Description of Family Tree
(Rudraveena – Instrumental)
Ustad Wahid Khan is credited as the co-founder of Mewati Gharana along with his younger brother Ustad Ghagge Nazir Khan. He was born in Mewat near Alwar. He was a renowned Rudra Veena player.
Ustad Wahid Khansaheb introduced the instrumental tradition into the Gharana. The story goes thus – In Malwa, the famous Beenkar Ustad Bande Ali Khansaheb of had only two prominent disciples – Wahid Khan of Indore and Murad Khan of Jawra. Both became prominent Been players Murad Khansaheb was more interested in the ‘alapi’ part of Been-playing. Thus Bande Ali Khansaheb stressed more on the ‘alapi’ part when he taught him. Wahid Khansaheb, on the other hand was more keen in ‘taiyyari’ (taans).
He served as a court musician in the Holkar court. Starting with Shivaji Rao Holkar, and continued till Tukoji Rao Holkar.
Ustad Wahid Khan had 6 children – 5 sons and a daughter. The children were named as, Majid Khan, Latif Khan, Saddan Khan, Ghulam Qadir Khan,Hamid Khan and daughter Hasiban. Except for Saddan Khan, all four sons became prominent musicians themselves and continued the instrumental tradition. After Ustad Wahid Khansaheb’s death, his son Ustad Latif Khan took over as the court musician in Indore. Among the four musician sons, Ustad Ghulam Qadir Khan was the only one who was both a vocalist and a Rudra Veena player.
He died in 1933 in Indore Madhya Pradesh
(Rudraveena, Sitar – Instrumental)
Ustad Majid Khan was the elder son of Ustad Wahid Khan. He was both a Sitar and a Rudra Veena player. Majid Khansaheb was the first one to move to Bombay (now Mumbai). He had a musical instrument shop at Prarthana Samaj, an area in South Mumbai.
Ustad Majid Khan was more into teaching and taught many well-known families in Mumbai. Among his disciples was his nephew Mohammed Khan who lived with him at his home in Babulnath near Chowpatty. Later Mohammed Khan continued to live in the same house and also teach Majid Khansaheb’s disciples.
Majid Khansaheb had a son and two daughters. Son Mohammed Shafi became a famous music composer in the Bombay Film industry.
(Rudraveena – Instrumental)
Ustad Latif Khansahabwas a prominent Been player of his time and was highly respected as a court musician at Indore Holkar court under Tukoji Rao Holkar after his father Ustad Wahid Khansahab’s death. From the Mewati Instrumentalist tradition, he was the first person to start performing outside courts being a court musician he was regularly invited to perform at various music festivals of that time like Prayaag Sangeet Sabha (one of the oldest music organisations in India). places like Lucknow ,Patiala, Kashmir, Nepal etc.
Some of his disciples were brother-in-law Ustad Usman Khan of Indore, nephew Ustad Mohammed Khan and his elder brother’s son Mohammed Shafi. Ustad Mohammed Khan was also taught by Latif Khansahab’s brother Ustad Majid Khan.
Ustad Latif Khan had only one daughter named Kaniz Fatima. Her son, Sitarist Ustad Siraj Khan, along with his son Asad Khan continue to serve and spread the music of the Mewati Instrumental tradition from Mumbai.
Ustad Latif Khan died in 1935 in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh.
(Sitar – Instrumental)
Ustad Saddan Khan was thethird son of wahid khan and was a twin brother of latif khan, he learned vocal & Sitar briefly , but didn’t do it professionally, he was a businessman in merchant navy, born in indore he lived majorly in Bombay Saddan Khan died in Bombay (Mumbai)
(Daughter of Ustad Wahid Khan)
(Vocal)
Ustad Ghulam Qadir Khan was born in 1914 in Indore.
Son of Ustad Wahid Khansahab, Ghulam Qadir Khan was adopted by his paternal uncle Ustad Munavvar Khan. Ghulam Qadir Khan initially undertook Rudra Veena training under his father Ustad Wahid Khan. After being adopted however, Munavvar Khan is said to have told his elder brother Ustad Wahid Khan not to continue teaching young Ghulam Qadir the Rudra Veena so that he continue the Gharana’s vocal tradition.
Ustad Ghulam Qadir Khan is a historic personality of sorts for the Mewati Gharana since he was the last of the blood descendants to have served the Mewati vocal tradition. He is held in high regards by Pandit Jasraj who has been representing the Mewati vocal tradition for decades now. Ustad Ghulam Qadir Khan was a Sufi type of person and never sought fame or money.
