While there is no dearth of names in Hindustani Classical Music that have dominated the annals of musical history, there were some extraordinary virtuosos who made waves in their time, but whose names today have slipped from public memory. This new feature is an attempt to revive that kind of vintage music.

Zamiruddin Khan

Ustad Zamiruddin Khan, thumri singer, was the son of Moshid Khan Ambalawale, a famous dhrupad artist. Towards the close of the 19th century, Moshid Khan, who was originally from Ambala, settled in Kolkata, where Jamiruddin was born.

Zamiruddin got his first music lessons from his father. After his father`s death, Zamiruddin took lessons in khayal from Khalifa Badal Khan, and in thumri from Gauharjan. Afterwards, he gained greater expertise in thumri from Moujuddin, the celebrated thumri singer. He continued Moujuddin`s tradition after the latter`s death and became known as `the king of thumri`. Zamiruddin was associated with the Gramophone Company as chief trainer. He played an important role in the development of Bengali songs. Among his disciples were Abbasuddin Ahmed, Indubala, Kamala Jharia and his nephew, Qadir Zamiri.

Ustad Zamiruddin Khan died on 26 th November, 1939.