As part of tight surveillance, dogs were made to sniff the instruments of sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, and his sons Aman Ali and Ayaan Ali who were in city on Sunday to perform for a concerto which was part of the ongoing Bonjour India – Festival of France.
“It was heartening to have receptive and discerning audience of Amdavad,” said Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan who was in city on Sunday with his two sons Amaan Ali and Ayaan Ali to perform with two French ensembles at a concert on which took place as a part of the ongoing Bonjour India – Festival of France. “But the tight security measures were upsetting and disheartening,” he added.
Screening instrument boxes of musicians is a routine practice that is observed at many metros. However, the instrument boxes are generally checked before they are bought on the stage inside the hall. Sadly, at this concert the dogs were allowed to and made to climb the stage and sniff the instruments right there while they were unveiled for the programme on the stage.
Shaken by this practice, Khan said, “The security authorities needed to respect the sentiments of the artists. Dogs must not be allowed to climb the stage and sniff the instruments. Such practice was upsetting and humiliating.”
Khans had unveiled their sarods and had placed them on the stage along with the instruments of the French orchestra. Generally Khans carry their instruments themselves on the stage. “At this concert we left the instruments on the stage as that was the practice that French counterparts follow and we were performing as a part of the ensemble,” said Khan.
Presenting the newly-composed ‘Ananta Opus-195’ written by Pierre Thilloy with the Avignon Provence Symphonic Orchestra and Kords Collective at the concerto which was conducted by Samuel Jean at Ahmedabad was an unforgettable experience but manner in which dogs were made to sniff their sarods were quite disturbing, Khan said. It must be noted that the musical instruments are highly revered as a holy object by Hindustani classical musicians.
