Each instrument is different just as each individual person is different. There are different ways of behaving with different kinds of persons according to their nature and their structure. Same thing holds true for the instruments also.
To be more precise about this, each instrument is like a person. Each instrument has different domain, different nature and different flavor. It happens that many artists do not understand the domain of their instrument and in mere effort of copying some another artist, loose this attachment with the soul of their instruments.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, I would dare to say, has clearly understood his instrument, Sarod. Many Sarod players though play their instrument very skillfully, have somewhere failed to understand the nature and fabric of their instrument. I have heard Amjad Ali Khan a lot and have attended many of his concert. Amjad Ali Khan has never stretched Sarod beyond its limit. He has never troubled his instrument to show his skills on his instrument.
Sarod is a very gentle instrument with glides and many other delicate playing features. Not many Sarod players understand and realize this fact and in order demonstrate how skillful they are, they go on playing Sarod against its nature.
India has many great Sarod players, but Amjad Ali Khan has special place in my heart because he has done the difficult task of understanding his instrument, respecting its nature and give listeners sheer joy.
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