Sitar maestro from Scotland enthrals
LONDON: Clem Alford, a Glasgowborn sitar artiste who has won several accolades in India and the West, gave a virtuoso performance reflecting classical music’s growing popularity in Britain. Alford took to the instrument in the 1960s after being inspired by Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan.
Called a “Scottish Pandit” for his knowledge of Indian classical music, Alford, 70, chose Raga Puriya Kalyan for a detailed and mellifluous exposition (alap, jor, jhala), and concluded the Nehru Centre concert with a delightful Ragamalika (garland of ragas).
Alford, who gained music degrees in India, performed extensively and collaborated with leading musicians there and in the West, is among a growing number of British musicians whose knowledge and virtuosity is acknowledged in the world of Indian classical music.
“All these musicians have spent between 30 and 40 years learning Indian instruments. The popularity of our classical music is also growing now due to sites such as Youtube and Facebook,” Jay Visvadeva, head of Sama Arts Network, a leading cultural organisation, said.
Alford, who has taught hundreds of people at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London over the years and composed music for some films, told Hindustan Times: “Indian classical music is safe in the hands of the young generation in India. It is growing here too.” He said Ravi Shankar was the man who deserved the most credit for popularising Indian classical music in the west.