Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan

History of Rampur - Sahaswan Gharana

Rampur - Sahaswan Gharana is one of the oldest and renowned Hindustani Classical Musical lineages of India, originated in the North-Uttar Pradesh towns of Rampur and Sahaswan, which owes its allegiance to the tradition of Miyaan Tansen – Court Musician and Vocalist of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The founder of the Gharana, late Ustad Inayat Hussain Khan was the son of late Ustad Mehboob Khan; a Chief Khayal Vocalist and Veena player of the Rampur court.

Rampur, Uttar Pradesh was a significant centre of North-Indian classical music from the reign of its fifth Nawab, Nawab Yusef Ali Khan Bahadur, and Sahaswan, a small village in the Budaun district of the same state (U.P.) is where most of Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana’s doyens and exponents were born.

The “gayaki” of Rampur - Sahaswan Gharana is closely related to the Gwalior Gharana, which features slow/medium/fast paced tempos, a full-throated throw of voice and intricate rhythmic play. The Gharana style is also known for the diversity and intricacy of the Taans (high speed elaborations), as well as Tarana singing.

Late Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan Sahab

Late Ustad Ishtiaq Hussain Khan Sahab

Biography of

Late Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan Sahab

Late Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan, an eminent vocalist and one of the pioneers of Hindustani Classical Music, was the son of Late Padma Bhushan Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan (the first recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award). He belonged to the illustrious Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, which owes its allegiance to the tradition of Miyaan Tansen.

Born on the 15th of August, 1936 in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan was initiated into the noble lineage tradition and art at a tender age by his father, one of the doyens of the gharana, late Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan, with a rigorous training for well over two decades and having performed on vocal support. After the demise of his father in the year 1964, Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan continued his training under the tutelage of his legendary elder brother, late Ustad Ishtiaq Hussain Khan, who then further groomed him into excellence,

Ustad Ghulam Siraj Niazi

Born on the 2nd of July, 1969 in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), Ustad Ghulam Siraj Niazi belongs to the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, and is the grandson of Late Padma Bhushan Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan, who was the first recipient of the Padma Bhushan & Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the son of Late Ustad Ghulam Husain Khan, who himself was a legendary Hindustani Classical Vocalist.

Initiated into music from the age of nine years, Ustad Ghulam Siraj Niazi was groomed under the worthy guidance of his father, who passed all the major qualities of the Gharana to him in the typical traditional style of Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana.

Ustad Ghulam Siraj Niazi is skilled in ‘Khayal Gayaki’, which highlights the systematic Badhat of the Raaga and graceful Taans. Apart from Khayal Gayaki, he has an equal and full command over semi-classical and light vocals as well.