Strategy/Wikimedia movement/2017/Topics/Ustad Ashique Ali Khan

USTAD ASHIQUE ALI KHAN, the renowned sarangi maestro , was born on 28th October 1948 in Kairana , a small hamlet along the banks of Yamuna in Muzaffar Nagar district, in a family of sarangi exponents. The Ustad, a devoted , conscientious, nationally-recognized philosoper - musician , belonged to the Kairana Gharana

Ustad Ashique Ali Khan was keenly interested in music from his childhood . At the age of 10 , he attained the first position in vocal music and in playing the harmonium , in a contest organised by prayag sangeet samiti. As his entire family was primarily devoted to the sarangi, the Ustad was also drawn towards this rare musical instrument. He began learning the sarangi at the age of 22. He received his sarangi training from his grandfather Ustad Allah Rakkha khan , later from his father Ustad Mehfooz Ahmed Khan who was also great sarangi maestro.

He moved to Jabalpur to work in 'kairfz' , a music institution . After some time, he joined Akashvani Raipur in the year 1976 he got transfered to Agra 1987. In the days that followed , he gave solo performances in saveral music festivals , including Akashvani's national music concerts and conferences. In 1993 , at Agra, his exemplary rendition of lahra while playing in accompaniments to Ustad Zakir Hussain brought him the tabla maestro's untrammeled praise. "It is my great fortune that a supremely accomplished sarangi artiste like Ustad Ashique Ali Khan is accompanying me today .I'm like a child compared to him .I am hoping that khan sahib will guide ne and help me play to everybody's satisfaction, " said Zakir Hussain. After the concert, Zakir Hussain went and kissed the fingers of the sarangi virtuous.

Ustad Ashique Ali Khan was honoured with the title of 'Sangeet Shilpi by the Sangeet kala Kendra . Transferred to Delhi, he was given a 'selection grade' due to his seniority.