News & Updates
Highlighting some of the special projects, productions and explorations in music
'Searching for the Blues' - an exploration into the meaning and the soul of the notion of "the blues", within the context of traditional and folk music from western India. A three part docu-series commissioned by The Aga Khan Museum (Toronto, Canada) in partnership with Amarrass Records. In episode one, we introduced Lakha Khan — a seventh-generation Sindhi Sarangi virtuoso and vocalist who is at risk of being the last Sindhi Sarangi musician in his family. The episode highlights Lakha Khan and his blues, and how his universal spiritual message defies language and geographic barriers. Lakha Khan is one of the last remaining masters of the complex instrument who harmonizes in over six languages including Hindi, Marwari, Sindhi, Punjabi, Seraiki, Brij and Multani. With a secular songbook that strikes the perfect balance of classical and folk music, Lakha Khan joined Amarrass Records Ankur Malhotra in a bid to keep his music alive and create a legacy for generations to come. Since the inception of this partnership, Lakha Khan has performed for audiences far and wide, recording numerous albums to acclaimed critical reviews.
In Episode 2 we visit Sindhi Sarangi master Lakha Khan in his Rajasthani home, featuring footage of Lakha Khan performing songs and instrumentals that speak to the worldly and sacred nature of his music, including Hindu bhajans, Sufi kalaams, and folk songs. Fluent in five languages, he sings in Seraiki, Sindhi, Marwari, Punjabi and Hindi.
With the introduction of some of India’s next-generation musicians, the final episode in our three-part docu-series grapples with the question of how to carry on and preserve a centuries-old oral and musical tradition. We meet Lakha Khan’s son, Dane, who not long ago was driving a truck and showed little interest in following in his father’s footsteps. Now, Dane has joined forces with his father and an inspiring collection of artists, craftspeople, and other culture lovers striving to keep Rajasthani musical traditions alive.