Indian classical music has been occasionally performed at the BBC Proms since 1971, but it’s usually been at late evening (or all night) concerts. Yesterday it was in the morning, so a rare chance to hear morning ragas performed at the apposite time of day. It marked the 75th anniversary of independence (August 15) and the players dedicated it to Mahatma Ghandi’s “message of peace and non violence”, presumably referring to Ukraine.
Amjad Ali Khan is India’s foremost sarod player and he was joined by his two sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash. The sarod is a plucked stringed instrument, less jangly than the sitar with a clear, lyrical and muscular tone. The concert began with Amaan and Ayaan playing an introductory raga with percussionists Sanju Sahai (on tabla) and Pirashanna Thevarajah (on double-headed mridangam drum).
