Ustad Alauddin Khan (1862–1972)—the celebrated court musician of the Maharaja of Maihar—is regarded as one of the most significant figures in Indian classical music.
Alauddin Khan was born in a village of present-day Bangladesh; his path to music was no easy one. He left home as a boy to pursue a life of music, and travelled around India in search of musicians to study with.
Court Musician of Maihar
Eventually, he settled in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh and was appointed as the court musician by Maharaja Brijnath Singh. It was in Maihar that Alauddin Khan made great contributions by developing the Maihar gharana of Hindustani classical music.
The Maihar Band
He formed an orchestra of orphans to teach them instruments and to mentor various musicians, called the Maihar Band, which continues to this day.
Yet perhaps his most lasting contribution is through his students. Ustad Alauddin Khan trained some of the most renowned musicians in the 20th century, including his son, Ali Akbar Khan, his daughter, Annapurna Devi, Ravi Shankar, and Nikhil Banerjee.
It is through these musicians that Alauddin Khan's teachings shone through and travelled the world, influencing how Indian classical music is understood across cultures.
Even with this notoriety, Alauddin Khan lived with great humility and maintained his dedication to music until the moment he passed.
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