b. November 3, 1918, Lahore, Punjab, India (then Pakistan)

EDUCATION

Sangeet Praveen (Master of Music), Prayag Sangeet Samiti Music University, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, 1963.

Sangeet Visharad (Bachelor of Music); distinguished by placing first in the examinations, and achieving record score on the theory paper.

After completing High School, I gave up formal studies and devoted myself entirely to the study of Hindustani classical music with well known Ustads. For over twenty years I was one of the chief disciples of the late Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan Sahib of the Kirana school of music, who, along with the late Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, was mainly responsible for the revival of the khayal at the turn of the century, and for the establishment of the Kirana style of Hindustani vocal music. During this twenty years I lived with my Ustad continuously, and occupied myself exclusively with the pursuit of music. My co-pupils were such outstanding musicians as Gangubhai Hangal, Hirabai Barodekar, Suresh Babu Mane, and Roshanara Begum.

SPECIALIZATION

The traditional Khayal, and exposition and interpretation of raga, especially the more profound ragas in slow tempo and in depth.

Also performs and instructs in Dhrupad, Hori, Dhamar, Dadra, Thumri, Ghazal, and Tappa.