Sultan Khan was known as one of the world’s most talented sarangi players. Sultan’s virtuosity on this difficult instrument was apparent in his eloquent phrasings and rhythmic ornamentations. A representative of the Indore gharana, his models were his grandfather Ustad Azim Khan and his father, Ustad Ghulab Khan. Originally from Kathiawar, he later lived in Bombay where he was actively involved in live concerts and film scoring. He traveled and performed internationally, and his music is available on various Indian, European and American labels.
Ustad Sultan Khan gave his first performance at the All-India Conference at the age of 11, and since then has become to be recognized on an international scale.
In November 1974, George Harrison and Ravi Shankar collaborated with some of the greatest Indian musicians of this century on an American concert tour. During their stay in San Francisco, the Indian performers were invited to do an informal concert at The Stone House, a granite room in Fairfax, California. Ustad Sultan Khan recorded an album titled Sarangi : The Music Of India.
He won numerous musical awards, including being a recipient twice of the Sangeet Natya Academy Award, also know as the President’s Award, as well as being a recipient of the Gold Medalist Award of Maharashtra, and the American Academy of Artists Award in 1998.
Ustad Sultan Khan also composed and recorded music for films, such as In Custody, and Ghandi. But, his true devotion and love was playing the classical music of India.
sultan Khan died November 27, 2011 in Mumbai, India.
Discography:
Jugalbandi (His Master’s Voice, 1971)
Young Tabla Wizard – Sarangi Maestro (Chhanda Dhara, 1987)
Sarangi The Music Of India (360° Productions, 1988)
Singing Sarangi Of Sultan Khan (Chhanda Dhara, 1988)
Sur Taal (Super Cassettes Industries Ltd., 1991)
Sarangi (Moment Records, 1991)
Sarangi (Navras, 1992)
Ragas Kaushi Kannada, Bhairvi (Navras, 1993)
In Custody – A Film By Ismael Merchant (Angel Records, 1993)
Raga Pour La Saison Des Pluies (Adès, 1993)
Thought ‘N’ Beats (T-Series, 1994)
Jugalbandi Duet Series Vol.1 (Navras, 1994)
The Art Of Sarangi (Seven Seas, 1994)
Virtuoso (Chhanda Dhara, 1995)
Raga Marwa / Bhairavi (India Archive Music, 1995)
Raga Bhoop & Dhun (Navras, 1996)
Pukaar The Echo (Navras, 2001)
Sonorous Sound of Sarangi (Chhanda Dhara, 2002)
A Drop Of The Ocean (Karuna Music, 2003)
Maestro’s Choice – Sarangi (Music Today, 2004)
Alap, Morning & Afternoon Ragas (India Archive Music, 2004)
Taras – The Longing (Navras, 2006)
Umeed (Sense World Music, 2008)
Live Programme at Savai Gandharva Music Festival, Pune (Fountain Music Company, 2008)
Mesmerizing Maestros (Saregama, 2009)
The Legacy (Worldwide Records, 2011)
The Master, with Warren Cuccurullo (Six Degrees Records, 2014)
Piya Basanti (Sony Music, 2000)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
