JOIN USAn evening of glitz and glamour, with traditional and serenading music and unheard tunes, were brought to the fore as Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and ‘Britten Sinfonia’ performed together at ITC Gardenia recently on the occasion of 75 years of Kirtilals.
The event started with a performance by ‘Britten Sinfonia’, which included western harmonies and symphonies by Mozart and other artistes. The programme progressed on to a brief recital by the legendary Khan family, with maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, performing Rabindranath Tagore’s Ekla Cholo Re and other musical pieces.
The performance moved on to the two groups synchronising to present some great music. “The standing ovation itself proved how powerful the music was and the impact it had,” said Prithvi Pani, a music connoisseur.
“I feel grateful for this opportunity as it was a one of the kind experience. If Amjad Ali Khan is the diamond in a jewellery collection, his two sons are the ruby and emerald and this beautiful representation could be seen in their performance. The performance took us to a different dimension and was music at its best,” he added.
The event also had an exhibition that showcased an array of jewellery of the past 70 years, which left the audience impressed.
Another audience member, Usha Thimmiah, said that the collection synchronised with the music. “The creations exhibited were exquisite and fabulous. We were fascinated by the whole experience. Indian music with a Western flavour made a great impact on the audience’s senses.” She added that each youngster should be exposed to such an evening so as to know the legacy of our country in respect to all fields.
Explaining about the concept of mixing jewellery with music, Arun Kumar, head of marketing of Kirtilals, said, “We brought Amjad Ali Khan and his sons to the City, as they understand the importance of legacy.” He pointed out that in order to add something unique to the performance, they also brought the ‘Britten Sinfonia’ group along with the Khans.