The East-meets-West Music Project

In January 2017, DHF put on a pioneering 'East-meets-West' international musical programme at the vibrant cultural hub of the Kala Academy in Goa, and the newly restored Royal Opera House in Mumbai to great critical acclaim.

DHF has a particular interest in education and music as the vehicles for keeping monuments and heritage alive. To this end the East-meets-West Music Project sought to inspire and celebrate the musical dialogue that has existed between the East and the West over centuries with young, inspiring instrumentalists.

The project was the brainchild of internationally-acclaimed conductor, David Murphy and was developed with his ensemble Sinfonia Verdi along with the legendary sarod virtuoso, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. David Murphy has been hailed as ‘one of the most exciting and original artists of his generation’. As both a conductor and a musical pioneer, he has garnered a reputation for his inventive musicianship.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has won numerous awards over the years for his musical contributions as both performer and composer, none more prestigious than the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India. His sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash are also now recognized on the global stage as leading musicians in their own right. The Khan family has a history in ‘East-meets-West’ collaborations most recently releasing the album Soul Strings with American classical violinist Elmira Darvarova in 2015, and the follow up album Amalgam released in 2016.

All partners had had long experience of musical projects encompassing trans-cultural collaboration that proved invaluable, informative and, above all, inspirational for the East-meets-West Music Project and all involved. The project both raised the awareness of, and inspired local Goan children to take pride in their Indo-European cultural heritage. Through master classes led by the professional musicians, children were able to witness, learn from and play a part in musical collaboration through the fusion of Eastern and Western traditions.

The culmination of the project were public performances, where the children were provided with the platform to express what they had learnt from their masterclasses by playing alongside David Murphy, the Sinfonia Verdi, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Ayaan and Amaan Ali Bangash. Furthermore there were performances by the professional musicians of classical Western and Eastern music as well as compositions by David Murphy and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

We are immensely grateful to the Bagri Foundation for their generous support, Showhouse Events who have provided financial and in-kind support for the project as well as Thomas Cook Airlines for their support with international travel.

Press Coverage:

Times of India: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to perform in Goa

News Experts: Goa on a Musical Journey where East meets West

Goa Newswire: Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan along with David Murphy and the Sinfonia Verdi to take Goa on Musical Journey

The Navhind Times: When East Meets West

Herald: Enchanting Audiences with the Sounds of the Sarod

WebIndia123: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan takes audiences on Magical Journey with his performances

Times of India: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan enthralls audience in Goa

The Navhind Times: At the 'Root' of the cause

United News of India: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan takes audiences on magical journey through his performance

Herald: Finding One's Fiery Roots