Alla Rakha

Alla Rakha

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Category: Music

Alla Rakha Profile

  • Name:
  • Alla Rakha
  • Other Name:
  • Qureshi Alla Rakha Khan
  • Born:
  • April 29, 1919
  • Died:
  • February 3, 2000
  • Born / Home Town:
  • Jammu
  • Spouse:
  • Bavi Begum

Alla Rakha Biography

Qureshi Alla Rakha Khan, popularly known as Alla Rakha was an accomplished tabla artist who regularly accompanied Ravi Shankar in many concerts. Famous tabla artist Zakir Hussain is his son and his favourite disciple too. Khan was awarded the Padma Shri in 1977and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1982 for his contributions to Indian music. Famous American percussionists in Rock n' Roll, such as the Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart has admired his talent a lot and tried to learn his techniques. Alla Rakha Khan was one of the leading tabla artists post-independence period who popularized this music instrument globally. He also bridged the gap between Carnatic music and Hindustani music by playing with artists belonging to both these categories.

 

Alla Rakha was born in Paghwal, Jammu in 1919. He was attracted to tabla at the age of 12. It was during his stay with his uncle in Gurdaspur. He was so fascinated to this music instrument that he ran away from home to find a career in this music instrument. He didn’t get enough appreciation from his family. He became a disciple of Mian Kader Baksh of the Punjab gharana. Later he learnt voice and Raag Vidya under Ashiq Ali Khan of the Patiala gharana. He first got married to Bavi Begum and had three sons and two daughters of whom, Zakir Hussain and Taufiq Qureshi became famous tabla artists later. He married twice and Rohi Bano, a popular TV actress in 1980s was born from the second marriage.

 

His musical journey began in Lahore where he started as an accompanist. During 1940’s he worked at All India radio as an artist. He has played with many leading vocalists like Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Allauddin Khan, Vilayat Khan, Vasant Rai, Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar. He died on 3 February 2000 in Mumbai aged 80.

Published: N/A

Updated: February 11, 2014

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