If you practice for ten years, you may begin to please yourself, after 20 years you may become a performer and please the audience, after 30 years you may please even your guru, but you must practice for many more years before you finally become a true artist-then you may please even God.
Ali Akbar KhanOur sages developed music from time immemorial to take shelter in one's true self. Real music is not for wealth, not for honors, or not even for the joys of the mind - it is a path for realization and salvation.
Ali Akbar KhanSinging instrumental music is most important because, while you play an instrument, you are singing through the instrument... actually, you are singing inside.
Ali Akbar Khan