Ustad Vilayat Khan and the Gayaki Ang: Revolutionizing the Voice of the Sitar
Author : Tawseef Ahmad Wani
Abstract :
Ustad Vilayat Khan (1928–2004), a towering figure in Hindustani classical music, transformed sitar playing by pioneering the gayaki ang—an instrumental style designed to emulate vocal nuances. This paper delves into his artistic journey, contributions, and innovations that redefined the expressive capacity of the sitar. Through detailed historical and musical analysis, it highlights how his approach, rooted in the Imdadkhani Gharana, bridged vocal and instrumental traditions. His legacy, reflected in stylistic developments and the influence on subsequent generations, firmly established gayaki ang as a central expressive technique in Indian classical instrumental music.
Keywords :
Ustad Vilayat Khan, Gayaki Ang, Sitar, Imdadkhani Gharana, Hindustani Classical Music, Raga, Instrumental Innovation.
