Most people in the West who know what a sitar is probably think of Pandit Ravi Shankar as the master of the instrument. While Ravi Shankar was a great player (still alive but no longer playing as far as I know), in a very rhythmic and deliberate way, there are at least two others who I think are far better. I speak of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee and Ustad Vilayat Khan. Both played differently but the subtle magic of their styles are breathtaking. Please witness this short extract from Banerjee. It seems to float out from him;
Nikhil Banerjee-BBC performance
And then there is the intricate wonder of Vilayat Khan. I have several tapes of him and it is always uplifting in an otherworldly sense. It just takes you away.
Raag Darbari, Pandit Kishan Maharaj and Late Vilayat Khan
I saw Kishan Maharaj (the tabla player) play in Varanasi in 1996. A four hour performance that started at midnight at the main ghat. The Ganges flowed by as beetle nut sellers skipped along the rows and Pandit Maharaj showed us the business.
One more from Ustad Vilayat Khan just to take you that little bit higher.
Nikhil Banerjee-BBC performance
And then there is the intricate wonder of Vilayat Khan. I have several tapes of him and it is always uplifting in an otherworldly sense. It just takes you away.
Raag Darbari, Pandit Kishan Maharaj and Late Vilayat Khan
I saw Kishan Maharaj (the tabla player) play in Varanasi in 1996. A four hour performance that started at midnight at the main ghat. The Ganges flowed by as beetle nut sellers skipped along the rows and Pandit Maharaj showed us the business.
One more from Ustad Vilayat Khan just to take you that little bit higher.
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