Ustad Amir Khan

Ustad Amir Khan (August 15, 1912–February 13, 1974) is considered one of the most influential figures in Hindustani classical music and the founder of the Indore Gharana.

Amir Khan was born in a family of musicians in Indore, India. His father, Shahmir Khan, a sarangi and veena player of the Bhendibazaar gharana, served at the court of the Holkars of Indore. His grandfather was a singer in the court of Bahadurshah Zafar.

Ustad Amir Khan was initially trained in the sarangi by his father. However, seeing his interest in vocal music, his father gradually devoted more time to vocal training, focusing on the Merukhand technique. Exposed to various styles, Amir Khan’s musical training went on through his childhood.

He moved to Bombay in 1934, and there he gave a few concerts and cut about half a dozen 78-rpm records. Initially he was not well received. Khan Sahab lived for some time in Delhi and Calcutta, but after the partition of India he moved back to Bombay.

He is said to have favored a swara-oriented and alap-dominated style, and his layakari was generally subtle. His performances had an understated elegance, reverence, restrained passion and did not emphasize showmanship that both moved and awed listeners.

With his pen name, Sur Rang, he has left several compositions. Many stalwarts of Hindustani classical music are influenced by Ustad Amir Khan.