Sarod maestro Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan has described his new collaboration with Grammy-nominated vocalist Krishna Das and his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash as 'a humble offering towards peace, compassion and the oneness that connects us all.' The track, titled Om Mani Padme Hum, is part of the newly released album Chants for Unity, which blends sacred chants, shlokas, stotras and kirtan with the vocabulary of the Indian classical sarod.

A Meeting of Voice and Sarod

The collaboration pairs Krishna Das's devotional vocals with the contemplative sarod of Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan and the Bangash brothers, allowing the sacred Tibetan Buddhist chant to unfold with what the artists describe as 'remarkable simplicity.' The arrangement is designed to be at once emotive and deeply rooted in the Indian classical tradition, with music production and arrangement credited alongside the core performers.

Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan said, 'Music has always been a language beyond boundaries and Om Mani Padme Hum is a beautiful expression of that belief. It was a privilege to collaborate with Krishna Das, whose voice carries such sincerity, devotion and spiritual depth. I have always believed that when musicians come together with an open heart, music becomes much more than sound — it becomes prayer.'

What the Album Brings Together

Chants for Unity comprises 9 tracks in total and marks a personal milestone for the Bangash family: it features the vocal debut of Subhalakshmi Borooah Khan, who has sung five of the nine songs. Amaan and Ayaan noted that convincing their mother to record was itself a highlight of the project. Acclaimed bhajan singer Nina Rao lends her voice to the powerful Sankat Mochan Hanuman Chalisa, while Jai Uttal performs Lotus Feet. Pandit Vijaykumar and Pandit Narayanan, along with their ensemble, chant the contemplative Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.

Krishna Das on the Intent Behind the Chants

Krishna Das, whose devotional music has drawn millions of listeners worldwide, reflected on the album's purpose: 'Chants for Unity comes from a very simple place — the understanding that music and prayer can take us beyond all the things that seem to divide us. When we chant together, something deeper awakens, something that belongs to all of us. My hope is that these chants bring peace, love and connection into the hearts of those who listen. Ultimately, we are not separate. We are one.'

The Bangash Brothers on the Studio Experience

Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash described the recording session with striking reverence: 'When Krishna Das was recording Om Mani Padme Hum it felt as though the Bodhisattva of Compassion himself had descended at our studio.' The brothers added that the album will 'always be close to our hearts' both professionally and personally, given Subhalakshmi Borooah Khan's vocal debut on the project.

Why This Collaboration Stands Out

The meeting of a Hindustani classical icon like Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan with a Western kirtan artist such as Krishna Das is relatively rare, and reflects a broader global interest in cross-tradition sacred music. This comes amid growing appetite internationally for devotional collaborations that transcend religious and cultural borders. For Indian classical music, the album represents a bridge between the concert hall and the meditation space — an audience crossover that few other genres can claim.