Legendary Sarod Maestro Aashish Khan Dies at 84 in US

New Delhi: Renowned sarod player and composer Aashish Khan has died at the age of 84 in Los Angeles. Khan was surrounded by his family, friends, and students as breathed his last. Notably, the Sarod Maestro, Khan was a key figure in popularising Indian classical music globally and collaborated with international musicians like George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Ringo Starr. His passing has been mourned by the music community, with Sangeet Natak Akademi expressing their condolences.

Khan was born in Madhya Pradesh 's Maihar district in 1939, in a musical family and was trained by his grandfather Ustad Allauddin Khan and father Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, who were also a noted Sarod player. Aashish Khan showcased exceptional talent from a young age and went on to become a leading figure in Indian classical music.

He made numerous contributions to the music, including his work as composer and conductor of All India Radio's Vadya Vrinda ensemble and his collaborations with Western artists. He also composed scores for films like "Gandhi" and "A Passage to India".

In the 1960s, Khan formed his own Indo-jazz band "Shanti" with Ustad Zakir Hussain and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006. He was felicitated with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2004.

He also established a school in Kolkata, the Aashish Khan School of World Music, and went on to train students at various universities in the US and Canada. 

Aashish Khan's legacy continued to inspire musicians and listeners across the world.