Mumbai:
Having shunned the public stage since 1985 to 'bring harmony' to the lives of her legendary husband and talented sons, Shubhalakshmi Khan needed a lot of coaxing by sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan before agreeing to receive a Lifetime award.
"She gave up her career just to give us peace and harmony. She has a knack for creativity and when an organisation here approached us for conferring the Lifetime achievement honour on her, she was in two minds.
"But then we all pressured Subhalakshmi to accept the prestigious honour tomorrow from West Bengal, a state which acknowledges kalakars," Amjad Ali Khan said.
Incidentally, the sarod maestro was one among a few who were awarded the 'Bangabibhusan' title by the West Bengal government a few days ago in recognition of his contribution to the world of music.
Amjad, also a Padma Vibhushan awardee, recalled how he composed raga Subhalakshmi on her birthday in 1993 and dedicated it to her.
"I was then in Chennai to perform in 2000-seat music academy and the next day happened to be my wife's birthday. So I composed the raag," he said.
"She is everything behind our creativity. I can't repay her so I composed the raga in appreciation," he said, adding, "Even our kurtas are designed by her."
Referring to Subhalakshmi's role in moulding their two gifted sons Ayaan and Amaan, Khan said, "Mother is the first guru of any child. Many people abandon their parents in search of their gurus. Lekin sabse bara guru apna ma aur baap (parents are the biggest teachers)," she said.
"She gave up her career just to give us peace and harmony. She has a knack for creativity and when an organisation here approached us for conferring the Lifetime achievement honour on her, she was in two minds.
"But then we all pressured Subhalakshmi to accept the prestigious honour tomorrow from West Bengal, a state which acknowledges kalakars," Amjad Ali Khan said.
Incidentally, the sarod maestro was one among a few who were awarded the 'Bangabibhusan' title by the West Bengal government a few days ago in recognition of his contribution to the world of music.
Amjad, also a Padma Vibhushan awardee, recalled how he composed raga Subhalakshmi on her birthday in 1993 and dedicated it to her.
"I was then in Chennai to perform in 2000-seat music academy and the next day happened to be my wife's birthday. So I composed the raag," he said.
"She is everything behind our creativity. I can't repay her so I composed the raga in appreciation," he said, adding, "Even our kurtas are designed by her."
Referring to Subhalakshmi's role in moulding their two gifted sons Ayaan and Amaan, Khan said, "Mother is the first guru of any child. Many people abandon their parents in search of their gurus. Lekin sabse bara guru apna ma aur baap (parents are the biggest teachers)," she said.
