The Sarods of the Khan Family
Commission

Ustadh Ali Akbar Khan, the legendary sarod maestro, is widely credited with introducing Hindustani classical music to Western audiences. In 1967, he founded the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California, shaping generations of musicians and establishing a lasting cultural legacy.

The Khan family’s musical lineage spans more than 500 years, tracing back to Tansen, the revered court musician of India’s Mughal dynasty. Growing up in California, I shared my childhood with Alam and Manik Khan, the youngest sons of Ustadh Ali Akbar Khan, forming a lifelong connection rooted in music, community, faith, and shared history.

This bond is echoed in a meaningful historical moment: Ustadh Ali Akbar Khan performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Livermore, California a temple my father helped build and found. This reflects how music transcends religion and belief. Both our fathers’ names are inscribed on the temple walls, this marks the beginning of my interfaith understanding of the interconnectedness of Islam and Hinduism and music’s ability to unite them.

In a world often marked by division, the presence of a Hindu temple in the United States bearing the name of a Muslim musician speaks to unity, respect, and cultural continuity. Music, at its highest expression, dissolves boundaries and brings people together.

As an artist and musician, fittingly named Sangeetha, the Sanskrit word for “music” this commission held deep personal and cultural significance. Drawing from my training in Hindustani classical music and profound respect for the Khan family, I designed three distinct sarod logo designs rendered in Arabic calligraphy.

Each logo was uniquely inspired by its player, reflecting individual identity, lineage, and musical expression. While unified in spirit, each sarod stands as its own visual language. The number three was chosen intentionally, symbolizing auspiciousness and balance in both Hindu and Muslim traditions.

This commission is a reflection of music’s enduring ability to connect generations, cultures, and faiths, honoring tradition while allowing each voice to remain distinct.

—Sangeetha Kowsik | Creative Director Ihsan Ishan Design