Veteran classical singer Ustad Rashid Khan passes away in Kolkata
Renowned music maestro was battling with prostate cancer for years
Veteran classical singer Ustad Rashid Khan passed away in Kolkata aged 55.
He was laid to rest on Wednesday with full state honours.
As a part of the singer’s final rites, he received a gun salute in Kolkata.
Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan, who was undergoing treatment at a Kolkata-based hospital for prostate cancer, passed away on Jan 9 afternoon, officials said.
“We tried our best but failed. He passed away at around 3:45 PM,” said an official from the Kolkata-based private hospital.
The classical singer is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
Music maestro Rashid Khan has been considered as the possible last living legend of Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana.
Born in Uttar Pradesh’s Budaun in India, Rashid Khan was a great-grandson of Ustad Inayat Hussain Khan, the founder of the Rampur Sehaswan gharana.
He emerged as a star of classical music after the first concert he performed at the age of 7. That was followed by a performance at an ITC concert in Delhi in 1978.
In April 1980, at just 14 years old, Rashid Khan joined the ITC Sangeet Research Academy (SRA) in Calcutta when his guru Nissar Hussain Khan transitioned there.
Rashid Khan has also given beautiful songs to Bollywood such as Jab We Met’s “Aaoge Jab Tum Saajna”, My Name is Khan’s “Allah Hi Rahem”, Mausam’s “Poore se Zara Sa” and many more.
“This is a great loss for the entire country and the entire music fraternity. I am in a lot of pain as I still can’t believe that Rashid Khan is no more,” expressed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her visit to the hospital.
Tributes and condolences continue to pour in for Ustad Rashid Khan, who has been recognised as the 31st generation of Sangeet Samrat Mian Tansen.
Pained by the demise of Ustad Rashid Khan Ji, a legendary figure in the world of Indian classical music. His unparalleled talent and dedication to music enriched our cultural world and inspired generations. His passing leaves a void that will be hard to fill. My heartfelt… pic.twitter.com/u8qvcbCSQ6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2024
Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Ustad Rashid Khan, one of the greatest exponents of Indian classical music of our times.
A hugely respected vocalist with unparalleled genius in creating music, he made us proud by settling here and making Bengal his home. He and Soma,…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 9, 2024
The Rekhta Foundation mourns the loss of Ustad Rashid Khan, a titan of classical music whose voice was an embodiment of depth and emotion. His departure has left a void in the world of music that can never be filled.
We were fortunate to have been graced by his presence at… pic.twitter.com/NIU7AUUUaU
— Rekhta (@Rekhta) January 9, 2024
Rest in Peace Music Maestro Ustad Rashid Khan ❤️🌻 pic.twitter.com/gY1fUnboKt
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) January 9, 2024
Ustaad Rashid Khan. A National Treasure. Attended his live concert in the Shanmukhananda auditorium just a few months ago & he was majestic & magical as always. On our playlists forever. May his soul rest in peace . Om Shanti. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/d2ivSzinxE
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) January 9, 2024
Can't go beyond this clip..
It's playing in a loop in the mind since morning..
He was one of those chosen ones who deserved a miracle to recover… #Pain 😢#UstadRashidKhan pic.twitter.com/IpnE9f2ZTw— Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) January 10, 2024
#AaogeJabTum pierces deep inside…
I always wondered why #UstadRashidKhan didn't do more playback. Maybe films could never do justice to his extraordinary classical voiceThe music maestro is gone & it hurts. RIP Ustad 🙏
Your voice, that आलाप will always echo in our hearts ❤️… pic.twitter.com/z0Hmz9tU41— Mimansa Shekhar (@mimansashekhar) January 9, 2024
