MUMBAI, 15 October 2026 — In a proud moment for Indian classical music, young sarangi players Abdul Ahad Sabri and Asad Sabri, representing the eighth generation of the legendary Sabri family, have received the National Child Excellence Award at the Missile Man Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Awards held at Mayor Hall, Andheri West, Mumbai. Organised by Ryan Arts, the ceremony celebrated talent, dedication and excellence, recognising the promising young musicians for their contribution to preserving India's rich musical heritage.
The awards were presented by renowned Bollywood music composer Dilip Sen and Mrs Deepa Narayan, wife of celebrated Bollywood playback singer Udit Narayan. The recognition marks an important milestone in the musical journey of the two young artists, who are growing up in one of India's most distinguished sarangi-playing families.
A Legacy Rooted in Generations of Musical Excellence
The Sabri family occupies a special place in the history of Indian classical music. Its musical tradition has been preserved and nurtured across generations, with the sarangi serving as the family's defining instrument and artistic voice.
Abdul Ahad Sabri and Asad Sabri are the grandsons of the legendary Ustad Sabri Khan Sahib, one of India's most celebrated sarangi maestros, whose extraordinary artistry helped bring the instrument to audiences across the world. Revered for his command of classical ragas and his expressive musical language, Ustad Sabri Khan left behind a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and admirers of Indian classical music.
Their father, Ustad Kamal Sabri, internationally recognised for his contributions to Indian classical music, has carried this heritage forward while introducing the sarangi to new generations and international audiences. Through his performances, teaching and dedication to the instrument, he has helped sustain the family's musical tradition in a changing cultural landscape.
Now, with Abdul Ahad and Asad representing the eighth generation, the Sabri musical lineage is entering another chapter. Their journey reflects the continuity of a tradition in which knowledge, discipline and artistic sensitivity are passed from one generation to the next.
Abdul Ahad and Asad: Young Musicians with a Historic Responsibility
For Abdul Ahad Sabri and Asad Sabri, the National Child Excellence Award is more than a personal achievement. It represents recognition of their commitment to an instrument that demands years of practice, patience and a deep understanding of Indian classical music.
The sarangi is widely admired for its remarkable ability to evoke the nuances of the human voice. Its intricate technique requires exceptional control, musical understanding and emotional expression. Learning the instrument within a family steeped in this tradition offers the young musicians a distinctive opportunity to develop their artistry under the influence of an established musical heritage.
Their progress also highlights the importance of introducing younger generations to India's classical arts at an early age. At a time when young people encounter an increasingly diverse range of musical influences, the continued practice of traditional instruments remains essential to safeguarding the country's cultural inheritance.
For the Sabri family, nurturing the next generation is not simply about preserving the past. It is about ensuring that the sarangi remains a living, evolving art form capable of reaching new listeners in India and abroad.
Recognition at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Awards
The presentation at Mayor Hall, Andheri West, Mumbai, on 15 October 2026 brought together the spirit of artistic achievement and the ideals associated with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, India's former President and the renowned scientist affectionately remembered as the Missile Man of India.
The awards celebrated excellence and encouraged young achievers to pursue their ambitions with dedication and confidence. Organised by Ryan Arts, the event provided a platform to acknowledge the accomplishments of talented individuals and recognise the importance of encouraging young people to develop their abilities.
The presence of Dilip Sen, a well-known Bollywood music composer, and Mrs Deepa Narayan added significance to the occasion. Their presentation of the awards to Abdul Ahad and Asad Sabri marked a memorable moment for the young musicians and their family.
The recognition also drew attention to the relationship between India's classical musical traditions and the country's broader creative landscape, demonstrating how artistic heritage continues to inspire new generations.
Ustad Kamal Sabri: Guiding the Next Generation
Behind the young musicians' journey stands their father, Ustad Kamal Sabri, whose career reflects a commitment to carrying the sarangi beyond traditional concert settings and introducing its distinctive sound to audiences around the world.
As the son of Ustad Sabri Khan Sahib, he inherited a rich musical tradition and has continued to build upon it through his own performances and artistic endeavours. His role in guiding Abdul Ahad and Asad represents the continuation of a family tradition in which musical learning is closely connected with cultural identity and responsibility.
For the two young sarangiyas, their family heritage offers both inspiration and a responsibility to develop their own musical voices. Their achievement at the National Child Excellence Awards provides encouragement as they continue their artistic journey.
A Promising Future for the Sarangi
The recognition of Abdul Ahad Sabri and Asad Sabri is a reminder that India's classical music traditions remain vibrant when they are embraced by younger generations. Their achievement celebrates not only two promising young artists but also the enduring strength of the Sabri family's musical inheritance.
From Ustad Sabri Khan Sahib's celebrated artistry to Ustad Kamal Sabri's international musical journey, and now to the aspirations of Abdul Ahad and Asad, the sarangi continues to connect generations through sound, discipline and devotion.
As the eighth generation of this distinguished lineage, the young musicians represent the promise of continuity for one of India's treasured musical traditions. Their National Child Excellence Award is a proud milestone—one that honours their present achievement while encouraging them to pursue the demanding and rewarding path of Indian classical music.
For the Sabri family, the journey continues, with the timeless voice of the sarangi finding new expression in the hands of its youngest generation.
