Biography of Nasiruddin Khan

(1895 - 1936)

An outstanding Dhrupad singer of Dagar Gharana, Nasiruddin Khan was born in 1895. He had learnt Dhrupad Dhamar from his father Ustad Alla Bande Khan and was very much a carbon copy of his father in his singing.

Nasiruddin Khan had an excellent voice. He had an excellent command over wording. He was a good singer of Alaap and never tried to dominate Pakhawaj. He was honoured with the title 'Sangeet Ratna' in Banaras. He was also a good music teacher. He never taught Khayaal. Mushtaribai of Agra and Ahmad Khan of Delhi were among his disciples who learnt Dhrupad from him.

Nasiruddin Khan had a good knowledge of Sangeet Shastra. There were very few musicians who were better than him in integrating words, music and raga in singing. He used to sing Aalaap-Dhrupad-Dhamar in musical concerts while he sang Khayaal and Tappa in Mehafil. He was a stern disciplinarian. He died in 1936 at Indore.