gharana

Etawah-Imdadkhani Gharana and Its Legacy

One of the founders of the Etawah-Imdadkhani Gharana was Ustad Imdad Khan. His son, Ustad Enayat Khan (1894 – 1938), father of Ustad Vilayat Khan (28 August 1928 – 13 March 2004), lived in Kolkata and mentored several eminent disciples during his lifetime. Notable among them were Amiya Kanti Bhattacharyya, John Gomez, Jitendra Mohan Sengupta, and Dhrubatara Joshi. Ganesh Das was a direct disciple of Amiyakanti Bhattacharya & Sayan Ghosh is a direct disciple of Ganesh Das.

Ustad Enayet Khan

Ustad Enayat Khan (1894–1938) was one of the most influential sitar and surbahar players in the early 20th century and a key figure of the Imdadkhani or Etawah Gharana. Born in the North-Western Provinces of British India, he was the son of the legendary sitarist Ustad Imdad Khan, from whom he inherited the distinctive gayaki ang style—an approach to instrumental music that closely emulates the nuances of vocal music. Trained under his father's guidance, Enayat Khan further refined and expanded this expressive style, becoming a trailblazer in the evolution of sitar playing.

Enayet Khan earned recognition as a musician early. He was only 28 years old when he was engaged as a family performer of Birendra Kishore Raychowdhury, zamindar of Gouripur. Though a non-Bengali, Enayet Khan settled permanently in Gouripur where he popularised the sitar-surbahar gharana of school developed by his father.

Enayat Khan’s contributions extended beyond performance. He brought about significant innovations in the design of the sitar itself, standardizing its dimensions and adding the upper resonator gourd, which gave the instrument a richer, more resonant tone. Though later generations of his own family moved away from using the upper gourd, his design principles continue to influence sitar makers today.

He settled in Calcutta, a rising cultural center at the time, and became instrumental in popularizing the sitar among broader audiences. In a period marked by growing national consciousness and cultural revival, Enayat Khan helped take classical music out of the confines of elite salons and into the public sphere. His depth, technical control, and ability to organize the instrumental language made him stand apart from his contemporaries.

Enayat Khan shared a close personal and artistic bond with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Deeply moved by Enayat Khan’s artistry, Tagore composed the iconic song “Tumi Kemon Kore Gaan Koro He Guni” as a tribute to his musical genius. This song remains a heartfelt acknowledgment of Enayat Khan’s emotional depth and extraordinary musical skill.

Though his life was cut short at the age of 43, his impact on Indian classical music was profound. He left behind a legacy that was carried forward by his two sons—Vilayat Khan, who chose the sitar, and Imrat Khan, who mastered the surbahar. Both went on to become world-renowned musicians and torchbearers of the Imdadkhani Gharana. Interestingly, Vilayat Khan chose not to imitate his father’s taan-toda technique, perhaps out of respect for how masterfully it had already been developed by Enayat Khan.

Some rare recordings of Enayat Khan have been preserved and released in collections such as "Great Gharanas: Imdadkhani" in RPG/EMI’s Chairman’s Choice series, offering modern listeners a glimpse into his musical brilliance.

Through his innovations, artistry, and the continuing legacy of his descendants, Ustad Enayat Khan remains a foundational figure in the history of Hindustani classical music, revered not only for his technical achievements but also for the soulful expressiveness that defined his playing.

He made many disciples in Gouripur and Kolkata, among whom were many celebrities including Birendra Kishor Raychowdhury, Bipin Chandra Pal, Srinibas Nug, Birendra Mitra, Jitendramohan Sengupta, Jyotishchandra Chowdhury, Bimalakanta Raychowdhury, Jnanodakanta Lahiri Chowdhury, Dhrubtara Joshee, John Gomes, Amiyakanta Bhattacharya, Niradakanta Lahiri, Manoranjan Mukhopadhyay, Renuka Saha etc.

