Ustad Amjad Ali teams up with UK orchestra for Bapu tribute

Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is collaborating with UK's Britten Sinforia orchestra, which is on its debut India tour, with the highlight being a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Khan, who gave an acclaimed performance at the Wigmore Hall in London in 2012 with the celebrated UK orchestra, has lined up three pieces for the concert titled 'Soul Strings' scheduled here tomorrow on the Independence Day eve at the Taj Mahal hotel.
The maestro is set to be accompanied by both his sons Amaan and Ayaan.
"The song 'Vaishnava Jana To' and 'Ram Dhun' are both great favourites of Mahatma Gandhi. They have now become internationally famous and they are almost like our national songs. We will be playing it for the first time with Britten Sinfonia and we have never done this before with the orchestra," Khan said.

The sarod maestro said three pieces would be presented at the concert, which would begin with one titled 'Machair to Myrhh' presented by Britten Sinforia followed by a tribute to the Mahatma and conclude with 'Samaagam' a concerto for Sarod by Amjad Ali Khan.
"The music is a collaboration of East meeting West, it will convey a message of oneness and unity," Khan said.

Ayaan said, "It would be great honour for me presenting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of Independence day. I hope its a very long association."
David Butcher, CEO of Britten Sinfonia, said they would be perfoming a "rich variety of music" from the 18th century and playing in India is a "big moment" for them.

A celebrated orchestra, the Britten Sinforia is an Associate ensemble at Barbican in London.
Jacqueline, the lead singer of the UK orchestra, said, "It is a bridge between two traditions and we are excited about doing something together".