Sabri Khan


Ustad Sabri Khan was an Indian sarangi player, who was descended on both sides of his family from a line of distinguished musicians.

Early life

Sabri Khan was born on 21 May 1927 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. He belonged to the Sainia Gharana. This Gharana traces the tradition of its music back to Mian Tansen, the great vocalist in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He had been initiated into sarangi-playing by his grandfather, Ustad Haji Mohammed Khan and later continued his training under his father Ustad Chajju Khan, both accomplished sarangi exponents of their time. Khan also learned some important and rare techniques of playing from his uncle Ustad Laddan Khan of Rampur.

Music career

Sabri Khan toured extensively across the world and performed in Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Japan, USSR, Russia, US, Canada, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Mexico. The credit of introducing the Sarangi to American and European audiences goes to Sabri Khan. He also played a duet with the renowned Yehudi Menuhin and was invited as a visiting professor by the University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
In appreciation of his contribution to the Classical Music of India, Ustad Sabri Khan received numerous honours and awards, including the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award, UP Sangeet Natak Academy Award, National Sangeet Natak Academy Award, the prestigious Padma Shree Award and Padma Bhushan Award by the Hon. President of India – Government of India.

Family

Ustad Sabri Khan Sahib has four sons- Sarwar Sabri, Jamal Sarwar Sabri, Kamal Sabri and the youngest Gulfam Sabri and five daughters. He has many grandsons playing musical instruments: Suhail Yusuf Khan, Faisal Khan, Shariq Khan, Junaid and Nabeel Khan.
In the early morning on 1 December 2015, Ustad Sabri Khan died surrounded by his family at his home in New Delhi.

Awards and honours

Sabri Khan received several national awards, including the Padma Shri in 1992 and the Padma Bhushan in 2006.