Ghulam Qadir Khan first performed in 1921 in Mumbai in a function organised by Pandit Bhatkhande. In 1931, he came to Sanand He served in the Sanand Darbar, continuing the tradition after Ustad Munavvar Khansaheb. In Sanand Darbar, he taught Maharana Jaswant Singh ji. He also taught at the Saurashtra Music University. Ghulam Qadir Khansahab was an AIR (All India Radio) vocalist. He was also connected with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai.
In 1999-2000 Ustad Ghulam Qadir Khan was awarded the Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar by the Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Academy, Gandhinagar.
Among his disciples were prominent people of Mumbai like Bacchhubhai Raja, Vikram Sarabhai’s sister Geetaben etc. He also taught his maternal grandson Siraj Khan and his son Asad Khan.
Ustad Ghulam Qadir Khan died in 2002 in Rajkot.
(Rudraveena, Sitar – Instrumental)
Ustad Hamid Khan was the youngest son of Beenkar Ustad Wahid Khan. He was a Rudra Veena player. Hamid Khansahab continued teaching in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chowpatty in Mumbai, after the death of his nephew Mohammed Khan. This was because although an uncle, age wise Hamid Khan was younger than his nephew. The reason being Hamid Khan and Ghulam Qadir Khan were Wahid Khansahab’s second wife sons.
Ustad Hamid Khan was an AIR artist. He lived in Masjid Galli near Grant Road (Mumbai) and later moved to Versova, a Mumbai suburb.
Hamid Khansahab had three sons – Sayeed Khan, Zayed Khan and Rashid Khan and five daughters.
(Sitar/Composer, Arranger)
Mohammed Shafi son of Ustad ustad Majid Khan Beenkaar, he was Born in Indore, he was the first person from the mewati lineage to start working for Indian film music industry , and became a famous music arranger/ symphony orchestra conductor & film music editor of his time ,he arranged & conducted music for many popular & legendary films of Indian cinema such as Mughal-e Azam, Leader Saathi , Ganga – Jamuna , Pakeeza for which he was credited & awarded aswell.
He also learned the western staff notation & was the pioneer to bring Stock Background Music style to the Indian film music industry ,which he studied in Russia
He was also a Sitarplayer & played in many films, he was married to the second elder sister of Sitar legend Ustad Vilayat Khan
He died in Mumbai 1979
(Daughter)
Begum Kaniz Fatima was the only daughter of Beenkar Ustad Latif Khansahab. She was born in 1934.
She was married to Ahmed Sayed Khan, grand son of Dhrupad singer Ustad Haider Khansahab of Dhar (Madhya Pradesh). She had two sons and two daughters. Her son, eminent Sitarist Ustad Siraj Khan is carrying on the instrumental tradition along with his son Asad Khan.
Begum Kaniz passed away in 2018 in Mumbai.
(Rudraveena, Sitar, Surbahar)
Ustad Mohammed khan was a famous Rudraveena & Surbahar exponent
He learned music from hai Mama (maternal uncle) Ustad Latif Khansahab Beenkar
He was the Nephew of Legendary vocalist Ustad Rajab Ali Khansahab of Dewas, he was related from his paternal side to Ustad Murad Khan Beenkar & Ustad Babu Khansahab
Mohammed khan taught many students like ace actor Prithviraj Kapoor, Dr. Shyam yodh & his legendary son Ustad Rais khan..
He died in Mumbai on 30th Dec 1967
(Violin)
Shahid Khan is the younger brother of Ustad Siraj Khan. He is a Violinist in the film music industry. He was majorly influenced by his mama (maternal uncle Md Shafi) for his knowledge & expertise in film music & production.
He learnt Western music staff notation on violin & film music arrangment from Pt Ram Prasad Sharma (father of Pyarelal, of the famous music directors Laxmikant – Pyarelal duo).
He worked closely with many music composers –
from RD Burman to Laxmikant Pyarelal to Rajesh Roshan to Anu Malik.
He has been a A grade violinist of the CMA and film music industry.
(Sitar)
Ustad Siraj Khan’s music reflects the eternal essence of the Sitar as perfected and handed down from deep rooted historical tradition.
Siraj Khan belongs to the illustrious Mewati Gharana which claims equal proficiency in vocal and instrumental music. The Gharana thus maintains the best of vocal style (gayaki ang- Ustad Rajab Ali Khan, Ustad Amanat Khan, Ustad Gulam Qadir Khan) and the purest instrumental form (Rudraveena players Ustad Latif Khan, Ustad Majid Khan, Ustad Hameed Khan, Ustad Mohammad Khan). The strains that emanate from the Sitar of Siraj Khan thus epitomises a synthesis of classical evolution.
