For Guruji, Khan Sahib, Aashish uncle, Zakir uncle & Papa - You have always shown me the way. Pandit Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) and Ustad Ali AKbar Khan (1922-2009) were amongst the greatest luminaries of North Indian Classical music. Both were disciples of the legendary Baba Allauddin Khan of the Maihar Senia Gharana. Through their concerts and teaching, they enriched the tradition of Indian music, helped bring India's rich cultural heritage to the rest of the world and touched the lives of millions. My father, Dr. Narendra Verma, started teaching me tabla when I was 3 years old. My parents raised my siblings and I surrounded by Indian music and culture. His guru, Ustad Alla Rakha (1919-2000) and Pandit Ravi Shankar were like grandfathers to us. They, along with Ustad Zakir Hussain and other renowned musicians often stayed with us between concerts; relaxing, teaching and telling their stories. In 1987 I moved to Guruji's (Ravi Shankar) home in Delhi and became his disciple, learning to play the sarod. Extraordinary years followed. He brought me to the great sarod virtuoso Ustad Aashish Khan for simultaneous training from 1992. Aashish uncle treated me as his own son. A few years later while visiting him in California, he had me also continue studying with his father, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. I am so grateful, as each has continued to shape my music and my life. I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed. Raga Sindhu Bhairavi - C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C When I was 10 years old, Khan Sahib and Zakir uncle concluded a concert with this Dhun in the traditional Raga Sindhu Bhairavi. I still remember the sound of his sarod as though it was yesterday... Raga Charukauns - C D E F G A♭ B♭ C Guruji created Raga Charukauns in 1978 by combining Charukeshi from the South Indian Carnatic system of Indian music with Malkauns from the North Indian Hindustani system. The depth, grandeur, dignity, bravery and heroism of Malkauns intermix with the romanticism and pathos of Charukeshi in this late evening raga. Raga Bhoop-Mand - C D E F G A B C Khan Sahib was a court musician for the Maharaja of Jodhpur from 1943 until India's independence in 1947. During those early years he was inspired by the popular Rajasthani folk melody known as Mand, which he blended with Raga Bhoopali to create the wonderful and joyous Raga Bhoop-Mand. Ravindra Yavagal accompanies on tabla.