Repartee, mirth and memories mark Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's book release

"Your man can be the biggest musician and take the stage by storm wherever he goes but at home never let him forget who is boss. You should be like the tanpura player in the background who holds it all together but can also with only a slight sleight of hand ruin a whole performance," said Bharatanatyam exponent and wife of sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Subhalakshmi Barooah on the ocassion of the the release of her husband's book tribute to the multiple music legends he has worked with down the years-Master on Masters. 

With wife, Subhalakshmi Khan, and Pandit Ravi Shankar in Rabindra Sadan, Calcutta. ( Courtesy: Master on Masters)

Reacting to a question from a young lady in audience who asked the sarod maestro about his wife's contribution to his career, she literally had the last word, leading to much applause not only from the audience but also the dignitaries on stage. 
Joining the maestro on stage were social commentator Suhel Seth and filmmaker Karan Johar whose repartee added a lot of laughter to the evening. 

Backstage with Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Alla Rakha after my performance in Calcutta in the mid-1960s. (Courtesy: Master on Masters)
Soon after reading an excerpt from the book on the late vocalist Begum Akhtar, Karan admitted he has become more open to taking risks over the last decade. "I've stopped thinking of what people will say.  Kuchch toh log kahenge... People have a lot of time to dispense opinions. At 44 I don't  care," he said when Seth interjected, "Oh you're 44."

KJo replied: " I thought you'll be polite and say you don't look 44?

Suhel: I don't indulge in such politeness

KJo: Hmm... I just wonder why? Who are you?

Suhel: Kangana

At this point Seth who was emceeing veered the subject to a more serious note wondering why there was no serious research into India's rich cultural heritage.

Khansaab sadly wondered the point of high education or research if it didn't take one away from bigotry and hate. "I have met so many people pursuing higher degrees like PhDs and found them so steeped in exclusionary hate," he remarked and added: "But we are living in strange times when hate is growing not only here but across the world."

Without elaborating he questioned the need for more temples or mosques to be built. "If they are going to lead to more hate why do we need them?"
When he spoke of the great love and affection artistes receive outside the country, Seth couldn't help adding, "I think its a case of ghar ki murgi daal baraabar. With due apologies to the man who's taken charge in UP."

Suchitra Pillai, Subhalakshmi Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ayaan Ali Bangash, Milee Ashwarya, Karan Johar, Suhel Seth & Amaan Ali Bangash at Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's Master on Masters book release

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