As Pt. Arvind Parikh celebrates his 99th birthday on October 19 and steps into his centenrary year, there cannot be a more fitting moment to trace the journey of this distinguished sitarist, discerning musicologist, visionary teacher and one of the senior-most disciples of Ustad Vilayat Khan.
Affectionately addressed as Arvind Bhai, his accomplishments extend beyond the concert platform. A towering personality in India’s logistics industry, he has pursued two demanding careers with equal distinction, demonstrating that artistic commitment and professional enterprise can thrive concurrently.
Yet, for those few, fortunate enough to have received his taalim, these distinctions tell only part of the story. His greatest contribution, perhaps, lies in the generations of musicians he has nurtured and the musical wisdom he continues to share with extraordinary generosity.
As a teacher, he examines every phrase, explains every nuance and addresses every challenge. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
My association with Panditji began in 1974, when, with the blessings and permission of his Guru, Ustad Vilayat Khan, he accepted me as his disciple. Looking back at my five-decade association with him, I remain astonished by the discipline and devotion with which he approached teaching, even during the busiest years of his professional life.
His days were occupied with the responsibilities of a flourishing business, interspersed with concerts and musical engagements. Nevertheless, our lessons would invariably begin at 9 p.m. Whatever the demands of the day, he arrived with undiminished energy and complete concentration. Every phrase was examined, every nuance patiently explained, and every difficulty addressed.
There was never any suggestion that teaching was an obligation to be accommodated within an already crowded schedule. For him, it was an essential part of being a musician.
I was doubly fortunate to receive vocal training from his wife, Kishori Parikh — an accomplished musician, trained in the Kirana gharana under Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan and Ustad Faiyaz Ahmed Khan. Her teaching was equally meticulous and intellectually stimulating.
Pt Arvind Parikh, occupies a particularly significant position in the lineage of the Etawah-Imdadkhani gharana. As the senior-most ‘gandabandh shagird’ of Ustad Vilayat Khan, he enjoyed a close association with the maestro for nearly six decades. Such musical companionship is rare besides carrying forward the inheritance he assimilated, not only the distinctive repertoire and technical brilliance of the Vilayatkhani ‘baaj’, but also its underlying philosophy of musical expression.
The ‘gayaki ang’ which gives the sitar the expressive fluidity and emotional depth of the human voice, is central to this tradition. Its beauty lies, not simply in reproducing vocal phrases on an instrument, but in understanding the delicate inflections, measured silences, subtle oscillations and emotional character that lend each raga its individuality.
Panditji’s approach to teaching reflects this understanding. Technical accomplishment, however dazzling, is never treated as an end in itself. The student must learn to appreciate the aesthetic reasoning behind every phrase and the discipline that sustains artistic freedom. In an age when speed, visibility and virtuosity often overshadow patient musical contemplation, this insistence on depth assumes special significance.
Remarkably, he has never accepted remuneration for teaching. What he expects in return is sincere riyaz, respect for the tradition and a genuine commitment to the musical values.
What makes Panditji’s contribution particularly relevant today is his ability to reconcile the traditional guru–sishya parampara with the possibilities offered by modern technology. His analytical temperament and organisational acumen, sharpened through decades of professional experience, have enabled him to develop a systematic approach to music education. He has structured and digitised teaching material, making it accessible to students as virtual study and reference material.
Pt Arvind Parikh enjoyed an exceptionally close association with his guru, Ustad Vilayat Khan. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Every Friday, even today, he conducts an hour-long online workshop attended by disciples and serious students of music from across the world. What began as an extension of his teaching has evolved into a closely connected musical community, the Vilayatkhani Parivar.
Another valuable initiative is the monthly baithaks series, he has organised for years at his residence. Eminent musicians representing different gharanas and stylistic approaches were invited to perform, demonstrate and engage in illuminating conversations. These gatherings were conceived primarily to broaden the musical understanding of his disciples. The recordings are now available on YouTube, acting as a valuable archive on music.
Equally meaningful is the annual two-day Guru Purnima celebration, instituted by Panditji in homage to Ustad Vilayat Khan. Disciples from across the globe converge.
Many of his disciples have established themselves as performing artistes and teachers. Through them, the musical language of the Etawah-Imdadkhani gharana continues to flourish.
Even today, his routine retains precision. Punctuality is second nature to him, and his intellectual curiosity remains undiminished. He follows developments in the world of Indian classical music with keen interest, engages thoughtfully with questions concerning its future and extends compassionate assistance to musicians facing difficulties.
Despite his vast knowledge and achievements, he remains an attentive listener, open to dialogue. The Sanskrit saying Vidya Dadati Vinayam — knowledge bestows humility — comes naturally to mind.
Perhaps this is why his disciples experience the relationship with him as something far greater than musical instruction. He teaches through example that excellence requires discipline, knowledge demands responsibility and the privilege of receiving a great tradition carries with it the obligation to preserve and transmit it.
As Indian classical music negotiates the challenges of changing audiences, evolving technologies and increasingly abbreviated modes of learning, Pandit Arvind Parikh’s life offers a reassuring reminder that tradition need not be static to remain authentic.
As he enters his centenary year, the musical fraternity celebrates not just the longevity of an extraordinary artiste, but the continuing vitality of a tradition sustained by his dedication.