Entry for September 09, 2006
For ages, Indian classical music scenario has seen emergence of prodigies from the different section of the society. With a wondrous variance in vocal styles and traditions, certain gharanas has seen the participation of very few women performers, the famed Agra-Atrauli Gharana is one them.
Purnima Sen is one of the very few feminine exponents of Agra-Atrauli Gharana, who is relentlessly carrying on the rich and melodious echoes of Agra-Atrauli Gharana, which first came into being during Mogul Emperor Akbar's period. It is but a fact that due to the ceaseless efforts by Purnima Sen and her fellow performers and students, the melodious vocal traditions of Agra-Atrauli Gharana has not lost into oblivion.
Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan
Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan Sahab was one of the pillars of Agra Gharana. He was the son of Ustad Nathan Khan and was born around 1890. He lost his father at an early age and was adopted by Ustad Mahamad Baksh. He received talim from many ustads and eventually became a great name. He was a court musician of Jaipu and Mysore for sometime. He also stayed in Mimbai for a long time and taught many students. He received the title of "Sangeetacharya" from Mysore Darbar and "Sangeet Ratnakar" from Allahabad Sangeet Parishad. In later years he was appointed as a Sangeet Salhakar (Advisor) to All India Radio. He had composed many kheyals specially in rare ragas in the pen name of Pran Pia. He was also a poet and composed poems and gazals in the name of "Shafaque". His eldest son Ustad Yunus Hussain Khan kept up the tradition after his demise in 1962
Ustad Sharafat Hussain Khan
Sharafat was a child prodigy, who rose meteorically after his adoption by Faiyyaz Khan. At the age of eight, he made a stunning debut at the influential Matunga Music Circle in Mumbai. This triggered off invitations to perform at the All India Music Conference at Allahabad, and the All Bengal Conference in Kolkata. When he was eleven, he was hailed as the "Rising Sun" of vocalism at the Gaya Conference.By the age of twelve, he has made his first disc with HMV/ EMI, and topped the prestigious Baroda State Music Competition.
Sharafat was only 20, when Faiyyaz Khan died. Thereafter, he started studying with his maternal uncle, Ustad Ata Hussain Khan of the allied Atrauli - Bangile Lineage. Soon thereafter, he acquired a third guide - his scholarly father - in - law, Vilayat Hussain Khan of the Agra Lineage. Thus, like his foster - father, Sharafat Hussain came to represent a magnificent confluence of three intimately connected lineages - Agra, Atrauli, and Rangile.
While still in his 30s, Sharafat became amongst the busiest vocalists in India, and enjoyed a continuous run of sucess for two decades (1965 - 1985). Along with popularity came the honours. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the Performing Arts Academy of Uttar Pradesh (Northern Provinces) and decorated with the Padma Shree by the President of India. In 1985, Sangeet Natak Akademi ( The National Performing Arts Academy) held a special ceremony to honour him shortly before he succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 55. He also got a Tansen Award.
