Kamal Sabri, a gifted musician and son of the legendary Sarangi maestro Ustad Sabri Khan, is a torchbearer of the rich legacy of the Senia and Moradabad Gharanas. As the seventh generation of a distinguished lineage of traditional musicians, Kamal Sabri has demonstrated exceptional versatility and mastery over the Sarangi, an instrument deeply rooted in Indian classical music. Initiated into the world of music at the tender age of five, Kamal was rigorously trained by his father in the Senia Gharana style of Rampur and Moradabad. His early brilliance as a child prodigy quickly captured the attention of the musical world.
Kamal’s profound talent as a Sarangi player has made him a sought-after accompanist among eminent classical vocalists, and his performances have garnered widespread acclaim. Over the years, he has participated in many of India’s prestigious music festivals, including the Harballabh Music Festival in Jalandhar, the Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior, the Saptak Festival in Ahmedabad, the Swami Haridas Music Festival in Mumbai, and the ITC Sangeet Sammelan in New Delhi. His performances at these festivals have earned him the admiration of audiences and critics alike.
Kamal Sabri has also collaborated with some of the most renowned musicians in the world, including Zakir Hussain, Fateh Ali Khan, Hossam Ramzy, and Jukka Tolonen. He has performed with the Rondo Vienna Orchestra from Austria and shared the stage with Jan Garbarek for the King of Norway. His versatility extends beyond the realm of Indian classical music, as he has contributed his Sarangi skills to various genres, recording with bands like Massive Attack and One Giant Leap, and working on Hollywood and Bollywood films.
In addition to being a virtuoso Sarangi player, Kamal Sabri is also an accomplished composer. He has created powerful and ambient scores for documentary films such as *The Big Question* featuring Mel Gibson and Monica Bellucci, *Bollywood Boulevard*, *Mystics of Sufism* for the BBC, and works for the Red Cross and Mother Teresa. Kamal has also composed music for several albums and orchestras, including *Dance of the Desert*, *Sabri Ensemble*, *Sarangi Funk*, *Ellam Anggekkai* (a South Indian album), *Tera Naam*, and the Indian Contemporary Music Orchestra with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra.
Despite his extensive exploration of diverse musical genres, Kamal Sabri remains deeply committed to preserving the purity of Indian classical music. Through his Sarangi, he continues to bridge the rich traditions of the past with the evolving landscape of contemporary music, ensuring that the soul of Indian classical music resonates in every note he plays.