Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, best known for promoting classical Indian music in the West, died on Friday, the Press Trust of India reported. He was 87. Khan died at his music centre near San Francisco in the United States after a prolonged kidney ailment, the news agency said. The accomplished musician had played the sarod, a 25-stringed Indian instrument, since the age of 13.
He was admired by both Eastern and Western musicians for his brilliant compositions and for his mastery of blending music. Khan was awarded India's highest civilian honours of Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian classical music.