The nation and the music business as a whole are in mourning at the passing of Ustad Rashid Khan, the man whose voice opened up Hindustani classical music to listeners outside of India. This marked the end of his four-year fight with prostate cancer at a hospital in Kolkata. He passed away at 55.
Sonu Nigam wrote, “My dear Respected Elder Brother and the Pride of Classical Music of our Country Padmabhushan Ustad Rashid Khan Sahab. Aise koi jaata hai kya bhai? Akele akele (Does anybody go like this, all by yourself)? Saddened beyond words. Allah aapko jannat me aala makaam de. You’ll be missed always. Om Shanti.”
Harshdeep Kaur tweeted, “Extremely sad news… Ustad Rashid Khan Ji passes away… this is a huge loss to the world of music. He will always be remembered for his excellence in music and his voice will reverberate in our hearts forever. Rest in Peace #RashidKhan Saab.”
Sona Mohapatra wrote, “Ustaad Rashid Khan. A National Treasure. Attended his live concert in the Shanmukhananda auditorium just a few months ago & he was majestic & magical as always. On our playlists forever. May his soul rest in peace . Om Shanti.”
Hansal Mehta expressed in a tweet, “Heartbreaking loss. Perhaps the greatest Hindustani classical vocalist of our generation is gone. Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan passes away at the age of 55.”
Prasoon Joshi wrote, “My very dear friend, a legend & truly a voice through which the divine spoke to us – Rashid Khan’s demise is an irreparable loss to the world of music. Fortunate are those who heard him perform. He was an unparalleled treasure. Milenge Rashid bhai upar milenge (we will meet in heaven)… #Ustadrashidkhan.”
Mamata Banerjee extended her condolences, “Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Ustad Rashid Khan, one of the greatest exponents of Indian classical music of our times. A hugely respected vocalist with unparalleled genius in creating music, he made us proud by settling here and making Bengal his home. He and Soma, his wife, and son Armaan, and the whole family, were close to us and allowed us to be on their side in the maestro’s last journey in life.”
“Ustad Rashid Khan got our highest civilian award Banga Bibhushan and our Sangeet Mahasamman too. He was attached to several of our State cultural bodies in advisory capacity. My profound condolences to Soma, Armaan Khan, and Ustad’s whole family as well as to the countless students and admirers that he leaves behind in the whole world. Ustad Rashid Khan was truly a world famous classical Indian vocal artist,” she added.
Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee tweeted, “We have lost a gem… My heartfelt condolences to Ustad Rashid Khan’s family and well-wishers…Will always treasure the magical musical memories…”
According to PTI, Rashid Khan was acknowledged as the 31st generation of Sangeet Samrat Mian Tansen, and according to his official website, he is conceivably the last living legend of the Rampur Sahaswan gayaki (style of singing). From a young age, Rashid Khan was greatly affected by Hindustani classical music. He began taking music lessons from his grandmother, Inayat Hussain Khan.
For more than thirty years, he enthralled millions of fans of Hindustani vocal classical music with his mastery of the “Vilambit Khayal” gayaki. Rashid Khan demonstrated his skill in playback music in addition to his Hindustani vocal prowess, contributing to hits like My Name is Khan, Jab We Met, Isaaq, Manto, Mausam, Bapi Bari Ja, Kadambari, and Mitin Masi.
