Bhurji Khan Biography 
Bhurji Khan was a Hindustani Classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. It was founded by his father, renowned musician Ustaad Alladiya Khan. His brothers, Manji Khan and Nasiruddin Khan were also renowned singers of Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. As Manji Khan had an unexpected death aged 49, Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana tradition was carried forward by Bhurji Khan. Except Manji Khan, both the siblings faced health ailments during childhood and hence their father chose Manji, the middle son as his foremost inheritor. But destiny was something else. Early death of his brother caused the tradition to be carried forward through Bhurji, the youngest and third son of Ustaad Alladiya Khan. Manji couldn’t gain any disciples as well, except Mallikarjun Mansur, just a few days before his death. Mansur was later taught by none other than Bhurji Khan.
Bhurji was born as the youngest son of Ustaad Alladiya Khan in the year 1890 in Bundi of North-Western Provinces. Alladiya Khan, too felt that among the siblings, Bhurji’s voice was the best. He used to listen to his elder brothers while doing practice. He was exceptionally intelligent too. In his late youth, Bhurji Khan fell seriously ill with motzira while visiting Uniara, his father’s hometown. He suffered from nose bleeds and it damaged his brain and singing capability as well. No treatment was available then, except ‘pandu mud’ and water. He had severe cold and lost his voice quality forever. It resulted in forgetfulness and memory loss also.
His father lost hope and abandoned his studies. At this point, he was taught by his uncle, Ustaad Haider Khan, another renowned singer of that time. Slowly he recovered and his father resumed teaching. Later Bhurji Khan became instrumental in expanding Jaipur-Atrauli gayaki in Hindustani Classical music. Pt. Mohanrao Palekar, Kishori Amonkar and Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur are his noted disciples. Like his father and brothers, he didn’t leave behind any recorded songs!
Published: N/A
Updated: February 25, 2014
