Ustad Shafi Ahmed Khan passes away : (1928-2009)

Erstwhile guru of ITC SRA, Ustad Shafi Ahmed Khan passed away on Monday, December 21, 2009, at 9.30 pm, at the age of 81. Born in 1928 in Atrauli, Shafi Ahmed Khan of the Agra gharana was the senior-most exponent of the Atrauli-Agra gharana. Initially trained by his illustrious Sufi father, Ejaz Hussain Khan, at an early age, he came under the tutelage of his uncle, Nanhe Khan at Mumbai, from the age of ten. He continued his training with Aftab-e-Mausiki, Faiyaz Khan and Ata Hussain Khan at Baroda. He returned to Mumbai in 1944 to soak in the musical and melodious influence of several other masters of the Agra gharana like Latafat Hussain Khan, Anwar Hussain Khan, Khadim Hussain Khan and Azmat Hussain Khan. In 1946, he moved to Kolkata to continue training under Ata Hussain Khan.

Shafi Ahmed Khan presented his first public recitals at the Shivpur Music Conference and the Tansen Music Conference. He later continued his music education under another uncle, Vilayat Hussain Khan, to further hone his skills.

Technical excellence and aesthetic appeal were the hallmarks of Shafi Ahmed Khan’s performances, revealing the depth of his understanding of music. They also demonstrated the consummate musical skills of this great musician. Besides singing common ragas, he did major work in reviving many forgotten ragas. An A-top grade artiste of All India Radio, he had been a performer for over 40 years.

Shafi Ahmed Khan was responsible for introducing the study of Hindustani Classical Music at the Aligarh Muslim University, which he joined in 1956. He remained there for more than three decades and went on to become Head of the Music Dept. He joined ITC SRA in 1996 and remained here, teaching numerous students till 2005. Ustadji is survived by his wife, four sons and five daughters.

ITC SRA offers its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.