Legendary sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan has offered a rare glimpse into Sarod Ghar, the museum established inside his ancestral home in Gwalior, which preserves instruments belonging to his forefathers and several towering figures of Indian classical music. Speaking on the sidelines of a recent event, the maestro also reflected on his singular musical philosophy — one that blurs the line between instrument and voice.

Sarod Ghar: A Living Archive of Classical Heritage

Amjad Ali Khan described the museum in deeply personal terms. 'I have my younger days sarod in my museum in Gwalior where I was born. Our ancestral home has been converted into a museum, it's called Sarod Ghar. All the instruments of my forefathers and other great masters of India, it's all there,' he said.

The collection, he noted, has grown through the generosity of fellow musicians. 'A lot of great musicians have donated their instruments. Every sarod player, they gave their best,' he added. Sarod Ghar now stands as one of the few dedicated museums in India preserving the material history of a single classical instrument and its lineage.

The Philosophy: Singing Through the Sarod

Khan spoke at length about what sets each sarod player apart — a uniqueness he traces to sound, intent, and inner calling. 'Every sarod player has a different desire, different kind of sound. My father's sarod was different sound. And Amaan sounds different, Ayan sounds different,' he said, referring to his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayan Ali Bangash.

For himself, the distinction is categorical. 'My sound, finally, by the grace of God — I don't play sarod. I sing through my instrument,' he said. This notion of 'singing' through a stringed instrument reflects a gharana tradition that places melodic expressiveness above technical display — a value the Khan family has championed across generations.

The Future of Sarod: 500 Players Worldwide

Despite concerns about the declining reach of classical forms, Amjad Ali Khan expressed confidence in the instrument's global future. 'Today there are about 500 sarod players all over the world. So the future of sarod is very bright in every field, whether sitar, tabla, gana, dance. There are amazing youngsters,' he said.

The maestro's optimism comes at a time when Indian classical music is experiencing renewed interest internationally, partly driven by streaming platforms and collaborative world-music projects.

Family Album: Subhalakshmi Borooah Khan's Vocal Debut

Adding to the family's musical legacy, Amjad Ali Khan's wife Subhalakshmi Borooah Khan has made her vocal debut with the album Chants for Unity. The release features nine tracks, with her vocals anchoring five sacred compositions — Navagraha Shlokam, Krishna Stuti, Shantakaram, Ya Devi Sarvabhooteshu, and Lakshmi Stuti.

The album is a full family endeavour: the Bangash brothers — Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayan Ali Bangash — along with their father Amjad Ali Khan have conceived and composed the project, positioning it as a generational statement of devotional music. The effort signals that the Bangash family's creative output extends well beyond the sarod into India's broader spiritual and classical vocal tradition.