Rais Khan

Ustad Rais Khan (born 25 December 1939) is a legendary sitarist born in Indore, India.^[1] In the different lines of "gayaki ang" (where the sitar plays the material of singers more than those of instrumentalists) Ustad Rais Khansaheb is the torchbearer of the Mewat or Mewati Gharana (lineage), which is connected to Indore and the "beenkar baj gayaki ang" (singing style combined with rudra vina approaches) carried out by Ustad Rais Khan's father Ustad Mohammad Khan, one of the greatest rudra vina (been) players and a great sitarist himself. This lineage goes back to the court musicians of the Mughal Emperors. Amongst the Khayal and dhrupad doyens, Rais Khan's gharana is a lineage containing the masters Haddu Khan, Hassu Khan, Bande Ali Khan, Nathan Khan, Babu Khan, Wazir Khan, Waheed Khan, Murad Khan, Latif Khan, Majid Khan, Nazeer Khan, Amanat Khan and Rajab Ali Khan of Devas, Madhya Pradesh. ^[2]

From maternal side, Ustad Rais Khan is decendent of great sitarists of Etawah Gharana. Ustad Rais Khan's mother was the elder sister of Sitar legend Ustad Vilayat Khan.^[3]. Like wise Vilayat Khan had influence of his brother-in-law Mohammad Khan (Rais Khan's father) in his earlier phase of career, Rais khan has also been influenced by his maternal uncle's style. The Sitar he plays is 'Gandhar-Pancham' Sitar - which was standardized and designed by Ustad Vilayat Khan only.

Ustad Rais Khan was one of the youngest musicians ever to have earned the title of "Ustad"^{[citation needed]} from authorized committees at a time when the title used to be "bestowed" and not merely "taken up" by one's own will.

As Rais Khan's mother was a stellar singer and his father was a master beenkar, and because of his lineage going back to Hassu Khan and Haddu Khan, a unique combination of Khayal (the most popular classical vocal style), Dhrupad (the older and most orthodox classical form) and thumri (lyrical semi-classical form)- angs (approaches) developed in Ustad Rais Khan's playing.

He gave his first public concert at Sunderbai Hall in presence of the Sir Maharaja Singh (Governor)^{[citation needed]}. In 1955, he was selected from a huge list of competitors from all over the continent of India to represent the Indian nation at the International Youth Festival in Warsaw, where Ustad Rais Khan carried off the first prize and the gold medal for his virtuosity.^{[citation needed]}

He is also a accomplished vocalist and is the first one to record the geet Ghungroo toot gaye for BBC London in 1978.^{[citation needed]}

Rais Khan has been touring extensively throughout the world.

His dynamic personality and genius have made him one of the most outstanding artists of our time. The fact that he is an accomplished vocalist accounts for much of his popularity. At the end of his recitals he often sings and demonstrates compositions, which thrills his listeners.

Khan is a champion badminton player, a swimming champion, expert in car racing. He obtained a private pilot’s license as well.

Ustad Rais Khan's stellar recordings include the out-of-print "Raga Jhinjhoti, Todi and Lok-priya dhun." For sometime, Khansaheb had stopped playing concerts of classical music. He returned in the 1980s and was invited by Ustad Ali Akbar Khan to perform in California.

His son Farhan is the amongst the new generation of the torchbearers of the Mewati gharana, and sometimes performs with him.^[4]

References

^ "`Today, music is about cloning'". The Hindu. October 29, 2005. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
^ Amit Adiecha - "History of Sitar," and the CD "Melodious Sitar of Rais Khan" - Chhanda Dhara 1993
^ PARELES, Jon. "Vilayat Khan, 76, Musician Who Redefined Sitar Playing". The New York Times. March 15, 2004. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
^ Hyatt, Ishrat (March 30, 2009). "A superb recital by sitar maestro". The News International (Pakistan). Retrieved 2009-11-15.

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[1] "`Today, music is about cloning'". The Hindu. October 29, 2005. Retrieved 2009-11-15.

[2] Amit Adiecha - "History of Sitar," and the CD "Melodious Sitar of Rais Khan" - Chhanda Dhara 1993

[3] PARELES, Jon. "Vilayat Khan, 76, Musician Who Redefined Sitar Playing". The New York Times. March 15, 2004. Retrieved 2009-11-15.

[4] Hyatt, Ishrat (March 30, 2009). "A superb recital by sitar maestro". The News International (Pakistan). Retrieved 2009-11-15.

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