Bachchan releases book on Amjad Ali Khan's father

Mumbai: Amitabh Bachchan today lauded sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan's contribution to Indian classical music and professed an interest in learning the musical instrument.

"Many a time, I thought if learning the sarod. I have purchased the instrument," the Big B said and requested Amjad Ali Khan to teach him a tune or two.

He was speaking after releasing a book on Amjad Ali Khan's father Hafiz Ali Khan penned by the sarod maestro. The book "My Father, Our Fraternity: The Story of Hafiz Ali Khan And My World" has been published by Roli Books.

Bachchan lamented that the practice of documenting our ancestors' achievements is declining in India. This practice is necessary to ensure our future generations learn something, he said.

"Whatever a son does for his father is never enough," Bachchan said.

Amjad Ali Khan said he considers himself lucky to have had such a father who was kind and compassionate. He recalled accompanying his father to a function and meeting Rajendra Prasad and Pandit Nehru.

"Classical music is like the sun and all genres are like its rays," he said.

Both Bachchan and Khan said they share deep family ties and that their children were friends. The programme held tonight began with a minute's silence to mourn the demise of sitar maestro Ravi Shankar.

Khan's wife Subbalakshmi said a holiday should have been declared to pay tributes to Ravi Shankar.

Those present included Abhishek, Aishwarya Bachchan Pankaj Udhas, Satish Vyas, Suhel Seth and Khan's sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash.