Grammy-Winning Artists Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash Bring Samaagam to the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus

Celebrating their Grammy-winning collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the legendary sarod maestro and his sons unite Indian classical music and Western orchestral traditions in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO, CA — Following their historic Grammy win for Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, legendary sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, bring their celebrated concerto Samaagam to the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus as part of the ensemble’s 2026–27 season. Conducted by Sameer Patel, the performance will take place at Mandeville Auditorium in San Diego, California.

The 2026 Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording recognised Meditations, a contemplative collaboration featuring the Dalai Lama’s reflections on peace, compassion and universal responsibility, interwoven with music by Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan and Ayaan, the album brought together artists united by the belief that music can transcend borders and communicate the deepest aspirations of humanity.

This spirit of unity lies at the heart of Samaagam, a Sanskrit word meaning “confluence” or “flowing together.” Composed in 2009 at the invitation of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the concerto brings the expressive depth of the sarod into dialogue with the rich textures of a Western symphony orchestra.

Drawing on nearly a dozen ragas—the melodic frameworks of Hindustani classical music—the work unfolds as a “bouquet of ragas,” moving between meditative drones, intricate rhythmic patterns, lyrical compositions and improvisatory passages. Rather than blending the two traditions at the expense of their individuality, Samaagam seeks to preserve the essence of each while discovering the musical connections that unite them.

“I have always valued the Western world for its discipline, tradition, conduct and sensitivity. Like cosmic divinity, music knows few barriers or boundaries. I have always admired and enjoyed listening to European classical musicians like Beethoven, Bach, Brahms and Russia’s Tchaikovsky,” says Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

Amaan Ali Bangash reflects on the freedom that defines Indian classical music: “Our renditions are often compared with jazz, which is not misplaced. There is scope for improvisations in both the disciplines, but in a different manner. The message of Indian classical music is freedom within the discipline.”

For Ayaan Ali Bangash, music also carries an ancient spiritual and scientific heritage, rooted in the Vedic tradition and the enduring significance of sound.

Together, the three musicians represent a living legacy of the Senia Bangash gharana, continuing generations of sarod artistry while exploring new possibilities for Indian classical music on the international stage.

From the Grammy-winning Meditations to the orchestral journey of Samaagam, their work reflects a shared artistic philosophy: that music can bring cultures together, deepen understanding and remind us of our common humanity.

Their appearance with the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus promises a compelling encounter between India’s classical musical heritage and the Western orchestral tradition—an evening of musical discovery, cultural dialogue and the universal language of sound.

EVENT DETAILS

• Performance: Samaagam — Sarod Concerto
• Artists: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash
• Orchestra: La Jolla Symphony & Chorus
• Conductor: Sameer Patel
• Venue: Mandeville Auditorium, University of California San Diego
• Season: 2026–27