Pandit Arvind Parikh is a highly respected Indian sitar maestro, scholar, and cultural ambassador of Hindustani classical music & industrialist. He is one of the senior-most disciples of Ustad Vilayat Khan, belonging to the Imdadkhani (Etawah) Gharana, one of the most influential sitar traditions in India.
Here’s a detailed overview of his life and contributions:
🎵 Early Life & Training
Born: 19 October 1927, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Family: He came from a cultured Gujarati family that valued music and the arts.
Guru: Began learning sitar at a young age and became a disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan at the age of 17.
He trained rigorously under Vilayat Khan for many years, imbibing the distinctive gayaki ang (vocal style) of the Imdadkhani gharana.
🎶 Musical Career
Arvind Parikh’s sitar playing is marked by clarity, precision, and depth of emotion, with an emphasis on melodic beauty (raagdaari) rather than showmanship.
He has performed widely in India and abroad since the 1950s.
As a teacher and mentor, he has trained several prominent sitarists and instrumentalists.
He is also known for his efforts to document and preserve Hindustani classical traditions through research and interviews with great maestros.
🪔 Contributions Beyond Performance
Musicologist & Organizer: He has written and lectured extensively about Hindustani classical music and its teaching traditions.
Guru-Shishya Parampara Promotion: Founded organizations like Sangeet Research Academy (Kolkata) and Tarangini to promote music education.
He also helped establish forums such as the Music Forum, Mumbai, and the ITC-SRA Music Circle.
Author: He compiled the book "Mehfil Mein" — a collection of interviews and reflections on classical music and musicians.
🏅 Awards & Recognition
Padma Bhushan (2018) – One of India’s highest civilian honors for his lifelong service to Indian classical music.
Tansen Samman, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and many other honors for his contribution to music and cultural preservation.
👥 Students & Legacy
Some of his prominent disciples include:
Shujaat Khan (son of Ustad Vilayat Khan)
Shom Nath Mukherjee, Rupak Kulkarni, and many others.
He continues to guide young musicians and is respected as a living link to one of the most glorious traditions of Indian instrumental music.
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