Faiyaz Khan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 8 February 1886 |
| Died | 5 November 1950(1950-11-05) (aged 69–70) |
| Other names | Aftab-e-Mausiqi (the Sun of Music) |
| Occupation | Vocalist |
| Years active | 1924 – 1950 |
| Spouse(s) | His wife died soon after their marriage. He never remarried and died childless. |
Ustad Faiyaz Khan (8 February 1886 – 5 November 1950) was an Indian classical vocalist, an exponent of theAgra gharana ofHindustani classical music.[1][2] Also Known as Aftab-E-Mausiqi meaning the Sun or sunshine of music.
According to SwarGanga Music Foundation website, "By the time he died atBaroda, he had earned the reputation of being one of the greatest and most influential vocalists of the century."[3]
Born atSikandara in theNorth-Western Provinces on 8 February 1886, he was the son of Safdar Hussain, who died four months before his birth. He was brought up by his maternal grandfather, Ghulam Abbas (1825-1934), who taught him music up to the age of 25.[2][1][4] He was also a student of Ustad Mehboob Khan "Daraspiya", his father-in-law, Natyan Khan and his uncle Fida Hussain Khan. According to an article on a music website titled, 'Great Masters of Hindustani Music', "Faiyaz Khan's musical lineage goes back toTansen (1493 – 1589) himself. His family is traced back to Alakhdas, Malukdas and then to Haji Sujan Khan (son of Alakhdas who became a Muslim)."[2]
He was remembered asMehfil Ka Badshah by those who lived during his time and went to his live concerts.[1] Considered a neo-classicist by some scholars of Indian classical music, Faiyaz Khan served for a long time as the court musician ofSayajirao Gaekwad III, the Maharaja ofBaroda, where he was awarded the "Gyan Ratna" (Gem of Knowledge). TheMaharaja ofMysore awarded him the title"Aftaab-e-Mausiqi" (the Sun of Music) in 1908.[4][2] Faiyaz Khan's specialities weredhrupad andkhyal, but he was also capable of singingthumri andghazal. According to the musicologistAshok Ranade, "There was no chink in his armour".[3][5]
Faiyaz Khan also composed severalbandishes using the pen-name 'Prem Piya'.[3][1] His most popular thumri wasBaaju band khul khul jaye.[2]
"He was a frequent performer in the musical conferences and circles ofLucknow,Allahabad,Calcutta,Gwalior,Bombay andMysore and in concerts organized by provincial princes."[3] These princes often vied with one another to have the Ustad perform in their respective courts. The rulers of Baroda held him in high esteem and he was offered the seat to the right of the Maharaja of Baroda during the official functions of the royal court in 1912.[1]
He also performed at Jorasanko Thakurbari, the residential abode ofRabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), who was an admirer of the Ustad. It is known that he had held a musical session at Jorasanko a few years before the passing away of Tagore. Other well-known admirers include tabla maestros such asAhmed Jan Thirakwa,Amir Khan,Ali Akbar Khan,Vilayat Khan andRavi Shankar. Faiyaz Khan was a dignified performer, who often wore a silk sherwani with rows of medals awarded to him in public. Then later, he would perform flanked by sarangi and tabla players during his live concerts.[1]
Affected by a bout of typhoid in 1945 followed by tuberculosis restricted Faiyaz Khan to lower his pitch to B and B Flat, though in his prime, he always sang in C Sharp and C. The available recordings of the Ustad are almost entirely from his later years."[3]
Ustad Faiyaz Khan died of tuberculosis on 5 November 1950 atBaroda,Gujarat in India.[1] Faiyaz Khan's tomb, situated inVadodara, Gujarat was attacked during the2002 Gujarat riots. Extensive damage was inflicted on the structure.[6]
Some of Faiyaz Khan's best-known students were Dipali Nag,K. L. Saigal[1] Dilip Chand Bedi, Sohan Singh,Asad Ali Khan (later migrated to Pakistan),Dhruvatara Joshi, Shrikrishna Ratanjankar andJnanendra Prasad Goswamy, apart from in-house disciples such asKhadim Hussain Khan,Vilayat Hussain Khan, Latafat Hussain Khan, Ata Hussain Khan andSharafat Hussain Khan. Faiyaz Khan himself was an admirer ofAbdul Karim Khan ofKirana gharana.S. N. Ratanjankar was perhaps the last of his pupils who excelled both as a teacher and as a performer. He blended the styles of his many gurus giving the Agra gayaki a new direction. He set many new trends in classical music.[1]
| Release No. | Raga |
|---|---|
| N 36050 (His Master's Voice) | Ramkali (Alap & Khayal) |
| H 1331 (Hindusthan Records) | Purvi & Chhaya |
| HH 1 (Hindusthan Records) | Puriya & Jaijaivanti |
| H 793 (Hindusthan Records) | Jaunpuri & Kafi |
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