United Nations: The audiences were in for a treat as sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan enthralled them with tunes like 'Vaishnava Jana to' and 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram', some of Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymns, at a special performance at the UN to mark his 144th birth anniversary. The sarod maestro mesmerised a packed hall with an audience comprising President of the 68th UN General Assembly Ambassador John Ashe, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Asoke Mukerji and several UN ambassadors with his rendition of some of Gandhi's favourite compositions.
The 67-year-old legendary artist performed at the UN yesterday to commemorate the 'International Day of Non Violence' on the occasion of Gandhi's birth anniversary. Accompanied by his sons Amaan and Ayaan, Khan performed songs including 'Ekla Chalo Re', 'Vaishnava Jana to', 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram', 'We shall overcome' and 'Hum Honge Kamyaab' on the sarod. The trio received a standing ovation from the audience at the end of its nearly half-hour-long performance. Addressing his audience before the concert, Khan said he is honoured and privileged to perform at the UN and "remember all the great people who gave their lives for the message of non-violence".
"To all the people who sacrificed their life for the freedom of India and for the cause of non-violence, including Rabindranath Tagore and Martin Luther King, this is my tribute to them". Khan's sons Amaan and Ayan said they were honoured to be able to pay homage to Gandhi from the United Nations. After his performance, Khan voiced his concern over the increasing violence and hatred across the world and said children should be taught at a very young age to be compassionate and kind. He also expressed sadness over the lack of respect for women in today's society, saying despite widespread education there is still not enough compassion and kindness in human beings.
"I feel very sad that inspite of so much education in the world, why education could not create compassion and kindness in human beings. Even today the woman has not received the right kind of respect in this world," Khan said. Before arriving at the UN, the Khans had performed at the San Francisco Jazz festival and the Lotus festival in Indiana and would be back in the US next year.
