The last remains of Music Maestro Sultan Khan lie beside his father’s grave at Jodhpur.
The Sarangi player of worldwide acclaim who equally proved his versatility as a singer is survived by his wife Bano, son Sabir Khan and daughters Reshma and Sehra.
His mortal remains have been laid to rest beside his father and mentor Ustad Gulab khan’s grave. He was born on April 15, 1940 at Sikar in Rajasthan.
He was not just a name in the world of Indian classical and the Music industry. Some of the music directors such as Ghulam Mohammed, Naushad, Khayyam all worked with him at different times.
Epic movies like Umrao Jaan and Pakeezah saw him spread the magic of the Sarangi.
Big brother, Gangajal and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam showed a different aspect of the master.
Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi was yet another masterpiece which experienced the Midas touch of Sultan Khan. Khan’s style has been savoured internationally through his collaboration with Zakir Hussain and Bill Laswell. The three comprised the fusion group, Tabla Beat Science.
From ‘Piya Basanti’ to ‘Legacy’ Khan had around 200 albums to his credit. A humble man who knew his roots true to the core, always believed that music was a way to mould and bring positive change in the masses.
Reminiscing his contribution,those who knew him say that he always was strongly attached to his roots. The point that he always stressed on was since he was not well educated his music would do the talking.
He was awarded India’s third highest civilian honour (Padma Bhushan) in 2010. Having collaborated with some of the biggest names in the Indian and International music scene, Khan gave his first performance at the All-India Conference at the age of 11, and has performed on an international scale with Ravi Shankar on George Harrison’s 1974 Dark Horse World Tour.
He contributed vocals and Sarangi to Gavin Harrison’s 1998 solo album Sanity & Gravity. Having collaborated with the crème de la crème of the music business and having mentored and collaborated with fresh talent he has left an everlasting impact on all
He died of kidney failure at the age of 71. He left for his heavenly abode on following renal failure at Mumbai.
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