The ustad behind Senia gharana

Wazir Khan, the star musician of the Rampur court, was both exceptional performer and teacher

Two recent music festivals have drawn our attention; the first, named after Ustad Allaudin Khan, was held in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh; the second festival, held in Kolkata, celebrated the music of the Ustad’s daughter, Annapurna Devi. Held in great reverence by the Hindustani music world, this family’s exceptional musical skills can be traced back to Guru Ustad Mohammed Wazir Khan, who is hardly remembered today. He passed away in 1926. Born in 1860, Wazir Khan was a descendent of Tansen’s daughter Saraswati. Her lineage boasted well-known exponents, as they were ‘beenkars’ (who played the rudra veena) whereas the family of Tansen’s son were ‘rababiyas’ (who played the rabab, which was later modified as sarod). Wazir Khan too played the rudra veena and his expertise was hailed by his contemporaries. The style was dhrupad. Being accepted as his disciple was next to impossible; his position in the court of Rampur was second only to the ruler’s.