A concert of rare melodies

Enchanting evening

Delhiites recently had the privilege of attending an evening of soulful music with the torch bearer vocalist of Agra Gharana, maestro Ustad Ghulam Hasnain Khan aka Raja Miyan.

The concert, regaled lovers of Indian classical music as the Ustad rendered some rarely heard ragas carrying the authentic stamp of the Agra gharana gayaki.

Agra gharana is one of the most important gharanas of Indian classical music. It has given India doyens such as Aftab-e-Mausiqui Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan, Ustad Khadim Hussain Khan, Ustad Latafat Hussain and Ustad Sharafat Hussain Khan to name just a few.

Raja Miyan, one of the foremost disciples of Padmabhushan late Ustad Khadim Hussain Khan was born in an illustrious family of traditional musicians. Son of Anwar Hussain Khan, he was trained by his uncle Khadim Hussain Khan and also received lessons from Yunus Hussain Khan.

The mehfil came alive withAnavat ragas, beautiful bandishes and he mesmerised the listeners with alaap in Raga Purva followed by renditions in Raga Barwa, Ram Gauri and Gara Kanhra. Raja Miyan’s gayaki reflects the strong influence of his uncle Latafat Hussain Khan.