Brothers tug at Mumbai crowd’s heartstrings

The audience at Mumbai’s Horniman Circle gardens was still and silent as the maestros performed

An audience looking forward to a sarod recital by the brothers Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash got an unexpected treat when their father, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, took the stage too.

Amaan (left) and Ayaan Ali perform at Horniman Circle. (Pratik Chorge/HT)

With every pluck of the strings, it was as if the traffic and crowds faded away.

The audience at the Horniman Circle gardens was still and silent as the three maestros performed on Monday evening, as part of the Hindustan Times Kala Ghoda Arts Festival.

The cheers and standing ovation that followed the brothers’ performance intensified as the Ustad took the stage. “Music connects the world and is part of our lives,” said the legend, who ended his performance with a rendition of Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Ekla chalo re’.

“It’s one thing to be a good musician and completely another thing to be a beloved musician; here in Mumbai we have always been welcomed with open arms and we can’t thank the people enough,” added Amaan.

The brothers, who have performed at the festival twice before, said they were happy to see a mixed audience of all age groups at the venue.

“A love for Indian classical music is in every Indian’s DNA and the fact that parents have taken the initiative to bring young children to a classical music performance is commendable,” said Ayaan.

Among those who had attended with their children was architect Raghuvir Achrekar and his wife Nalini, who attended with their 20-year-old daughter, Vaishnavi.

“I was expecting a brilliant performance from Ayaan and Amaan Ali Bangash, during which I could feel myself being transported to a parallel universe. The final touch by Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan sahab was the best part,” Raghuvir said.

Also present was Aarti Salunkhe, 21, a college student from Ghatkopar, who said she had been looking forward to watching the legendary musicians perform live for days. “It’s not often that you get this chance and I’m so glad to be here,” she added.