Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan was chosen for the 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadhbhavna Award for his contribution towards promotion of communal harmony and peace. "I am really honoured and very happy. I have very beautiful memories of Rajiv Gandhi who had a very pleasant personality," Khan said. The assassination of the late Prime Minister had moved the musician, famed for his elegant style and technique, to create a special 'raaga'. "I named the new raaga Kamal Shree, which I performed on the first death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi," newspapers reported as Khan being quoted in a PTI report.
Stressing on the need for inculcating compassion, love and kindness in children at a young age, the classical musician urged for a review of the education system, not only in th country but across the world, so that it focuses on these values. "'Sadhbhavna' is a very important subject. It is very sad that children are forced to read and write at a very young age but not told about feelings of compassion, love, kindness etc. There is so much education and literacy but the problem of violence seems to keep growing," Khan said. The maestro said he plans to plough in Rs 5 lakh cash award accompanying the Sadhbhavna Award into his Sarodghar museum, which mainly houses sarod instruments with some of them as old as 300 years. "We need funds for the museum. We encourage musicians and also provide philanthropic support for the care and treatment of poor musicians. So the award money is going into that," said Khan.
