It’s Teacher’s Day today, and year after year, students wish their teachers, gurus and mentors with flowers and other wishes. To Ayaan Ali Bangash, Teacher’s Day has an extra special significance – it is his birthday and his father has been his teacher and he, in turn, has taught his sons.
It was just recently that brothers Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, along with their father and sarod guru Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performed at Malhar and the Sea, in Arossim. And here, in Goa, the family got to welcome Ayaan’s birthday week together with music that touched the soul.
Speaking to Gomantak Times Digital, the seventh generation of musical lineage, Ayaan spoke about celebrating his birthday and how on Teacher’s Day he feels blessed to be born in a family of great musicians.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS STARTED A WEEK AGO
Celebrating his birthday on September 5, Ayaan loves the fact that the birthday week kicked off in Goa. Ayaan was accompanied by his wife Neema Sharma and twin sons, Zohaan Ali Bangash and Abeer Ali Bangash at the concert. “We have been to Goa many times, but this time it is special, because my father is also performing and the whole family is together.”
GURU-SHISHYA TRADITION STILL HAS A DEEP MEANING IN INDIA
Being trained by their father Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, he says, “Teacher’s Day has a very strong and deep meaning in India, where the guru-shishya tradition plays a significant role. Though things are much more relaxed and not so rigid as it used to be before, seeking guidance and blessing always remains. I was very fortunate that my father has been my guru, my teacher and it’s a never-ending journey as a student.”
Teacher’s Day has a very strong and deep meaning in India, where the guru-shishya tradition plays a significant role. Though things are much more relaxed and not so rigid as it used to be before, seeking guidance and blessing always remains.Ayaan Ali Bangash, sarod player
PASSING ON THE LEGACY BATON
Ayaan has passed on the sarod legacy to his sons. And in 2023, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performed with his sons and grandsons – Abeer and Zohaan – in a quintet performance at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space in New York.
“I cannot ask for a greater blessing than having my dad as a teacher. We as kids always got to learn a lot from our father as we are a close-knit family. I have been passing on the knowledge I learnt from my father to my sons,” says Ayaan.
TALKING ABOUT GOA
“I’ve been to Goa many times and it's one of my dearest states in the world. There is something nice about the place, the vibe and the moment you land, you are transported to another world. I’ve come here with friends and mostly for concerts, but when I come on vacation – it’s all about just chilling,” says Amaan.
To which Ayaan adds, “We did a music video here called Pathway to the Unknown, which had an extensive shoot done, and in the bargain we got to explore many places in Goa. There are a lot of classical music concerts we came here for. Goa never disappoints,” says Ayaan, as the brothers got ready to explore a bit of Goa when they had the time.