New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee has said eminent classical vocalist Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, who passed away recently at the age of 107, “left an indelible mark in the world of classical music and was known for his deep resonant voice, ability to retain the purity of a Raag and innumerable compositions which he created over the decades under the pseudonym ‘Rasan Piya’.”
In a message to his daughter Ms. Pammi Khan, the President said, “Eminent vocalist Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, an exponent of the Gwalior gharana, was India’s oldest performing musician. He was awarded numerous awards, including Padma Bhushan in 2013 for his services to Indian classical music. He continued to enthral music lovers across the country till his demise with his marvellous stamina and unparalleled talent. In his death, the nation has lost a doyen of Indian classical music.
Condoling his death, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet, “Saddened at the passing away of veteran vocalist Padma Bhushan Abdul Rashid Khan. India has lost a great gem in the world of music”.
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The Ustad passed away at a private hospital here late last week following old-age related ailments, family members said. He fell sick in the morning and was rushed to a hospital where he took his last breath.
A recipient of Padma Bhushan in 2013 and Sangeet Natak Akademi award, he was a resident guru at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata for the past 20 years.
Despite movement restrictions and age-related illness, he used to appear for public performances till recently.
One of his students said that he took a class with his pupils even one day before his death.
Khan was born in a family of musicians tracing back to Behram Khan, who was a singer of traditional Gwalior gharanagayaki. His father’s elder brother Bade Yusuf Khan and his father initially trained him. His father Chhote Yusuf Khan was his guru. This was followed with extensive training from his family elders, like Chand Khan, Barkhudar Khan, Mahtab Khan who had imbibed the Gwalior Gayaki. He further developed this style suiting his own artistic sensitivity.
Khan’s traditional compositions have been recorded by the BBC and Iraq Radio. Organizations like Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academi, Lucknow and ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata have recorded and preserved many compositions. During the past several decades, he had been a regular performer on Akashvani and Doordarshan Lucknow. Khan participated in many national and regional conferences like Sadarang Conference, Godrej Conference, Lucknow Mahotsav, Dover Lance Conference, ITC Sangeet Sammelan, Prayag Sangeet Samiti Sangeet Sammelan all over India and had been felicitated by critics, fellow artists and many reputed recognized institutions like Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy (1981), Banaras Hindu University (1993), Eastern Zone cultural center and Press club Kolkata.
Khan composed several compositions and was also a prolific writer and poet under the pseudonym ‘Rasan Piya’. Many compositions that he sung were his own creations. He trained numerous students in his lifetime and became regarded as a “guru” at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata.
