Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan Artist Profile

Shahid Parvez Khan Mohd. Akram Khan	Profile
Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan Saheb belongs to the seventh generation of the famous Etawah gharana in Sitar - playing. He is the son of Ustad Aziz Khan, the famous musician and a noted composer, and he is the grandson of Ustad Wahid Khan, the Surbahar and Sitar virtuoso. Ustad Wahid Khan was the uncle of Ustad Vilayat Khan. Ustad Shahid Parvez was introduced to vocal music and tabla by his illustrious father, Ustad Aziz Khan, before he was initiated into Sitar playing. He was recognized as a child prodigy, and gave his first public performance at the age of eight. Perseverant in the minutest technical detail, the purity of Ragas, he gave utmost attention to the improvisation of every aspect of 'layakari'. In Ustad Shahid Parvez, we find a unique combination of the 'Gayaki' Ang (the left hand) and the 'Tantrakari' Ang (the right hand - the Mizrab). Over the years, he has created a distinct genre of instrumental music, and has evolved a distinctive style of his own. He is one of the few maestros to enjoy global reputation, - he has numerous LP records, Audio and Video Cassettes, and Compact Discs to his credit. He has been honoured with several awards, both national and international, for instance, the Sur Shringaar, and the 1997 - 98 Kumar Gandharva Sammaan. He has participated in all the major festivals in India and abroad, including the Festival of India, held in U.S., Canada, USSR, Europe, and so on. No major music festival is complete without his participation. Mohd. Akram Khan: Belongs to the famous Gharana of tabla called, Ajarara Gharana of Meerut city, which is considered one of the foremost school of Tabla, Ajarara Style is famous for its typical composition and whole composition in different rhythmic patterns. Akram Khan was born is 1965 in Meerut city. He had his initial training from Late Ustad Niazu Khan who was famous for his technique, style and guidance. Akram Khan, is fortunate to have learnt from his great grand father Ustad Mohd. Shafi Khan too. He is now under the tulelage his father Ustad Hashmat Ali Khan. He underwent formal instruction and passed the Sangeet Praveen (Master of Music) of the Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad and Sangeet Visharad Chandigarh. He also has a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce. Akram Khan performed in a music conference at a very young age. Since then, he has been participating in prestigious festivals across the country and abroad. In 1987, he performed very successfully with Ustad Vilayat Khan in Japan, and in 1992 he accompanied the maestro to the United States. He has performed before enthralled audiences at the Kennedy Centre and the Lincoln Centre in U.S.A. He was part of the celebrations for the 50 years of India's Independence in India, as well as abroad. In 1992, the President of India, Shri R. Venkataraman applauded and praised him for his remarkable support to Pt. Dabu Chauduri and Pt. Ram Narayan in a recital at the President House. In 1993, he was appointed Professor in the University of Washington Seattle. He has the distinction of having provided tabla accompaniment to some of the legendary maestroes of the world of Indian Classical Music, including Pt. Ravi Shankar. He has been participating regularly in the National Programme of Music and Annual Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan of All India Radio, a festival of great repute at the National Level. Akram is a Grade "A" Artist of All India Radio. He has been playing regularly from All India Radio ever since his childhood. The quality of his performance has won for him a respectable place in the music world as a soloist and an accompanying Artist. His performances are highly appreciated and acknowledged by his admirers and critics. Press Reviews: 'No praise would be too great for the immaculate tabla accompaniment by Akram Khan', "The Sundary Observer" 'The percussionist young Akram Khan proved to be rising star of sterling merit', "The Hindu" 'Akram Khan, a matchless tabla player of this evening', " Rastriya Sahara" 'Akram Khan?s accompaniment was highly appreciated by the audience of Banaras', "Dainik Jagran of Banaras"