Siraj Khan was born in Indore. His initial training included tutelage under his uncle the inimitable Ustad Vilayat Khan. Under the Guru Shishya Parampara of Mewati Gharana, he received intense training, refinement and perfection under his cousin, the magnificent Ustad Rais Khan. His Khaas Taaleem included learning of different Bandishes & Mewati style of baaj from his grandfather, the great Ustad Gulam Qadir Khan. Siraj Khan has performed at the prestigious Rajab Ali Khan Music Festival at Dewas, the Gwalior Tansen Sangeet Samaroh and the Gujarat Sports Club, Ahmedabad. And has been regularly performing around the globe.
At present Ustad Siraj Khan continues to spread the musical message of the Gharana in true Guru-Shishya Parampara as also enthral the discerning audience with his performances.
(Sitar)
She was the younger sister of Ustad Rais Khan, daughter of Ustad Mohammed Khan & Nashiran Begum. She learnt Surbahar & Sitar and played in many major concerts.
She also learnt from Ustad Ghulam Qadir Khansahab (her father’s uncle). She taught her father’s students after he had a paralytic attack.
She was the first female Surbahar player from the Mewati tradition. She was also featured on the cover page of ‘Femina’, the famous women’s magazine.
She died in Mumbai.
(Sitar)
Ustad Rais Khan was born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India in 1939. His father, Ustad Mohammed Khan started his son’s “Taalim” (training) at the age of two and a half by presenting him a small coconut-shell sitar.
In 1955, he was selected from a huge list of competitors from all over the country to represent the Indian nation at the International Youth Festival in Warsaw, where Ustad Rais Khan carried off the first prize for his virtuosity. Since that time, he has been touring extensively throughout the world, delighting packed audiences of many thousands in many major capital cities.
Ustad Rais Khan has a compelling presence and spontaneous link with all who have had the pleasure to experience his unique style and captivating performance. His dynamic personality and genius have made him one of the most outstanding artists of our time.
Ustad Rais Khan has four sons – Suhael khan, Cezanne khan, Farhan khan and Huzoor Hasnain khan. Among them, Farhan Khan is already an accomplished Sitarist who will carry on the tradition.
(Composer / Arranger)
Shahraaz khan is the younger son of Ust siraj khan ..he is a pianist & trained in western classical music, he is also learned the Indian classical system from his father ust siraj khan
Sharaaz is a Modern day song producer & sound designer & engineer, he has many film & song to his credits as music producer & arranger
He briefly assisted Monty Sharma over few project such as Black / Saawariya etc and independently scored bgm music & song production for film like Black, U Me aur Hum ( Ajay Devgan), Love Story 2050, Red Aleart, Apne, Veer, 1921 love story, Beimaan love, amavas, samir, he also worked for famous producers of Tamil Industry Bhartiya Raja for his film Cinema..
He’s currently as a song producer arranger & sound designer for majority of film score in Mumbai
(Sitar)
Asad Khan belongs to the illustrious family of Mewati Gharana. He is deeply rooted in Indian Classical music, having studied exclusively under his father Ustad Siraj khan, an eminent Sitarist. His music has been perfected and handed down through generations in the family of Mewati musicians. Asad belongs to the 5th generation of the highly respected musical tradition of Mewati Gharana.
Asad Khan plays Sitar, thrives on challenges, loves to crossover between Indian music & variety of genres including Jazz, Flamenco, Western Classical, Electronica, Sufi, Folk and tries to achieve the never before result.
Asad has played at many prestigious concerts. Some of them are Baba Allauddin khan Sangeet Samaroh, Swami Haridas Sangeet Sabha, Edinburgh music festival, Oxford music festival, Alchemy festival – London, Opening Ceremony of Common Wealth games, 2010,Delhi, Concert with London Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Festival Hall, London. In 2010, Asad had the distinct honour of being the first Sitarist to Perform at the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize Concert at Oslo, Norway.
Asad has shared the stage with world famous artists, musicians, orchestras, music producers like Herbie Hancock , A R Rahman , Barry Manilow, Colbie Caillat, Jamiroquai, the London Philharmonic Orchestraů the list goes on.
From displaying the profundity of Indian raga frame work , a truly remarkable style of gayaki ang (vocal-style) to working with world renowned musicians from a range of traditions, creating innovative music that appeals to his generation as well as to his illustrious family music, Asad Khan is truly the new-age world musician.
