‘Human touch can never be replaced’: Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash on AI, artistic integrity, and weight of legacy

Q: You both carry the weight of a prestigious family legacy. How has that shaped your understanding of and approach to music?

Amaan: Our bond with our father started as father and sons before it evolved into guru and disciples. Parents taught us early on: be good human beings first, and good music will follow. Music is who we are—our nature reflects in our music.

Being the elder son of such a monumental icon is a privilege. I’ve never understood the trope of children of famous artists rebelling because of their lineage. Parents are like gods—cherish and serve them. As musicians, we remain students for life. Every concert feels like the first.

Ayaan: Music has been the air we breathed since birth. We were shaped by it like water in a vessel. While our father is a traditionalist, he’s always embraced change.

Indian classical music doesn’t have rigid rules on how it should be presented or executed—it’s deeply individualistic. Over the years, we’ve tried to take the sarod to newer audiences, including those who may not typically attend classical concerts. You have to write your own story and walk it with dignity and grace.

Q: Was sarod always the obvious choice, or did you explore other instruments too?

Amaan: Growing up surrounded by instruments, it was natural to experiment. I can play the tabla—just for fun.

Ayaan: As instrumentalists, it’s fun to dabble with string instruments like the guitar or sitar. I used to play the sitar, and we also use the piano while composing.

Q: Your new album blends classical, folk, and contemporary sounds. What inspired this approach?

Amaan: Holi represents unity, peace, and joy. Our album captures its deeper spiritual and cultural essence, beyond surface revelry. Each composition deliberately weaves multiple thematic elements—from the triumph of good over evil to the celebration of divine love between Radha and Krishna, to the universal joy of renewal that comes with spring’s arrival.

Ayaan: We aimed for a sensory experience through sound. The interplay of sarod and voice mirrors the interaction of colour and canvas. Specific ragas evoke emotional hues—from serene morning tones to the intense energy of evening melodies. Working with Malini Awasthi ji added depth and authenticity with her folk expertise.

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Q. Do you both have any peculiar pre-show rituals?

Amaan: It’s a very personal journey. Every artist has his or her own way of processing the day before a concert. I zone out and spend a lot of time with myself and meditate.

Ayaan: I take it easy. Your mind is constantly working and is concerned about a good deliverance artistically. It’s a combination of spending time with yourself and meditating.

Q: Ayaan, do your children engage with classical music or lean towards modern sounds?

Ayaan: My twins, Zohaan and Abeer, are surrounded by music. Being Gen Z, they juggle studies, sarod practice and even PS5! While they practice the sarod and listen to family recordings, they also enjoy BTS, Coldplay, and Justin Bieber. I encourage them to explore all kinds of music—it’s a universal language. They are enjoying the process at the moment, but let’s see where their musical journey takes them. I’ll leave it to the Almighty.

Q: How do you keep classical music relevant for younger audiences in an age of social media and genre-bending trends?

Amaan: Classical music transcends race, borders, and time. It adapts naturally to changing eras. What started out as an art form with royal patronage, today sells out concert halls with over 3000 seats thanks to trendsetting senior artists who turned this into a brand full of dignity and grace.

Ayaan: Collaboration helps us find a shared cultural DNA. It’s crucial to know where you come from to understand where you’re headed. Classical music’s foundation is steady, even as the world shifts. With access to recordings and teachings just a click away, the future is bright. Struggles exist in every field—why single out classical music?

Q: What challenges do AI and emerging technologies pose for artists today?

Amaan: AI can mimic—but it can’t create an MF Husain or a Vincent Van Gogh. Even humans can’t perfectly replicate their own art. For AI to grasp the emotional depth of Indian classical music? It’s too early to comment on where all of this will go, but the human touch can never be replaced.

Ayaan: AI is entering every industry, including music. It raises crucial creative questions. Used wisely, it can be helpful—but it’s essential to know when to stop. There must always be space for human emotion, instinct, and imperfection.