Rajab Ali Khan Biography 
Rajab Ali Khan was an Indian musician and vocalist who lived during the period, September 3, 1874 – January 8, 1959 in Madhya Pradesh. Many of his family members including Rajab himself served as court musicians of rulers of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, and Jaipur, Rajasthan in the 18th century. His family is still following the tradition of rudra veena for many centuries. A master of Khayaliya, he was also a noted player of Rudra Veena, Sitar, Jaltarang and tabla. In 1909, he was conferred the title of Sangeet Ratna Bhushan by the Maharaja of Mysore. Government of India honoured him with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1954.
He was born into a family with strong influence in musical traditions. He belonged to the 4th generation of his family associated with rudra veena, and played a magnificent role in promoting music during his life time. But he earned fame as a vocalist. Currently 8th generation is into the same tradition of rudra veena. Padma Bhushan Asad Ali Khan is the great-grandson of Rajab Ali Khan, one of the prominent figures associated with Rudra Veena belonging to the 7th generation of his family. His son Musharraf Khan and grandson Sadiq Ali Khan were other musicians who served as court musicians from their family.
Ustad Rajab Ali Khan was born on September 3, 1874 at Narsinhgarh, Madhya Pradesh. Rajab Ali learned music from his father Manglu Khan. He followed the musical tradition of Bade Mohammad Khan. He continued his musical lessons under Bande Ali Khan Beenkar. He performed in a mixed style of the Jaipur Gharana and Kirana gharana styles. He also served as a court musician of Dewas and Kolhapur, and also Ram Singh II of Jaipur State. He did his last public concert in 1957 in Mumbai. He passed away on January 8, 1959 at Dewas, Madhya Pradesh.
Published: October 06, 2018
Updated: October 06, 2018
