In November 2005 the College celebrated its 20th Anniversary. In addition to the annual seminar, special activities included an Open House day, a reception attended by many dignitaries from the city of Basel, and a concert featuring guest teacher and performer Lakshmi Shankar, accompanied by Swapan Chaudhrui and Ken Zuckerman.
Although Maestro Khan was unable to attend the celebration, he sent the following message of congratulations:
October 11, 2005
Dear honored guests, friends and students,
I am very happy that you have gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Ali Akbar College of Music in Basel, Switzerland.
In 1985 when I asked my disciple Ken Zuckerman to open a branch of the Ali Akbar College in Basel, I had no idea how it would develop. But during the past years I have been very pleased by the many students that have come to study at the College, both students of the Music Academy wishing to get a glimpse of a different music tradition, as well as those students from near and far who have come to study this music intensively for many years. Some of these students also come regularly to my College in California. I have enjoyed my annual visits to Basel and both Swapan Chaudhuri and I have been impressed with Ken’s dedication and ability to help make this College an important center of learning in Europe.
Many years ago my father gave me the mission to spread this music “as far as the sun and moon shine.†This has been my life-long work and I don’t want it to die. It is of great importance that my closest students and disciples, like Ken, continue this work in the future. Therefore I ask you all to give him your good wishes and support to continue this mission so that the great tradition of Indian classical music can be passed on to future generations.
I would also like to thank the Music Academy of Basel for all its help and support during the past 20 years. I have always felt very welcome in Basel and have many fond memories of my visits here.
Although 20 years is a long time, it is also just a beginning. I give my blessings and good wishes to the College for its continued success during the coming years.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Ali Akbar Khan
Swapan Chaudhuri reads Khansahib’s message during the reception to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the College.
Other speakers during the reception included Dr. Andr̩ Baltensperger, Director of the Music Academy of Basel, Michael Koechlin, Director of the Department of Culture of the city of Basel, Kjell Keller, Producer from Swiss Radio DRS and Ken Zuckerman, Director of the Ali Akbar College of Music РSwitzerland.