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Dilshad Khan
Dilshad Khan
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Dilshad Khan (born Arabinda Dasgupta)[1] is a Hindustani classical singer and the husband of Parween Sultana. Khan is the younger brother of sarod musician Buddhadev Das Gupta.

Early life and background

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Khan was born in Kolkata.[2] He is the younger brother of sarod musician Buddhadev Das Gupta.[3] He attended St. Xavier's Collegiate School, Kolkata, where future music composer R. D. Burman was his classmate.[4]

He started learning tabla at the age of four, but later took up singing under the guidance of N.C. Chakravorty, Hidan Banarjee and Gyan Prakash Ghosh. He was inspired by Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. After moving permanently to Mumbai, Khan became a disciple of Kirana Gharana vocalists Ustad Faiyyaz Ahmed Khan and Ustad Niaz Ahmed Khan.[5]

Personal life

[edit]

Khan is married to classical vocalist, Begum Parveen Sultana. They have a daughter; Shadaab Sultana Khan.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Dilshad Khan (born 4 September 1983) is an Indian classical musician renowned for his mastery of the , a central to Hindustani music, and as a vocalist from the of . Hailing from , he represents the tenth generation of a hereditary lineage of players and vocalists originally patronized by the of , with his great-grandfather Ustad Azim Khan serving as a court musician. Khan began his musical training at the age of six under the guidance of his grandfather, Gulab Khan, a player and vocalist, followed by instruction from his father, Nasir Khan, a player, and his uncle, the acclaimed maestro and awardee Sultan Khan. As the nephew of Sultan Khan and cousin to fellow musician Sabir Khan, he has carried forward the gharana's tradition of intricate bowing techniques and emotive vocal emulation on the . His early talent was evident when he performed at the Youth Festival at age ten. Throughout his career, Khan has bridged classical and contemporary realms, contributing sarangi performances to over 500 Bollywood films, including notable soundtracks for Devdas (2002), Mohabbatein (2000), Rockstar (2011), and Dangal (2016). He earned international acclaim as a Grammy Award winner in 2009 for his collaboration with Ustad Zakir Hussain on the album Global Drum Project. Khan received the prestigious Aga Khan Music Award in 2022 for his contributions to sarangi and vocal music preservation. His performances span renowned festivals and venues worldwide, including his debut at the Darbar Festival in 2008 and a return in 2024 alongside player Jayanthi Kumaresh, as well as appearances at Savai Gandharva in , in , Shankar Lal Music Festival in , and the Royal Albert Hall in . Khan has collaborated with luminaries such as Pt. , Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Heiko Dijker, blending traditional ragas like , Megh, and Puriya Kalyan with fusion elements in live concerts and recordings. His work extends to international tours in the United States, , the , and Europe, promoting the 's soulful expressiveness in both pure classical and cross-cultural contexts.

Early life and education

Birth and family background

Dilshad Khan was born on 4 September 1983 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He hails from the Sikar gharana and represents the tenth generation of a hereditary lineage of sarangi players and vocalists, originally patronized by the Maharaja of Sikar. His great-grandfather, Ustad Azim Khan, served as a court musician, while his grandfather, Ustad Gulab Khan, was a renowned sarangi player and vocalist. Khan's father, Ustad Nasir Khan, is a sitar player, and his uncle is the acclaimed sarangi maestro and Padma Bhushan awardee Ustad Sultan Khan. He is also the cousin of musician Sabir Khan.

Formal education and initial interests

Details on Dilshad Khan's formal non-musical education are not widely documented in available sources. His early life was immersed in the family's musical traditions, with initial interests centered on . At the age of six, he began training in and vocal music under the guidance of his grandfather, Ustad Gulab Khan.

