Centennial Tribute to Ali Akbar Khansahib: Khan's legacy lives on through his progeny | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
June 14, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2025
Centennial Tribute to Ali Akbar Khansahib: Khan's legacy lives on through his progeny

Splash

Aziz Hakim
23 January, 2023, 11:30 am
Last modified: 23 January, 2023, 11:51 am

Related News

  • Home adviser, IGP, and DMP commissioner pay tribute at Rajarbagh Police Memorial
  • Mashrafe’s poetic tribute to Mushfiq after ODI retirement
  • Tamim Iqbal honoured by BCB after winning BPL title  
  • CA Yunus pays tribute to late US president Jimmy Carter
  • President pays tribute to Liberation War heroes on Victory Day

Centennial Tribute to Ali Akbar Khansahib: Khan's legacy lives on through his progeny

‘Centennial Tribute to Maestro Ali Akbar Khansahib’ featured classical music by Shiraz Ali Khan, Pandit Arup Chattopadhyay, Nishaant Singh and Mainak Biswas. The show was held on Saturday, 21 January, at Satori Meditations in Banani

Aziz Hakim
23 January, 2023, 11:30 am
Last modified: 23 January, 2023, 11:51 am
Centennial Tribute to Ali Akbar Khansahib: Khan's legacy lives on through his progeny

Nishaant Singh went up on stage at 7:15 PM. He first introduced his instrument, Pakhawaj, before he began his recital. "The Pakhawaj is an ancient instrument and a precursor to the Tabla. It was made to mimic the sound of rain and thunder," he said before performing Taal Chautaal.

He began with the deeper notes that brought about a sombre fervour to the evening. Many among the audience were listening intently, some with eyes shut. Sharper notes followed. "Listen to the sound of Pakhawaj and imagine rain and thunder in the distance," he said as he played.

Nishaant picked up the beat, the more frequent deeper notes echoed through the hall that, in a way, really felt like it would start pouring any moment now.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The Centennial Tribute to Ali Akbar Khansahib was an homage to the virtuoso centurion. Ustaad Ali Akbar Khan was an Indian Hindustani classical Sarod artist of the Maihar gharana. He trained under the guidance of his father, Allauddin Khan, and went on to compose numerous classical ragas and film scores. He passed away in 2009.

However, his legacy lives on through his protégé and progeny (grandson) Shiraz Ali Khan, another Sarod artist. Shiraz was on the Sarod that evening, accompanied by Pandit Arup Chattopadhyay on the Tabla and Nishaant Singh on the Pakhawaj. 

Khan turned centurion in 2022. The tribute was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As Nishaant stepped down, only to join again later, Moinak Biswas took the stage. Moinak is an 18 year old Tabla artist and was the youngest person in the room. But age had no say on how Moinak swept away the audience with his extremely mature music. 

"Moinak just turned 18. It's his third trip to Bangladesh and he already has a fanbase here. He is a disciple of the Farrukhabad Gharana," said an organiser introducing Moinak. 
The Farrukhabad Gharna is one of six prominent gharanas in Hindustani classical music, deriving its name from Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Moinak's focus was commendable. At every strike on the Bāyā [brass tabla for bass notes], his head swayed to the rhythm of the beats. He was one with his music. Sweat poured down from his face. But he wiped it with one hand and continued playing with the other. 

Shiraz, Arup Chattopadhyay and Nishaant took to the stage next. It was their first time playing together as a trio, but their chemistry and harmony felt seamless. 

"My grandfather (Ali Akbar Khan) was born on 14th April 1922. We're celebrating his centennial anniversary all over the world. Whatever we have learnt, we must pass it on. My Gurus – my father, uncle and aunt – shared whatever they learned with me, that's why I'm able to sit in front of you and perform. I would like to pass on the knowledge to my students and my son," said Shiraz.

The trio began their performance with the Hemant Raga, a raga devoted to peace and Joy. 

For 25 minutes straight Shiraz played without the accompaniment of the Tabla or Pakhawaj. Nishaant began from the second phase and the two went on for another 20 minutes. That was the cue for Pandit Arup to join. 

An hour passed unnoticed as the trio kept the audience spellbound. 

The musicians spoke to each other through their instruments. Shiraz played some notes, Arup mimicked them on the Tabla, followed by Nishant on the Pakhawaj. This went on until all three synced up in perfect harmony, ending the performance on a happy note.

Top News

Tribute / Classical music

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infographic: TBS
    Govt plans incentives for Bangladeshis bringing in foreign investment
  • Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted as seen from Tel Aviv. REUTERS/Jamal Awad
    Iran launches waves of missiles at Israel in response to airstrikes
  • The bus responsible for the accident that left 5 dead and 15 injured in Dinajpur on 14 June 2025. Photo: UNB
    5 dead, 15 injured in Dinajpur road crash

MOST VIEWED

  • Energy adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan with other government officials during a visit to Sylhet gas field on 13 June 2025. Photo: TBS
    I would disconnect gas supply to every home in Dhaka if I could: Energy adviser
  • BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman and Chief Adviser  Muhammad Yunus meet at Dorchester Hotel in London, UK on 13 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    National polls possible in 2nd week of February, agree Yunus, Tarique in 'historic' London meeting
  • Rescuers work at the scene of a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
    Tehran retaliates with 100 drones after Israel strikes Iran's nuclear facilities, kills military leaders
  • From fact-checker to fact-checked: CA Press Wing’s turn in the hot seat
    From fact-checker to fact-checked: CA Press Wing’s turn in the hot seat
  • UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus
    Disclosure of unconfirmed Yunus-Starmer meeting shows ‘diplomatic imprudence’: Analysts
  • Flight AI 379 had landed. File Photo: Hindustan Times
    Day after Ahmedabad crash, Air India flight makes emergency landing in Thailand after bomb threat

Related News

  • Home adviser, IGP, and DMP commissioner pay tribute at Rajarbagh Police Memorial
  • Mashrafe’s poetic tribute to Mushfiq after ODI retirement
  • Tamim Iqbal honoured by BCB after winning BPL title  
  • CA Yunus pays tribute to late US president Jimmy Carter
  • President pays tribute to Liberation War heroes on Victory Day

Features

Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

20h | Mode
Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

2d | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

3d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

5d | Features

More Videos from TBS

Israeli warplanes shot down; pilot detained by Iran

Israeli warplanes shot down; pilot detained by Iran

39m | TBS News Updates
Iran launches 100 missile attacks, US with Israeli support

Iran launches 100 missile attacks, US with Israeli support

1h | TBS World
No Cash in ATMs: System Glitch or Something Deeper?

No Cash in ATMs: System Glitch or Something Deeper?

14h | TBS Today
Iran-Israel military power; who is ahead?

Iran-Israel military power; who is ahead?

16h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net