts at the University of Delhi for 17 years, and continued to train
students privately after his retirement.
Awards and Recogination
Khan received several national awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
in 1977 and the civilian honor Padma Bhushan in 2008 which was awarded by Indian
President Pratibha Patil.
Catalog of Asad Ali Khan's Performance