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Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan walked the ramp on Day One of Kolkata Fashion Week II for designer Zubair Kirmani, along with sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash. Here is what he told India Blooms correspondent Sreya Basu after the experience. Photograph: Avishek Mitra
Is this the first time you walked a ramp, Ustadji?
Yes. This is the first fashion show I participated in.
How was the experience?
I generally wear traditional clothes and I am happy that Zubair Kirmani made me wear one of his white designer sherwanis.
You look really good in this outfit...
Thanks (smiles). All the credit goes to Zubair Kirmani. He is really talented...knows what suits whom best.
Why did you agree to be the showstopper for Kirmani?
See, I feel, just as music is a celebration of life, wearing good clothes too is a celebration of life. And I am really happy to get a chance to wear such beautiful clothes. Especially with Durga Puja nearing, everyone is excited about new clothes and I am no exception.
Were you nervous?
No...I have been performing on stage throughout my life. So I don't feel nervous. But I was a bit hesitant because the ramp is generally for youths like them (points to sons Ayaan and Amaan).
But playing sarod on the stage and walking the ramp are two different things altogether...
Yes, I agree. But I have enjoyed every bit of this different experience.
Who do you think looked best among the three of you?
Amjad Ali Khan: Both of them look very nice.
Amaan Ali: Definitely him (pointing to his father).
Ayaan Ali: I agree. No one is more handsome than our father. I told him before the show started -- Aap aage aage chaliye, hum dono aap ke peeche peeche challenge.
On a scale of 10, how would the three of you rate each other?
Amjad Ali Khan: I think they (sons) looked better than me on the ramp
Amaan and Ayaan Ali: We will give him 10 on 10.
What is your style statement?
Amjad Ali Khan: I always go by traditional wear. My wife designs my clothes and basically I am a sherwani and kurta person.
Amaan Ali: I too love traditional clothes and am most comfortable in them.
Ayaan Ali: Actually, we grew up in a traditional environment and hence a kurta is more comfortable for us than jeans and tee shirt. But we like wearing all types of clothes.
All three of you were in sharp contrast on the ramp -- while Ustadji was in white, you two were in black sherwanis.
Amaan Ali: That shows he is all light...pure...divine.
Ayaan Ali: True. But we never actually thought about this. Zubair decided on the dressing and we loved it.
Amjad Ali Khan: But black too is a strong colour...it is the colour of energy and royalty.