Spirit to Soul (Full Movie)
Channel: Indian Diplomacy
Date: 2012-06-08

Ustad Vilayat Khan (1928-2004) was one of India's greatest sitar maestro's born into the musical family of the Imdadkhani Gharana. He recorded his first RPM at the tender age of 8, and went on to become one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was not only a fantastic sitar player, he also developed his own trademark style called the Gayaki Ang. In this style, the sitar sounds like vocal forms such as Khayal. Ustad Vilayat Khan personally designed the sitar to suit his style. The film 'Spirit to Soul' is a personal journey by his daughter, disciple and Sufi singer Zila Khan, to understand the complex and multifaceted nature of Ustad Vilayat Khan. Through a series of interviews with many eminent musicians amongst others, as well as with strains of the sitar, the film documents the figure of the Ustad and his ability to break out of traditions, both musical and otherwise.