Ali Akbar Khan, famed Indian musician, teacher, dies at 88

[Richard D]

Source: Mercury News

Ali Akbar Khan, one of the greatest North Indian classical musicians of all time, died Thursday night at the age of 88, according to sources close to the family.

Khan, a master of the sarod, a multi-stringed instrument, had been suffering from a chronic kidney ailment. He had been on dialysis and had been in declining health in recent months.

Called Khansahib by his followers, he founded the Ali Akbar College of Music in Fairfax in 1968, later moving to San Rafael. No one from the school was immediately available to comment on his death.

One of the first teachers of Indian classical music in the West, Mr. Khan taught thousands of musicians at his school in Marin over the past 40 years.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12648985

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RIP Khansahib

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Oh, man .......

I didn't realize he was that old.

He made some incredible music, and we listened to it all through school, especially at certain times. The perfect accompaniment to a time of joyous excess and relentless pursuit of pleasure.

Well done, sir........................

[psychopomp]

2. I played a tape of his music until it wore out

Strangely enough, even after taking an interest in his music I never learned that he lived just two hours north of me. His music helped me get through some rough spots in my life (usually when I was tripping my face off).

[earcandle]

3. Oh. I know Ali Akbar from a time when my boyfriend was in his band.

I took some vocal lessons in group with him leading us.  And I
also won his trust enough to 
be allowed to give him a massage back when I was a practicing
massage therapist.  My former
boyfriend graduated from the SF Conservatory learning western
classical and then went to 
Ali Akbar Khan to study Eastern Classical.  He will be really
sad when he hears this.  He
attended all of his concerts.  I attended two.  The music that
Ali Akbar Khan plays really
gets you in touch with the moment and how unbearable it can be
until you surrender.  My husband
can trance out pretty easy on it, whereas I am really moved.  

May you be in peace, dear kind soul, illuminated artist, deep
lover of life and sound. 

People lined up to kiss his feet.  

[closeupready]

4. No! I listen to his music every day, esp. Garden of Dreams.

This is sad, but he had a good, long, productive life. Thanks for the music, Mr. Khan!

[dreamnightwind]

5. So long and happy trails!

We live about an hour away from his school of music, and sometimes attend his concerts. I took my son there a couple of times for tabla instruction, but he was a little too young and it wasn't his thing.

He was apparently (no expert here, I mostly know San Francisco 60's-style rock music) an amazing musician and an equally amazing man.

May the four winds blow him safely home.

[dbt]

6. He LOOKS like he's playing Blues!

All great musicians' faces react to what they're playing, but you can really see it among the Blues players. That instrument might as well be Lucille!

Mr Khan is in The Zone in that picture and he is throwing down some licks! Note that in the middle of his complete abandonment to the notes, he is as alert as radar. I think he's looking at another musician--it could even be a cutting contest. Whatever it really is, the person behind him in that picture is sho nuff receiving the Message!

Anybody else see some Hendrix in that beautiful face? That "people lined up to kiss his feet" there can be no doubt.

Well done, Mr Khan. Please convey my respect to Mr Harrison. Who is probably looking to jam by now.

:loveya:

[BuddhaGirl]

7. wishing him the highest possible evolution

loved his music...I always wanted to learn the tabla...the college is about 10 min. north of me.

Safe journey, Khansabib!

[G_j]

8. he will be greatly missed!

:loveya: RIP

[RushIsRot]

9. I had Indian Grad Assistants when I worked at the university some

years ago. I expressed an interest in Indian music, especially ragas and talas. I was given a tape by Khan which I listened to until I wore it out. I just ordered a couple of CDs by him and look forward to re-acquainting myself with his artistry.

I am quite fond of sitar music.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

10. To paraphrase another

response;
this thread is useless without links to his music........... :(

like this :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNPRAgVxM9A