The Facebook pages of Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s talented and handsome sons Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash was abuzz, with compliments and kudos pouring in for a call they took regarding a coveted award.
The prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi had announced that the brothers would receive the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2017 this year. For most people this would have been the icing on the cake. But the Bangash brothers are different and humility personified, a trait they have imbibed from their great father and danseuse mother Subhalakshmi Khan.
Besides, after having performed for years nationally and internationally, the duo definitely didn’t want to be included in the Yuva (youth) category. To that effect, their recent Facebook post read, ‘While every award is a great achievement and an honour especially for an artist, we will not be able to accept the Ustad Bismillah Khan ‘Yuva’ Puraskar for the Year 2017 in the field of Music which has been announced WITHOUT OUR CONSENT by Sangeet Natak Academy at this stage of our lives. After serving the world of music for over twenty five years, we have been very blessed to have received many rewards from music lovers but there are many young musicians who deserve this award more than us. Gratitude to all the revered committee members (sic).”
We contacted them for a quote, and this is what Amaan had to say, “Please don’t get me wrong, I love my country, love my governments and respect the government institutions… We have been so loved by our country and all the other government bodies, but in life, sometimes, you have to say no to help others and bring about a change in the system. I want more younger people to be encouraged in the field–something that both Ayaan bhai and I missed out on because of some elders. But, the biggest gift or award of God is to receive love and more love of the people and have a full house.”
How their parents reacted, we ask. “Maa and Abba are okay about it (their decision). They let us take our decisions,” replied Amaan.
Selflessness, grace and humility are what make the amazing Bangash family a class apart. Kudos, indeed!