Amiyakanti Bhattacharya

Amiya Kanti Bhattacharya was one of the notable & devoted disciple of Ustad Enayet Khan, fondly remembered as Bhombal Babu, was a distinguished sitar and surbahar maestro known for his crystal-clear tone and swift, intricate fingerwork. Hailing from a renowned musical lineage, Bhattacharya mastered both the sitar and surbahar, performing widely, including for All India Radio. One of his memorable performances took place in Konnagar, where he captivated the audience with a profound rendition of Raag Simhendra Madhyam—a rare and evocative raga that showcased his deep command over melody and mood.

His artistry left a lasting impression on many, including the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar, who made special mention of Bhattacharyya’s musical brilliance in his autobiography Raag Anuraag. A true torchbearer of the classical tradition, Bhattacharyya was not only a brilliant performer but also a devoted guru. Among his most loyal disciples was Sri Ganesh Das, who served him selflessly until his final days. Bhombal Babu eventually succumbed to throat cancer, marking the end of a remarkable musical journey.

Ganesh Das

Shri Ganesh Das was a devoted disciple of Pandit Amiya Kanti Bhattacharyya, under whose guidance he trained until Bhattacharyya’s passing. Though professionally a chemical engineer, Ganesh Das nurtured a lifelong passion for the sitar, which he pursued with deep sincerity and commitment. Based in Konnagar, he earned local acclaim and was honored with several awards for his contributions to music. His home became a hub for musical interactions, including memorable baithaks and jamming sessions with Pandit Manilal Nag of the Vishnupur Gharana. A staunch proponent of the Etawah–Imdadkhani Gharana, he upheld its aesthetics with discipline and clarity.

In the later years of his life, he accepted Sayan Ghosh as his youngest disciple. Sayan received his foundational training in Hindustani classical music from Ganesh Das and remained by his side, serving him with deep respect and care until his final moments. Ganesh Das deeply loved Sayan and held him in special regard throughout his life.

He passed away peacefully due to a normal stroke, with complications from a cough that had congested his chest. Though not a full-time performer, Ganesh Das left a lasting impression on his students and the musical community through his devotion, knowledge, and sincere love for the sitar.

Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan

Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, born on 14 October 1954 in Mumbai, India, is one of the foremost sitar maestros in the world and a living legend of the Etawah (Imdadkhani) Gharana, a lineage that stretches back seven generations. He is the grandson of Ustad Wahid Khan and the nephew of Ustad Vilayat Khan, towering figures in Indian classical music who deeply influenced his path. Trained rigorously from childhood under his father, Ustad Aziz Khan, Shahid Parvez Khan began with vocal music and tabla, which later enriched his understanding of rhythm and melody when he transitioned to the sitar. A prodigy, he gave his first public performance at the age of eight and quickly earned a reputation for his exceptional skill and expressive playing style.

What sets him apart is his mastery of the gayaki ang, a style of playing that mimics the nuances of the human voice, making his sitar sing with lyrical beauty. He skillfully blends this gayaki approach with the more instrumental tantrakari style, producing music that is at once deeply rooted in tradition and boldly innovative. His performances are marked by intricate improvisation, clarity of tone, and an emotional depth that captivates listeners worldwide.

Over the decades, he has graced the stages of countless prestigious festivals and concert halls across India, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia, becoming a global ambassador of Hindustani classical music. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, he has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the PadmaShree in 2012, the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2006, the Sur Shringar Samman, and the Kumar Gandharva Samman. He is also a top-grade artist of All India Radio.

Beyond performance, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan is deeply committed to teaching and preserving the tradition of his gharana. He founded the SPK Academy of Music, a non-profit organization that nurtures students around the world through both in-person and online training, following the time-honored guru–shishya parampara. Sayan Ghosh, a devoted sitarist of the Etawah Gharana, took several lessons from Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan during his workshops, which greatly shaped his understanding and refinement of gayaki ang on the sitar.

In recent years, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan has continued to push boundaries with innovative work, such as his 2024 album "Reverie," which features rarely recorded ragas like Parameshwari and Tilak Shyam, showcasing his willingness to explore new musical territories while staying anchored in classical purity. He remains a beacon of inspiration, not only for sitar players but for all lovers of Indian classical music. His life and art reflect a perfect synthesis of tradition, innovation, discipline, and devotion, making him a true icon of our times.

Sayan Ghosh with Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan in Ustadji's sitar workshop in 2022