Mazhar Ali Khan (singer)

Ustad
Mazhar Ali Khan
Background information
Born(1958-11-16)16 November 1958
Mumbai, India
Died6 September 2021(2021-09-06) (aged 62)
New Delhi, India
GenresHindustani classical music
Occupationvocalist
InstrumentVocals
LabelWeston Company of India
AwardsThe Best Classic Vocalist of Punjab (1995)
The Best Classic Performer (2005)

Ustad Mazhar Ali Khan (16 November 1958 – 6 September 2021) was a Hindustani classical music vocalist of the Kasur Patiala Gharana. He received various accolades from the Government of India, including the title of the best classical vocalist of Punjab (1995) and the best classic performers (2005). Alongside his younger brother, Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan, he was a top-grade artist at Doordarshan and All India Radio. They have represented India internationally through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), performing in numerous countries across Europe, North America, Russia, Germany, and Pakistan, and have appeared at major festivals and cultural events, including Sabrang Utsav, in India and abroad. The duo founded the Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Music Foundation of India to promote Indian classical music and cultural heritage.

Early life and family

Mazhar Ali Khan was born on 16 November 1958 in New Delhi into the Kasur–Patiala gharana.[1][2]

He was the son of Karamat Ali Khan, a grandson of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, and the elder brother of Jawaad Ali Khan.[3][4][5][6][7]

The initial musical guidance and environment for Khan came from their grandfather Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, their granduncle Barkat Ali Khan, and their father Karamat Ali Khan, all of whom played a formative role in nurturing their interest in Hindustani classical music.[8]

Later he received his formal training under his uncle and guru, Munawar Ali Khan, the second son of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. He was trained in the Chamukhia style of the Patiala gharana.[1][2]

Style

He was noted for his command over complex tān patterns, precise control of swar and laya, and a powerful, robust vocal approach characteristic of the Patiala–Kasur gharana tradition.

Career

Khan along with his brother was top grade artist at Doordarshan and the All India Radio. Their audio recording "Yād-e-Sabrang" featuring thumris and dadras dedicated to Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, was released by the Weston Company of India. The recording has received notable demand among listeners in India, Pakistan, and Canada.[9][10][11][8]

He had performed along with his brother Jawaad Ali Khan at various festivals and cultural events including the Sabrang Utsav.[1][12][13][14][15]

They represented India through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in numerous countries, including Canada, Europe, Germany, Russia, Pakistan, and many more countries worldwide.[8][16][17]

Recorded works

  • "Peelu" – featuring Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan
  • "Hameer" – featuring Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan
  • "Des" – featuring Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan
  • "Yād-e-Sabrang" – featuring Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan
  • "Shahana" – featuring Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan
  • "Durga" – featuring Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan

Philanthropy

Ustad Mazhar Ali Khan and Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan founded the Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Music Foundation of India with the objective of promoting Indian classical music and cultural heritage, as well as supporting humanitarian initiatives.[8]

Awards

  • In 1995, Awarded for the best classic vocalist of Punjab, by Government of Punjab, India
  • In 2005, Awarded as the best classic performers, by Delhi Government
  • Awarded by Bade Ghulam Ali khan Music Academy of Toronto (Canada)
  • Lahore (Pakistan) Awarded for the best classic performer.

References

  1. ^ a b c Sharma, Manorma (2006). Tradition of Hindustani Music. pp. 124–126. ISBN 9788176489997.
  2. ^ a b "Carrying forward musical legacy". Hindustan Times. 8 April 2003. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  3. ^ Jyoti Nair (2 February 2018). "Bade Ghulam Ali Khan - Patriarch of the Patiala gharana". The Hindu newspaper. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  4. ^ BANERJEE, MEENA (27 April 2017). "Remembering the doyen". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  5. ^ Khan, Sadakat Aman (19 January 2022). Gharanas of Indian Music. Notion Press. p. 178. ISBN 979-8-88569-411-7.
  6. ^ Nair, Rajeev (2007). A Rasika's Journey Through Hindustani Music. Indialog Publications. ISBN 978-81-8443-007-3.
  7. ^ Mehrishi, Sumati (31 August 2012). "Titans of a time-tested tradition". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d neha (9 December 2015). "UstadMazhar Ali Khan &Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan". The Siasat Daily – Archive. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Hindustani Classical Maestros Mazhar Ali- Jawad Ali Khan". www.hindustaniclassical.com. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  10. ^ Khan, Amjad Ali (29 March 2017). Master on Masters. Random House India. ISBN 978-93-86495-00-6.
  11. ^ Educart (22 February 2025). Educart General Test CUET UG Entrance Exam Guidebook 2025 Section III (Theory + Mock Papers). Educart. ISBN 978-93-6890-037-5.
  12. ^ "44TH SABRANG UTSAV | India International Centre". iicdelhi.in. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  13. ^ Kanwal, Balbir Singh (24 November 2025). Music of the Panjab. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-6698-9254-0.
  14. ^ "Many splendoured gems". The Hindu. 13 September 2012. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  15. ^ "Custodians of heritage". The Hindu. 27 October 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  16. ^ "Ustad Mazhar Ali & Ustad Jawaad Ali: People learn classical music — but lack career avenues". The Times of India. 17 September 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  17. ^ Afreen, Saima (17 December 2015). "Syfiyana Melodies". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
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