(Sitar)
Farhan Khan is the son of legendary Sitarist Ustad Rais Khan and Begum Bilqees Khanum. He was born in 1980.
He is the fifth generation Sitar player of the Mewati Gharana and has already carved a name for himself among his generation. He has accompanied his father on Sitar throughout the world and has several solo credits to himself.
(Vocal)
Ustad Ghagge Nazir Khan, along with his elder brother Ustad Wahid Khan co-founded Mewati Gharana. He was a vocalist whereas his brother Ustad Wahid Khan was a Rudra Veena player. Thus, Mewati Gharana came to have both Vocal and Instrumental traditions.
Ustad Ghagge Nazir Khan was a disciple of Ustad Chote Mohammed Khan of Gwalior Gharana and Ustad Waris Ali Khan, son of Ustad Bade Mohammed Khan of Rewa. This is how Mewati Gharana has its vocal roots.
An important relation to be noted – Ustad Ghagge Nazir Khan was married to the grand daughter of the famous Haddu Khan. This made him their grand son-in-law. On the other hand, Ustad Bande Ali Khansahab, the famous Beenkar was married to the daughter of Haddu Khan.
The son-in-law and the grand son-in-law were very good friends and spent a lot of time together. Ustad Bande Ali Khan was also Ustad Wahid Khan’s teacher. Bande Ali khan received his Been (Rudra Veena) training from Ustad Behram Khansaheb Dagar.Thus, we see a very definite Dagar-bani influence on the Jod part of the Mewati instrumental presentation. The Dagar influence was never also evident in Ghagge Nazir Khansaheb’s singing because of the strong family connections with Hassu – Haddu Khan.
Ghagge Nazir Khan had no children so adopted his younger brother Munavvar Khan whom he trained in the vocal. Munavvar Khansaheb too did not have any children hence he too adopted his elder brother Wahid Khansaheb’s son Ghulam Qadir Khan who carry forwarded the vocal traditions of Mewati Gharana
Ustad Ghagge Nazir Khan had two other disciples – Pandit Nathulal and Pandit Chimanlal. Pandit Nathulal trained his nephew Pandit Motiram who was appointed as musician in the Kashmir court and later in the Hyderabad court.from them the lineage of Pt Jasraj mewati connection follows.
Ustad Ghagge Nazir Khan died in the 1920s in Bhopal.
(Vocal)
Ustad Munavvar Khansahab was the youngest brother and adopted son of Ustad Ghagge Nazir Khansahab. He was both a vocalist and a Rudra Veena player. Ustad Munavvar Khan was court musician in Jamnagar Gujrat and then at Sanand state in Gujarat. Sanand was then ruled by Maharana Shri Jaywant Singhji Ranmal Singhji. He was also Maharana’s music teacher.
Ustad Munavvar Khan taught vocal to his adopted son (nephew) Ghulam Qadir Khan (Ustad Wahid Khan’s son).
(Disciple-Vocal)
(Rudra Veena)
Maharaja jaiwant singh wahegala of Sanand
Was a great musician/Musicologist & teacher
He learned vocal & rudraveena from Ustad Munawwar khan the youngest brother of Ustad Nazir khan & ustad Wahid khan & later from Ustad Ghulam Qadir Khansahab
He was the Maharaja of Sanand state near Ahmedabad Gujrat, he created many ragas during his practice & research such as Jaiwanti Todi, Gyaankali, Rajrageshwari etc.
(Disciple-Vocal)
(Vocal)
Pandit Motiram ji was a legendary vocalist of Mewati Gharana ,he was a court musician in Mysore & then in Hyderabad Pandit ji died in 1939
(Vocal)
Pandit Jyotiram a Vocalist was the elder brother of Motiram.
(Vocal)
(Vocal)
Pandit Maniram Pandit (8 December 1910 – 16 May 1985) was a legendary Indian classical vocalist from the Mewati gharana vocal tradition Panditji is the elder brother and guru of Pt. Jasraj and eldest son of Pt. Motiram Pandit.
(Vocal)
Pandit Jasraj (born 28 January 1930) is an Indian classical vocalist, belonging to the Mewati Gharana. He was born in Pili Mandori, a village in the Hisar district of Haryana (now Fatehabad district) in a middle-class Brahmin family to Pandit Motiram, a classical singer. Motiram ji died in 1934 when Jasraj was four, on the day he was to be appointed as the state musician in the court of Osman Ali Khan.
