Alam Khan

Alam Khan was born in California in 1982. He studied sarod under his father, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, in the guru-shishya tradition from the age of seven. Khan is the direct heir to the legacy of the Senia Maihar gharana, which was established by his grandfather Baba Alauddin Khan in the 19th century in India.

In 1996, as a young teenager, Khan began his apprenticeship under his father by accompanying him on stage in concerts around the world. He continued performing alongside his father until 2006 in prestigious venues and festivals, including the Royal Jodhpur Palace, the Dover Lane Music Festival in Kolkata, and New York’s Lincoln Center Jazz Festival. These performances spanned the United States, Canada, Europe, and India, earning him widespread acclaim.

During his childhood in America, Alam grew up listening to a wide variety of music, with hip hop leaving a significant impression on him. While traveling to India as a teenager, he began experimenting with music production, composing hip hop tracks during his free time from classical music performances. This creative exploration led to the formation of the genre-defying band, Grand Tapestry, in 2016 alongside Indie hip hop legends Eligh and Salar Nader.

In addition to his work with Grand Tapestry, Khan has collaborated with the San Francisco and Fremont symphonies and the Grammy-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band. Despite his forays into different musical genres, classical music remains his central focus and guiding light. He cherishes the distinct sound, imaginative process, and deep traditions of the Senia Maihar gharana, often referring to his father as his “king.”

As the sole heir to the musical legacy of his grandfather and father, Alam Khan has gracefully taken on the responsibilities of preserving and continuing their tradition. In 2009, after the passing of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Alam stepped in to continue his father’s classes at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California. At just 27 years old, he not only shouldered this immense responsibility but also continued to learn from his father’s vast archive of recordings, forging his path as one of the finest sarod players of his generation.

Today, Alam leads a dynamic life, balancing his role as a teacher at the Ali Akbar College of Music with an ever-growing career as a classical music performer. Teaching has deepened his understanding of the music, and he is committed to guiding future generations in the tradition of his father’s sarod playing.

Alam Khan has performed at the Darbar Festival in 2011 and 2023, showcasing his exceptional talent and versatility. In 2011, he performed alongside tabla maestro Anubrata Chatterjee, and in 2023, he collaborated with the esteemed Yogesh Samsi, further solidifying his reputation as a torchbearer of the Senia Maihar gharana.

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