Ustad Amir Khan (1912-1974)

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Profile

As an innovative singer Ustad Amir Khan has no equals in the later part of 20th century. As a performing artist with his own unique style and technique he achieved unparalleled success and adulation of critics and connoisseurs.

Born at Indore in 1912 to a family of musicians, he was trained in Sarangi by his father Shamir Khan and later under Ustad Rajab Ali Khan of the Bhendibazar Gharana in vocals.

He was also influenced by Kirana masters Ustad Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahim Khan, especially latter's treatment of raga in slow tempo. Later Amir Khan evolved his own style of singing very slow or ati vilambit Khayal which he developed in a most leisurely mood with deep serenity and contemplativeness for which he was to become most famous. It has now come to be regarded as the Indore Gharana.

His technique and style has greatly influenced many artists including Pt Nikhil Bannerjee, the entire Imdadkhani School of Sitar headed by Ustad Vilayat Khan apart from many other Khayal vocalists including the young master Ustad Rashid Khan.

He was also a very learned man, an expert in Sanskrit and Persian. He composed many bandishes from an early age.

Unfortunately his experimentations came to a premature end when he died in a car accident on 13th February 1974.

Discography

In alphabetical order of the title

Title	Nature	Music / recording	Contents	Label	Other Artists	Year
A Bouquet of Rare Live Concert Recordings Vol 1	Hindustani Vocal		Bageshri Kanada -Gore Gore Mukh Par, Abhogi Kanada Laaj Rakh Lijo Mori	EMI India
Ananya	Hindustani Vocal		Navras Nav-Ratna-The Great Masters / Ragas: Yaman, Hamsadhwani, Priya, Abhogi. 2 cd set	Navras	Harmonium: Gyan Prakash Ghosh Tabla: Gobinda Bose
Classical Heritage of India	Hindustani Vocal		Nand, Darbari, Bahar	Multitone Prestige
Khayal	Hindustani Vocal		Lalit: Kahan Jaage Raat, Jogia More Ghar Aaye; Hamsadhwani: Jai Maate Vilumbh Taj De; Megh: Barkha Ritu Aayee	EMI India	Afaque Hussain, Tabla; Jnan Prakash Ghosh, Harmonium
Rare Treat - Amir Khan	Hindustani Vocal		Chandani Kedar, Ye Ritu Dhan Dhan Tero Bhaag, Vilambit Khayal in Jhoomra Taal	EMI India
Taskeen	Hindustani Vocal		Vol 1: Komal Rhishab Asavari, Jog ; Vol 2 : Todi, Megh. Live in Bombay.	Ninaad
The Legend Lives On	Hindustani Vocal		Nand Anandi Kalyan, Bahar, Darbari Kannada	OMI Music
Vocal	Hindustani Vocal		Kafi Kannada, Suha Sughrai, Darbari Kannada, Shuddh Kalyan, Bihag. 2 CD Set.	Biswas
Vocal	Hindustani Vocal Collection		Amir Khan: Rag Untitled. Gangubai Hangal: Ahir Bhairav-- Rasiya Mhara Amala, Marwa-- Ab Mil Aaye, Dir Dir Dir Ranom	Inreco Pyramid	Gangubai Hangal, vocal; Sheshgiri Hangal, tabla; Krishna Hangal, vocal support; Appa Jalgaonkar, harmonium