Musical Family

The kids in the extended Sultan Khan family (everyone seems to be a brother or cousin or uncle or something) start hearing Indian classical music before they're born and by the time they can handle an instrument, the complex rhythms and melodies have already permeated their being. Sitar and sarangi are the main instruments of this family, although everyone can play some tabla. Watching and listening to them play as we sit around the house during the day and into the evening, you can tell that they are already well on their way to becoming excellent musicians at a very young age. One of the great things about the Indian music culture is that it is taught by example, by listening, by call and response. There is no written music involved and improvisation an essential element, so listening is everything. There is very little discussion or telling how... the elders just play and the kids follow. Younger kids, like Sharuk here, who might have a tendency to show off and play too fast, aren't reprimanded or told to slow down or do anything in particular, as the elders are content to let the music bug infect them and run it's course.