Immigrant of the Day: Ali Akbar Khan

June 23, 2009

Ali Akbar Khan (1922–June 18, 2009) was an Hindustani classical musician of the Maihar gharana, known for his virtuosity in playing the sarod. Khan was instrumental in popularizing Indian classical music in the West, both as a performer (often in conjunction with sitar maestro — and brother-in-law —Ravi Shankar), and as a teacher. He established a music school in Calcutta in 1956, and the Ali Akbar College of Music in 1967, which is now located in San Rafael, California. Khan also composed several classical ragas and filmscores.

Trained as a musician and instrumentalist by his father, Khan first came to America in 1955 on the invitation of violinist Yehudi Menuhin and later settled in California.

Khan was nominated for five Grammy Awards and was accorded India’s second highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 1989. He also won the MacArthur Genius Grant and the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship.

Ali Akbar Khan was born in the village of Shibpur, Comilla, in present-day Bangladesh (then East Bengal). Soon after his birth, Khan’s family returned to Maihar (in present day Madhya Pradesh, India).

Khan died last week at the age of 87 in San Anselmo (Marin County), California. NPR had a great personal tribute, with music, this morning. For a N.Y. Times story, click here.

Hat tip to IntLawGrrl Diane Amann.