Musical training and development

Early instrumental training

Dilshad Khan began his formal training in at the age of six under the guidance of his grandfather, Ustad Gulab Khan, a renowned sarangi player and vocalist from the . This early immersion focused on the instrument's bowing techniques and its role in emulating vocal nuances central to Hindustani music. His training continued with his father, Ustad Nasir Khan, a player and vocalist, who further developed Khan's understanding of rhythm and melody through familial instruction in . These foundational years emphasized the 's expressive capabilities, building technical proficiency in intricate string articulations essential for classical performances.

Vocal training and influences

Alongside , Khan received concurrent vocal training from his grandfather Ustad Gulab Khan, instilling the emotive depth and improvisational styles of the gharana. This dual approach allowed him to master the gharana's tradition of vocal emulation on the , blending lyrical phrasing with instrumental precision. Advanced guidance came from his uncle, the acclaimed maestro Ustad Sultan Khan, a awardee, who refined Khan's techniques in bowing and rhythmic elaboration. The gharana's emphasis on soulful expression and complex taans shaped his versatile style, enabling seamless integration of vocal and instrumental elements in performances.

Professional career

Debut and early performances

Dilshad Khan made his debut performance at the age of ten at the Youth Festival in around 1993, showcasing his early mastery of the . Following this, he began performing in local and national concerts, building on his training in the Sikar gharana's intricate bowing techniques and vocal emulation. His early appearances included broadcasts on and participation in youth music events, which helped establish his reputation as a promising sarangi exponent. By his late teens, Khan was accompanying established artists and performing solo recitals, demonstrating the instrument's emotive range in ragas such as and Megh.

Major collaborations and jugalbandis

Khan has frequently collaborated with family members and renowned musicians, including jugalbandis with his Sabir Khan on dual s, blending traditional Hindustani elements with familial synergy. Notable performances include their joint rendition of a dhun in and a in Raag Maru Bihag at the Saptak Annual Music Festival in 2015. He has also performed alongside luminaries such as Pt. , Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Dutch percussionist Heiko Dijker, incorporating fusion elements while preserving classical ragas like Puriya . In 2022, Khan shared the stage with Asin Khan Langa, representing different traditions, at the Music Awards . His international collaborations extend to tours in the United States, , the United Arab Emirates, and , often featuring cross-cultural improvisations. Key festival appearances include his debut at the Darbar Festival in in 2008, a return in 2024 with player Jayanthi Kumaresh at venues like the , as well as performances at Savai Gandharva in , in , Shankar Lal Music Festival in , and the Royal Albert Hall. These events highlight his ability to bridge pure classical presentations with innovative jugalbandis, promoting the sarangi's versatility.

Recordings and contributions to repertoire

Khan's recording career encompasses classical albums, fusion projects, and extensive work in Bollywood soundtracks. He has contributed sarangi performances to over 500 films, including prominent tracks in Mohabbatein (2000), (2002), Rockstar (2011), and Dangal (2016), as well as Namaste London, Goal, Faltu, Mausam, Guzaarish, , Kyunki, and Red. These contributions have popularized the in contemporary Indian cinema, often emulating vocal nuances in emotional sequences. In classical and fusion recordings, Khan earned a Grammy Award in 2009 for his work on Global Drum Project, collaborating with Zakir Hussain and other percussionists to explore rhythmic interactions with the instrument's melodic expressiveness. He released Saurangi 100 Colours (2014) with Sabir Khan, featuring two extended tracks that showcase in traditional ragas over 53 minutes. Other recordings include live performances captured at festivals, such as at Idea Jalsa 2015, emphasizing the 's soulful . Khan's discography preserves the Sikar gharana's legacy through intricate improvisations and bowing techniques, influencing younger instrumentalists. His work in both studio albums and film scores demonstrates the sarangi's adaptability, from pure khayal accompaniments to fusion explorations, ensuring its relevance in modern Hindustani music as of 2025.

Personal life and legacy

Dilshad Khan hails from a , representing the tenth generation of players and vocalists from the . Little is publicly known about his personal life, including details on or beyond his musical lineage. His legacy continues through performances and teachings that preserve the tradition, as recognized by awards such as the Aga Khan Music Award in 2022.
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