Haafiz Ali Khan Awards 2009

Day before yesterday I attended the Haafiz Ali Khan Awards 2009. Raju got the passes and I was under the impression that, it was an Indian Classical Music concert, until I reached the hall (Nehru Center, Mumbai).

The Haafiz Ali Khan Memorial Trust was formed after the death of Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan. Trust instituted the Haafiz Ali Khan yearly awards in 1985 to felicitate the musicians, who have become legendary figures in their lifetime. This year the awardee was John McLaughlin. An English jazz fusion guitarist and composer, also know as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin.

Harsh and I reached the Nehru Center, where the award ceremony was conducted, after a lot of hassles. At one point, I thought that, we were not going to make it. But fortunately we reached just in time for the John McLaughlin's felicitation.

We learnt about the Haafiz Ali Khan Memorial Trust and the Haafiz Ali Khan Awards. Also, later, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan talked about his father. It was very inspiring to hear about a legend from the other. Then comes the speech of John McLaughlin after his felicitation. He started very humbly by saying 'To be honoured by you in this way is something more than any musician could expect. I am speechless.' When one is standing too tall and says something like this, they are just reminding us that, to stand this tall you need to have your ground grip firm. You have to have the right attitude from the beginning. He talked about musical journey of his life. When he said at the age of eight, he started playing western classical, Raju turned to me and said 'Dude, I am quitting music' :-) . He then went on with his amazing experiences in life and how and why he came to India. About Mahavishnu Orchestra and how Shakti was formed. It was very inspiring to hear him speak.

Felicitation was followed by a performance  by Aman and Ayan, the son's of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. They performed two compositions. First up Raga Malkauns followed by Raga khamaj. It was quite an experience. Specially when these days I have started listening and reading about Indian Classical music. They performed  for an hour or so. Amazing thing about their performance was the coordination that they had. I was hearing them live for the first time and I was very amazed. After the performance John McLaughlin gave them accolades and praised their talent.

So much to hear that evening, music and experiencees of legends. I was really thrilled after the ceremony. While I was getting back home with Raju on his bike, throughout we were talking of the experience and did not realize when we reached home, and that we had traveled almost 25 km. :-)