The esteemed legacy of the Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan lives on as his family and students announce the second edition of the prestigious Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Award. This event, marking the legendary musician’s third death anniversary, is scheduled to take place over two days - 16th and 17th January 2024. This year, the award will be conferred upon the legendary musician Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain at a ceremony on the 17th of January at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion, Mumbai. The award will be presented by Ustad ji’s wife Amina Ghulam Mustafa Khan. Following the award ceremony, Padma Shri Sonu Nigam, Khan Saab’s ‘shaagird’, will pay homage to the late maestro in a concert titled ‘Haazri’. Additionally, the inaugural day of the event, i.e. 16th of January, will feature Hindustani Classical performances - Flute recital by Rakesh Chaurasia, Sitar recital by Purbayan Chatterjee and vocals by Pandit Venkatesh Kumar at the Kashinath Ghanekar Natyagruha in Thane, adding an extra layer of cultural richness to the celebration.
In its debut edition last year, the Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Award was presented to the flute maestro Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to Indian Classical Music.
The Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain avers, “This award holds a very special place in my heart.” He continues, “I feel Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan is one of the great unsung heroes of Indian Classical Music. Over the many decades that he has sung, I would say, he has not gained the recognition and accolades that he truly deserved. His passing away has made a void in the transmission of the tradition of the Indian Classical Music - Khayal Gayaki. Nevertheless, I am happy that his legacy lives on through his sons and grandson who are teaching, singing and promoting Indian Classical Music. I hope the tradition of the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana continues to live on. Aur hum sab par Khan Saab ki jo chaap hamesha se lagi hui hai woh lagi rahe.”
Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Sahab was an authority in Classical Music but he never ever told his students to quit their music and move to Classical Music. I have in the past performed in front of him and I remember how memorable it was! It is going to be a tribute from a son to his father—Sonu Nigam
Speaking about ‘Haazri’, the tribute to his Guru, Sonu Nigam imparts, “I will do what I am known for. Every artiste should do what his/her core strength is. Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Sahab was an authority in Classical Music but he never ever told his students to quit their music and move to Classical Music. I have in the past performed in front of him and I remember how memorable it was! It is going to be a tribute from a son to his father.” Will he be presenting personal pieces that Khan Saab taught him? “Not necessarily. What he has taught me, and is still teaching me vicariously through his sons, is something very personal. It’s like I would want the audience to have the feast and not the ingredients,” the accomplished singer-performer adds.
Khan Saab’s son Rabbani Mustafa Khan shares, “We take immense pride in presenting the award to Zakir Bhai this year. In addition to my brother Sonu Nigam’s performance, we have incorporated classical renditions by ace Hindustani Classical artistes this year. It is our steadfast duty to champion Hindustani Classical Music and this is a steady step in that direction. We aim to include more cities in our endeavour next year.”
The event is presented by NR Talent and Event Management.