Jasraj spent his youth in Hyderabad, and travelled often to Sanand in Gujarat to study music with musicians of the Mewati gharana. Maharana Jaswant Singhji of Sanand was deeply dedicated to classical music, and was an accomplished musician himself. He had collected around him a court of scholarly and accomplished musicians, and a lot of Jasraj’s musical training happened in this environment.
He initially trained as a classical vocalist with his brother, Pandit Maniram, and later with the vocalist Jaswant Singh Waghela and Ghulam Qadir Khan of Mewati Gharana.
Jasraj ji created a novel form of jugalbandi called Jasrangi that is styled on the ancient system of moorchhana, between a male and a female vocalist, who each sing different ragas at the same time. He is also known for presenting a variety of rare ragas including Abiri Todi and Patdeepaki.
He is the recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academi award, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Lata Mangeshkar award among several others.
Jasraj is married to Madhura Shantaram, the daughter of film director V. Shantaram. They have two children, Shaarang Dev and Durga Jasraj.
(Vocal)
Pandit Pratap Narayan was the second son of Pt Motiram ji he was a vocalist ,he taught to many disciples including kankana Banerjee Pt Pratap Narayan sons were the famous film music composers duo Jatin- Lalit.
(Music Director)
Jatin–Lalit are an Indian film music director duo consisting of Jatin Pandit and his younger brother Lalit. They have written the widely popular scores for films such as Khiladi, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Khamoshi: The Musical, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Yes Boss, Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Sarfarosh, Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Fanaa.
Jatin and Lalit come from a musical family originating from Pili Mandori Village in Hissar district of Haryana state. Pandit Jasraj is their uncle. They received their musical education primarily from their father, Pandit Pratap Narayan. They were taught guitar and piano by Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma, of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo.
(Son)
Sharang Dev is a reputed film Music Director. He has composed music for many movies. Sharang Dev is the brother of well known Original Content Producer, Durga Jasraj. Sharang Dev was born and raised by his father, world famous Classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj and mother in Mumbai.
Sharang Claims that his father has always been there, helping him in his musical talents. Sharang dev debuted into the music world by directing the music for the movie, Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro in the year 1990. He is the music director of several movies such as Rihaee, Naseem, Aastha, Ishyaa and Ramayana – the Epic.
(Daughter)
Durga Jasraj (born 12 September 1966) is an Indian original content producer. She is the daughter of world famous Classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj. She focuses on creating indigenous content[jargon] in formats for multiple media, viz. Live, Television, Online, Mobile VAS, Radio, CD/DVDs. She founded “Art And Artistes (I) Pvt. Ltd.”, an entertainment programming company in 1999. She subsequently co-founded the Indian Music Academy (IMA) in 2006. Durga Jasraj started her career as a classical vocalist at age seven. Her acting debut came in Ketan Anand’s Aaja Meri Jaan (1993). She acted in TV series including Chandrakanta (1994) and Mahabharat (1988). She performed as a Hindustani classical singer and with her father for many years. She became popular on Zee TV’s show, Antakshari as a co-host with Annu Kapoor during the 1990s. She quit the show at the peak of its popularity to start her company Art And Artistes (I) Pvt Ltd. She conceived, produced and hosted the largest platform for all genres of Indian Music – IDEA JALSA. Idea Jalsa was first telecast on Doordarshan followed by Zee TV and later in 165 countries worldwide.
(Nephew of Pt. Jasraj)
Pt. Rattan Mohan Sharma is one of the highest selling recording artist ever in Spiritual and Devotional categories. His trendsetting albums such as “Gayatri Mantra” have sold over half a million copies world over. He has more than 300 BEST SELLING ALBUMS to his credit. It is believed that listening to his blessed voice and chants brings in prosperity and peace in every house hold.
He has received several awards but the closest to his heart is the title of “Badshaah-e-Taraana” which was given to him by his fans for creating a breath taking unique style of “Taraana” like never before. A composer, singer and a performer par excellence. His melodious rendition of “Haveli Sangeet” and “Rajasthani Folk” has always left audiences worldwide spellbound and over whelmed in his life concerts. More than 5000 of his performances world wide have been in temples, colleges, prestigious music festivals.
He is Founder of Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation- Mumbai and also a faculty in Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation- Tampa, Florida, US.
Sharma was born in Rajasthan to Padma and Mohan Lal Sharma. He is the nephew and the disciple of classical vocalist, Jasraj. His affinity for percussion instruments in his youth led Sharma to practice tabla up to the age of 15. Over the years, he has trained under Pandit Jasraj and Pandit Pratap Narayan (Tabla).