Ghulam Abbas Khan - In 2007, I Performed In A Special Concert Held At Rashtrapati Bhawan In Front Of The Honorable President Of India, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Classical & Ghazal Vocalist, India)

I Started Singing Professionally At The Age Of 21, & Performed Globally For The Last Of 35 Years & Travelled 27 Countries For Concerts

"Guru bin Gyan Nahi aavat" so please learn properly under some well known Guru. TALEEM and RIYAZ are the MOOL MANTRAS to become a good artist. 

1.Tell us more about your background and journey. 

I was born in an eminent family of Indian Classical music which is known as Rampur Sahaswan Gharana. 

My late father Padmashri Ustad Ghulam Sadiq Khan Sahab was a great Indian Classical Vocalist of India. And my Nana Ji was the very first recipient of the Padmabhushan Award in Khayal Gaayeki.

So musically I am blessed. But I had to do so much hard work to carry on this great tradition and legacy of my famous Gharana. 

I started learning Hindustani Classical Vocal from the age of 7 under the guidance of my late grandfather Ustad Ghulam Jaafar Khan and later on with my father Ustad Ghulam Sadiq Khan. 

I started performing from the age of 9 in my primary school and then on the stage from the age of 12.

I had to do hours and hours of riyaz to keep the standard of my family tradition. 

I became a fully professional singer at the age of 21. I have been performing globally for the last 35 years and have travelled to 27 countries for my concerts. I have released more than 15 albums of Hindustani Classical Vocal, Ghazal, Semi classical and Sufi.

I have received many prestigious awards for my contributions to Indian Classical music. I have trained more than 100 students in this fine arts through personal and online training worldwide. I am not only a vocalist but also a composer. I have composed music for Bollywood and many private albums. 

I also write poetry and have released a collection of original Ghazals. 

I have created six new Raags in Indian Classical music known as Raag Mohini Bhairav, Raag Moh Bihag, Raag Viyogini, Raag Raseshwari, Raag Mandvi Todi and Raag Rasik Palasi.

I have created more than 500 compositions of Classical music, Ghazals and other genres. 

2 . When did you first decide you wanted to pursue music and how did you start? 

I decided to become a professional singer at the age of 20 and started performing professionally at 21.

It all started naturally because music is my family tradition. 

3. Who is your favourite artist and why?

My most favourite artist is my legendary father Late Padmashri Ustad Ghulam Sadiq Khan. He is my favourite not because he was my father but because of his singing style. It was a perfect combination of skills, emotions and innovations.

Other than my father I am a big fan of my father in law Late Padmavibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Sahab and Late Mohammad Rafi Sahab. 

4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a singer?

Music needs lots of discipline and Riyaz. Once you are well trained in your genre you have to work hard to create your identity. 

There are thousands of opportunities worldwide depending on your genre of music. 

Nowadays social media has created a vast platform for newcomers. If you have something unique in your music you will surely get opportunities. But you have to work hard to sustain yourself in this field for a longer time. 

5. Is format training required or can one train themselves purely based on talent?

If you want to do great in this profession you must take formal training under some good Guru. It is extremely important. Because talent alone won't be sufficient to carry on and sustain for a longer time in this profession where there are thousands and thousands of artists are struggling to create their name and stay in the market. 

6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists? 

My simple advice is "Guru bin Gyan Nahi aavat" so please learn properly under some well known Guru. TALEEM and RIYAZ are the MOOL MANTRAS to become a good artist. 

7. Which is your favourite book and why?

My favourite book is 'Anmol Kahaniyaan' by Munshi Premchand because his stories were the mirror of our Indian society.

- Ghulam Abbas Khan

Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan is an eminent and internationally acclaimed Hindustani Classical and Ghazal Vocalist. He belongs to the prestigious family of Hindustani Classical Vocalists, the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana that owes its allegiance to the tradition of Mian Tansen.

Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan also happens to be the grandson of Late Ustad Mushtaq Husain Khan Sahab, the very first recipient of the Padma Bhushan Award (In Hindustani Classical Vocal Category).

In 2007, he performed in a special concert held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in front of the Honorable President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious Senior Fellowship Award from the Department of Culture, Ministry of Human Resources of India for the research in Indian Classical Vocal.

- Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani