Ustad Imrat Khan-Legendary Maestro of Surbahar and Sitar

[daraghkinch]

This is poetry beyond words. In fact, before words. Music is less abstract than language, as it is not based on symbols that must be interpreted. An interplay of vibrations that is closer to what we ourselves are, than we; immersed in maya, can usually recognise.

[balachandra108]

The people that disliked this were probably in such a blissful state that they missed the like button.

[Kootenaymom]

who are these three people who can't appreciate one of the greatest instruments played by a master???

[quadroned]

wow.. I didn't know that sitar music could be that good, really nice to listen to

[panchamkauns]

Oh yes, brings back sweet memories of his Maestro's Choice CD with Yaman and Malhar, the first I had from him. This is superb!

[GMohyudin]

A masterpiece indeed. Ostad Amrat Khan is one the great artists that play Sitar. Some believe the raga he has played is a work of a great mystic Hazrat Amir Khusro. A poet and musician of serious merit.

[MyInnerEyeMike]

This is very interesting. I never heard anyone play the sitar in such low registers. This man really shows how diverse the sounds of a sitar can be.

[naturesmusic]

The instrument being played in this video is a bass instrument of India called Surbahar. Ustad Imrat Khan is the leading exponent of Surbahar. His son, Irshad Khan, is the next generation to continue the rare art form of playing Surbahar.

[MyInnerEyeMike]

Thank you for the correction, as well as the information. This is new to me, I appreciate the post.

[stormzsystem]

@MyInnerEyeMike Yup, because this is essentially a bass sitar

[RandomTask3000]

@MyInnerEyeMike Ravi Shankar uses a unique tuning which imitates the richness of the surbahar. Some recordings of his showcase this.

[louderthanlife2]

i wasn't sure before, but now i am definitely buying one of these, i play bass, and sitar, so this basically combines my two favorite instruments

[tripmonk0]

@louderthanlife2 Where do you live? Did you buy a surbahar yet?

Nick aka tripmonk0

[Bassist10288]

@louderthanlife2 i do those two too and it's like love at first ear isn't it

[vandacerulea]

Now that is what is called a really great Aalap - the meend (note bending) demonstrates what a truely masterful musician he is - a fine example of the "Gayaki" style of sitar/surbahar playing.

[Ackidott]

This guy gives me goose bumps! I play guitar and I know how hard it can be to master bending anything beyond normal bends up to 1 1/2 note and put vibrato ontop of it. But this guy goes beyond that by a whole dimension! And just caressing the edge of flawless. This way of playing must have inspired Jimi Hendrix when you see him doing wild melodic bends in some of his live performances. Just A W E S O M E!

[frobo49]

A friend of mine and I watched him live in St Louis, he is a jazz musician and he loved his spontaneity, skill and dedication to his music.

[theotherther1]

I'm American and we have a different tonal scale for most of our music. For this reason I'm just getting used to Indian stuff.

I like Bollywood songs because they're exciting and a bit westernized, but for some reason Imrat Khan's music touches me immediately. He's amazing.

[vikramkrishnan]

The music touches us because it is honest and sincere and is being produced by a person who has devoted his entire life to mastering the instrument. It is not some mass produced commercial crap. Honest music always sounds good be it Beethoven, Chopin, Ustad Imrat Khan or Muddy Waters. Honesty produces genuine emotion and gives music a new dimension

[LucifersArgument]

@vikramkrishnan Agree. It nourishes the soul.

[jemejeme]

love this,feel this,want more like thi, awesome...

[sitarkieran]

best of surbahar! kieran

[ssaaqii]

lajawaab

[saiph84]

the meend at 2:48 is breathtaking

[Noahshollow]

he likes a lot to bend his strings xD

oh my god

[triadof3]

I shook this mans hand and placed his to my head. Amazing perfomance! He lives and teaches in St. Louis Mo now!!

[Shrutiglawn]

I am learning yaman on sitar and it is nice to hear the alap on a surbahar. such a deep and wondrous tone, thanks for posting !

[TridentOfPoseidon]

soul touching and serene alap. The beauty of this gharana's music is that they pull such beautiful and complex meends not only on the kharaj string but also on the main and joda strings.

Very soul filling

[IMIRZA1066]

Talking To God...

[IMIRZA1066]

Talking to God...

[KDKAPOOR]

None of us have the right words to describe the magic which Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahin and his brother Ustad Imrat Khan sahib created with their playing an instrument. These were the real giants of Indian Classical music without the gimmicks and concern for name and fame.

[blackdemonllama]

Khan saheb is truly unequalled. Imdadkhani gharana are for sure the masters of the surbahar, no other gharana has ever brought such beauty from this instrument.

[DarknessHowls]

Beautiful

[northindianclassic]

incredible!!! this sound let my body trembling. amaizing!!! more please

[theotherther1]

Really good Indian music gives me the shakes just like you.

[Rheinhart1]

My God! May he live long! An unequaled master.Thank you so much for sharing this.

[Bopalji]

One has to kiss Khansahab`s hands.

Where to find him?? Where to find a Surbahar, to buy??

[saiph84]

breathtaking~

[seesam07]

Khan saab's fingers floats on Yaman and brings the essence just like cream out of milk... very delicious

[northindianclassic]

hey,#

thank's for sharing. misty kotai?

[agnividhyut]

The depth is mesmerizing! this is what surbahar ang is

[rider126126]

Stunning, moving, wonderbar! I only wish the videos were longer.

[jonnyboy108]

Khansahib is the best in the whole world. This video is jaw dropping!

[cpatton61]

Ustad ji, that was beautiful as always. You are an amazing musician and a dear friend. Thank you for sharing your performance. We miss you!

[jonnyboy108]

The best in the world without a doubt. Thank you for posting this !

[jcroy206]

What great sound Ustad-ji! You truly are the greatest musician alive!

[drabauer]

Wonderful performance! Thank you for sharing this with us. I miss you Imrat!

[drabauer]

I miss you Imrat! Thank you for this wonderful gift. I assume a DVD or CD may be forthcoming?

[nasik1937]

Wa Kya baat hai. Wish it was a longer one.

[subshrub]

Wonderful to see the Ustad Ji playing Surbahar, thank you!

[biswas01]

Kya baath hai Khansaheb! Wonderful videography and sound on the part of the concert producers, and beautiful playing as always on your part! Look forward to more posts of your performances! Khuda Hafiz.

[subshrub]

Thank you Ustad ji, how magnificent to see you playing Surbahar!

[Houz23]

Excellent and soulfoul performance ! Please post more ! Can you give us a way to find this concert DVD? Thanks a lot for sharing!