Wish to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Amaan Ali Bangash

Sarod player Amaan Ali Bangash says Bollywood is too commercial to find a room for Indian classical music. He also wishes to work with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

"Bollywood is very commercial to find a proper room for that (classical music). There were days when classical music used in films like 'Mugha-E-Aazam', because back then makers had the knowledge on such music. Moreover, it also depends on the story. Now we cannot do that, it is sad but true," Amaan told IANS.

Any Bollywood musician or filmmaker that he would like to collaborate with?

"I think Sanjay Leela Bhansali has a great sense of music that he promotes in his film. I loved his music that stands as a statement in all his films; so yes, given an opportunity, I would like to work with him," said Amaan.

Considering the fact that classical music faces a competition with other genres, especially Bollywood, according to Amaan, such thing is quite unfair.

"In India, all forms of music are compared with Bollywood, but why? Are we only known to the world for Bollywood? Yes, we are known for our cinema, but we also have our music, literature, fine arts etc," Amaan said.

"There is no point to compare a popular form with a traditional one. Such thing happened because they know nothing better, and that's why we should educate our young generation about our classical music," he added.

Keeping the same thought in mind, Amaan, along with his brother Ayaan in collaboration with their father, legendary sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and rabab player Daud Khan Sadozai made an album "Journey: Rabab to Sarod".

While Indian classical music is one of the platform where carry forwarding the music legacy and gharana of generation is widely practiced, nepotism also became a part of the game. Being a son and student of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, even Amaan could not avoid such situations as his performances were compared to his father.

Asked how he deals with that, Amaan said: "I knew it (comparison) will happen and you see they are comparing me with the best! If you are talking about nepotism, yes, it does exist. However, you can be successful only by the blessing of your parents and elders.

"As musician all you can do is hard work, success is a gift of God, it is not in our hand. I feel very happy when I see other musicians doing well; because I know how much hard work, practice it takes to reach there. Though I do not want to take name, people don't fear God and feel insecure, criticise others and spread negativity," he added.

--IANS

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