his father Ustad Allauddin Khan. Ali Akbar Khan gave his first public
performance in Allahabad at the age of thirteen. In his early twenties, he
became the court musician for the Maharaja of Jodhpur. He has been
continuing his father"s tradition since his father died in 1972. He is the
recipient of several awards including the President of India award (1963), the
Padma Bhushan, the Padma Vibushan (1988), the Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award (1963), the Sangeet Natak fellowship (1992) and the Kalidas Samman
(1991).
Alla Rakha (1919–2000) was one of the most celebrated tabla players in
the world. He was hailed not only for his performing finesse but also for the
incomparable feat of accompaniment he provided to other musicians. In 1936
he entered the Bombay film world as a music director under his real name,
A.R. Qureshi and composed music for a number of Hindi and Punjabi films,
including superhit films like Sabak, Khandan, Maa Baap, Madari and
Bewafa. He founded the Institute of Music in Mumbai in 1986. He also
earned great recognition abroad as a soloist and accompanist, with a string of
awards in San Francisco and California. Back home he was the recipient of
the Padma Shri (1977) and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1982) among
others.
Amjad Ali Khan (b.1945) is one of the greatest exponents of Sarod and
learnt the art of playing the instrument from his father Hafiz Ali Khan. He
holds the distinction of being the first north Indian artist to perform in the
honour of Thyagaraja at the saint-musician’s Thiruvaiyur shrine. He made
many changes to the conventional style and structure of Sarod. He has also
been an innovator in introducing the gayaki ang, which has added new
dimensions to performances on this instrument. He is the recipient of many
awards and honours including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1989), the
Padma Shri (1975), the Tansen Award (1989), the Padma Bhushan (1991)
and the International Music Forum Award, UNESCO (1970).
Bal Murali Krishna (b.1930) is an enterprising instrumentalist who plays
Violin, Khanjira, Veena and Mridangam, besides being a renowned music
composer. He is the recipient of several awards which include the Padma
Vibhushan, the Padma Shri (1971), the Best Play Back Singer (23rd National
                                Music Director (34th National Film Festival,
Film Festival, 1976), the Best