The blend of east and west

Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, sons of the legendary Ustad Amjad Ali Khan teamed up with Violinist and former Metropolitan Opera concertmaster Elmira Darvarova for a concert titled ‘Soul Strings’ at Taj Krishna, Hyderabad. This collaboration was conceived to preserve the essence of both Indian and Western traditions while blending the sounds from both cultures.

The concert’s deeply moving, haunting music featured an initial ‘Bach’ composition being performed on the violin by Elmira Darvarova. The next piece was titled ‘By the moon’ in which Amaan Ali Khan played a brief ‘Alaap’ on the Sarod in Raga Bihag followed by a composition in a sixteen beat cycle. At times he was complimented with some musical notes by the violinist.

After this solo, Amaan Ali khan exited the stage and then came the younger brother Ayan Ali Khan who played a solo titled ‘Sacred Evening’ set in Raga Yaman. Both brothers then played a folk tune in Bhatiyali and later presented a Tagore song .Then came a composition in Raga Pilu set to a very touching rhythm. One could also hear a small Ragamala with different ragas being touched in small bits during this concert.

The last composition was titled ‘Temple of love’ in Raga Kirwani which started off with a beautiful ‘Alaap’ followed by a piece set to seven beat Rupak Taal followed by a fast paced composition in sixteen beat Teentaal.

Elmira Darvarova also made best efforts to match up to the Indian style of expanding the Raga with the Tabla accompaniment Satyajit Talwalkar, son and disciple of renowned Tabla Guru Suresh Talwalkar gave good support to the musicians other than the intermittent short crisp solo pieces that he played with ease.