BABA ALLA UD DIN KHAN SAHIB ( 1881-1972 )

                                                                               

I am highly touched by the musical genius of late BABA ALLA UD DIN KHAN SAHIB ( 1881-1972 ) and all other members of what was known as MAIHAR BAND . 

Baba was the court musician of Brijnath Singh Maharaja of Maihar . The orchestra known as Maihar Band comprised of stalwarts like sarod Player Ali Akber khan ( Baba’s son ) , Sitar players Nikhil Banerjee and Ravi Shanker , Sur-Bahaar( Bass Sitar ) player Annapurna Devi ( Baba ‘s daughter ), Violin player Robin Ghosh and the unforgettable Bansuri ( Bamboo Flute) player Panna lal Ghosh . Even Hari prasasd Chaurasia has been a student of Baba’s daughter Annapurna Devi . Baba could play any instrument with ease and perfection . He played with both hands and could use his feet as well to hold instruments .

 Baba created more than 60 original Ragas for the Hindustani classical music.His Manjh Khamaj is perhaps the best known RAGA created by Maihar Gharaana . To this day I consider him as the tallest music composer and instrumentalist of the subcontinent. His students from the Maihar Band were a class apart and became masters in their respective fields..Pandit Jawahar lal Nehru was a great fan Baba and had personally visited Baba on more than three occasions . Pandit ji called him “ A Musical Marvel ” .Dr Radha krishnan too had highest regard and reverence for BABA .Baba was compassionate human being and lived like a Fakir to train his student and contribute to the world of Hindustani instrumental music . In thought and deeds , he was far above the narrow man made divisions. He was also quite often seen at Kaali Temples of Bengal . He practiced a way of life life that was a beautiful fusion of the best of both Hinduism and Islam. Though an ardent follower of Rama Krishna , he also undertook total fasting during the holy month of RAMADAAN .

One can also say that Baba infused a new life in Hindustani music instruments like sitar , sarod , Sur- Bahaar , Bansuri , Been Baaj , Taanpura , Shehnai,Tabla , Pakhawaj , Dotaara and even Violin which Baba played with ease .I am not sure whether all his recordings have been preserved by AIR for the posterity . I am not sure whether the young generation is aware about Baba’s immense contribution to Indian Classical Music .

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