The grand three-day ITC Sangeet Sammelan held in November 2003 at Kolkata, celebrated 25 years of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy. In keeping with the sense of accomplishment that this Silver Jubilee Sammelan signified, a whole galaxy of stars were invited to perform at this creatively charged setting. The second day of this concert, witnessed the magical Rashid Khan casting a musical spell on his audience, reinforcing the keen sense of excitement and anticipation.

The immensely gifted Rashid Khan is one of the leading torch bearers of Hindustani classical vocal music. The sheer magic of his voice is known to jolt first time listeners into musical awareness! Though the young Rashid initially showed little or no interest in music, his tutelage under his illustrious grand uncle, Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan, changed the course of his life and made Rashid what he is today.

After his Ganda Bandhan ceremony when he was six years old, the pursuit of music and musical training became the way of his life. Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan, one the greatest maestros of the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana, intuitively perceived the latent potential of his grandson. The maestro decided to nurture Rashid’s musical sensitivity by imparting musical education to him in the traditional Guru Shishya Parampara– first in his home and thereafter at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, where he stayed for 21 years.

Rashid went on to become a Top Grade artiste for All India Radio and won accolades for all the aspects of his musical performance – voice, phrasing, virtuosity and sensitivity. Though a loyal and proud member of the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana, Rashid has always been prepared to learn and incorporate the best from other gharanas into his renditions. Many feel that it is this receptive attitude to music which lends a personal touch to his renditions of various ragas with just the right kind of improvisation. Above all, Rashid has, in abundant measure, that rare quality called Taseer – the indescribable ability to create a genuine impact on listeners.

Lovers and connoisseurs of music who had thronged the ITC-SRA lawns in great numbers, predictably surrendered to Rashid's irresistible spell.

By popular demand, we bring to you the  re-run of Rashid's performance of raga 'Bihag', with which he started off his performance. Supporting him on the tabla was Ananda Gopal Bandyopadhyay while Jyoti Goho accompanied him on the harmonium.