Faiyaz Khan Biography 
Faiyaz Khan was an exponent of the Agra Gharana, born at Sikandara near Agra in 1886. Very often his birth year is referred to as 1888 or 1889. He has recorded a few records on the ragas - Jaunpuri & Kafi - H 793, Puriya & Jaijaivanti - HH 1, Purvi & Chhaya - H 1331 and Ramkali (Alap & Khayal) - N 36050. Very often Faiyaz Khan is named as a generous and broadminded person, who explodes quickly and cools more faster than the outburst as well. He has earned the reputation of being one of the greatest and most influential Indian vocalists of the 20th century. Dhrupad and khyal were his favourites; he was proficient in thumri and ghazal also.
His father, Shabr Hussain died three months before his birth. He was brought up by his maternal grandfather, Ghulam Abbas from whom Faiyas took music lessons up to 25 years. He also learnt Hindustani music from Ustad Mehboob Khan "Daraspiya", his father-in-law. Later he served as the court musician of Sir Sayaji Rao Gaekwad, the Maharaja of Baroda. Maharaja of Mysore awarded him the title "Aftab-e-Mousiqui". He was a regular performer of the musical circles of Lucknow, Allahabad, Calcutta, Gwalior, Bombay and Mysore. He always enjoyed an elite position in Baroda kingdom. He was offered the seat to the right of the Maharaja of Baroda during the official functions. Rabindranath Tagore was also an admirer of Khan and he has also performed at his residence at Jorasanko Thakurbari. Ali Akbar Khan, Vilayat Khan and Pandit Ravi Shankar too were his admirers.
Dilip Chand Bedi, Sohan Singh, Asad Ali Khan and Shrikrishna Ratanjankar were his noted disciples. In 1945, he was affected by typhoid which prompted him to reduce his pitch. The available recordings of the Ustad are mostly from his later years.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 25, 2014
