Film Circle screening of “Ustad Asad Ali Khan- A Portrait”

Date: 26/09/2014
Time: 6:00 अपराह्न
Venue: IGNCA Auditorium, Media Centre, 3 Dr. R. P. Road, New Delhi


Director : Renuka George Duration : 70 minutes followed by Question and Answer session with Director.

This is a documentary film on Asad Ali Khan Khan (1937-2011), the eminent instrumentalist of Jaipur Beenkar gharana. Asad Ali was privileged to have a great family heritage, which boasted of legendary instrumentalists like Rajab Ali Khan, Musharraf Khan and Sadiq Ali Khan. He was one of the very few musicians to practice rudravina, an instrument now almost extinct.

The documentary takes us from Rampur, where his father was a court musician, to New Delhi where he lived until his death in June 2011. He shares with us the complexities of practicing this rare instrument. We get a glimpse of what life must have been like in the court days, and how the artistes of that generation dedicated themselves to their art. The artist plays at home for us, sharing his music generously and intimately.