Ustad Faiyaz Khan was born In Sikandara, a small town near Agra in 1880. His musical lineage traces back to Haji Sujaan Khan who was a court musician in Akbar’s court. His father, Safdar Hussain died just three months before his birth. Up to the age of 25, his maternal grandfather, Ghulam Abbas taught him music. Apart from Ghulam Hussain, he got Talim under different Gurus like Ustad Mehboob Khan (Daraspiya), Natthan Khan and Fida Hussain Khan. Without any doubt, Faiyaz Khan was one of the most influential vocalists of the twentieth century. Faiyaz Khan was a highly versatile vocalist and his canvas was not restricted only to Khayal. He could sing Dhrupad, Thumri and Ghazal also with the same ease and expertise. Apart from Dhrupad Talim from Ghulam Abbas Khan, he got Dhamar Talim from his grand-uncle, Ustad Kallan Khan. Ghulam Abbas Khan took the young Faiyaz on a musical pilgrimage, visiting all the important centres of music.
This also exposed Faiyaz to the live music of the greatest contemporary musicians. Faiyaz Khan’s music was a fine blend of nuances of Agra Gharana and his musical expression. Ustad Faiyaz Khan’s musical career began at a very young age. In his early twenties, he was performing frequently at all the major musical centres in the country like Mumbai, Calcutta etc. Ustad Faiyaz Khan was blessed with a sonorous voice which was very expressive. Though the range of his voice was limited, it was very lively within the given range. He gave due importance to both tradition and emotion in his renderings. As many of his admirers remember, he could keep the audience enthralled for a long time just by doing Alapi. In the later parts of his life, restrictions came on his singing because of an attack of typhoid and then TB. Ustad Faiyaz Khan passed away on 5th November 1950 in Baroda and his tomb still rests there.
I do not own the copyright to any of the records used in this video. These music records will be copyrighted by those who have actual rights over them. I express my thanks and gratitude to all the collectors of records and those who made them available to music lovers!
Links to some songs of Ustad Faiyaz Khan
1. • Faiyyaz Khan - Raag Da...
2. • Best of Hindustani Cla...
3. • Ustad Faiyaz Khan Sahe...
4. • Thade Rahiyo O Baanke ...
5. • Ustad Faiyaz Khan- Jhi...