– Shabana Javed
Kolkata, Jan. 10: Music maestro Rashid Khan died here Tuesday at the age of 55 following his long battle with cancer. He had been in hospital since November 22. Rashed Khan was an Indian classical musician in the Hindustani tradition. He belonged to Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur-Sahaswan gharana, and was the great-grandson of gharana founder Inayat Hussain Khan.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered her condolences and announced that Ustad Rashid Khan would receive a gun salute as part of his final rites today. She said Khan was one of the greatest exponents of Indian classical music of our times and added that the musician made people proud by making Bengal his home.
“He and Soma, his wife, and son Armaan, and the whole family, were close to us and allowed us to be on their side in the maestro’s last journey in life,” said the CM.
He was honoured with Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award of the country. The West Bengal government also honoured Ustad Rashid Khan with Banga Bhushan and Sangeet Mahasamman.
Born in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh, Rashid Khan received his initial training from his maternal grand-uncle, Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan (1909–1993). He gave his first concert at age eleven. In April 1980, when Nissar Hussain Khan moved to Kolkata, Rashid Khan came to the city with his grandfather. Rashid Khan also joined the ITC Sangeet Research Academy at the age of 14.
His significant contributions to Indian classical music earned him widespread recognition. Participating in esteemed music festivals and concerts globally cemented his stature as a maestro of Hindustani classical music.
Ustad Rashid Khan’s body was placed at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata for people to pay their last respects. Funeral took place at Tollygunge Burial Ground here today.
