Ustad Amjad Ali Khan honoured with Saraswati Puraskar

"Music is my god", Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan said here after being honoured with the prestigious Saraswati Puraskar for his contribution to the world of art and music.

Instituted by the city-based Kailash Mutt Trust, the award was presented to the 64-year-old maestro by its chief Mahamandaleshwar Swami Sanvidanand Saraswati, at a function attended by a large gathering here last night.

"Music is my god... the path to reach him, and I am delighted to receive the Saraswati award," said Amjad Ali Khan, who has also been nominated for this year's Grammy award.

The award was presented to 14 veterans for their outstanding contribution to music and society, and carried a cash prize of Rs51,000 each, a citation and memento.

One of the foremost classical musicians, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan gave his first solo recital at the age of 12 in 1958, and developed a unique style of playing the sarod.

Khan is the recipient of many awards and honours, including the Padma Bhushan (1991), Sangeet Natak Academy Award and the Tansen Award (both 1989), Padama Shri (1975) and the International Music Forum Award, UNESCO in 1970.

Other recipients of the Saraswati Puraskar included mountaineer Swami Sunderanandji, Vaishno Devi Temple chief Amirchandji, Bhaskar group hairman Ramesh Agarwal, classical dancer Geeta Chandran, New Delhi-based entrepreneur Naresh Sabharwal, tabla player Pandit Suresh Talwalkar and historian
Babasaheb Purandare.