Music maestro Ustad Alauddin Khan's 53rd death anniv today

Today (September 6) marks the 53rd death anniversary of Ustad Alauddin Khan, the world-renowned musician, sitar virtuoso, and founder of the Maihar Gharana.

Born on October 8, 1862, in Shibpur village of Brahmanbaria, he passed away in Maihar, India, in 1972.

Ustad Alauddin Khan, son of the celebrated sitar player Sadu Khan, showed a passion for music from an early age. He trained under prominent gurus, including Ustad Nulo Gopal and Ustad Wazir Khan, mastering instruments such as the sarod, violin, tabla, pakhawaz, sanai, and clarinet.

His innovative musical style, the Alauddin Gharana, earned him international recognition.

He began his career as a court musician in Maihar and performed across Europe, America, Asia, and Africa in the 1930s. Some of the ragas and raginis he created include Hemanto, Probhatkeli, Hembehag, Bosontobehag, Sheikhbahar, and Prabhati.

In recognition of his contribution to music, he received the Khan Saheb Award from the British Government, honourary doctorates from Delhi University, Dhaka University, and Visva-Bharati University, and India’s prestigious Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awards.

Despite his fame, Ustad Alauddin Khan remained humble, contributing to his community by building a pond and a mosque in his native village.

Today, music lovers across the world pay tribute to his enduring legacy, celebrating his pivotal role in elevating Indian classical music to global acclaim.