There was unending applause and ovation and the news spread like wild fire across North and Western India. How else can one explain that a living legend of music, an acknowledged master in practically all branches of vocal classical music.Īn armed and fortified Ustad Faiyyaz Khan (who was a veritable storehouse of both Dhamars and Dhrupads) gave his maiden performance of Alap in Darbari kanada in a royal concert at Baroda Durbar in 1930 followed by brilliant Dhamars and khayals.

The world of Indian Classical music, with all its grace and charm, can be a queer place indeed.

There was naturally a sense of consternation all round but the Nizam having come to learn about Khan Sahib’s identity loudly said that he had seated Faiyyaz Khan in the right place for he was a “King in his own right in the field of music.” Once at a musical festival in mid-twenties at Nizam’s Durbar in Hyderabad, being mistaken (on account of his personality, grace and presence) the Nizam personally led him to the special enclosure meant for rulers and royal guests and seated him close to his own throne chair. He was fond of many good things of life like good food and he had a particular weakness for “attar” or perfume which he regularly used himself and greeted his musically near and dear ones with it. Standing about six feet in height, with a complexion of gold and emerald dressed in gold embroidered bhar-jari sherwani and chust pyjama, a flowing mouchtache, longish eyebrows, shinning eyes, and a flowing colorful turban or “safa” on his head-these conjured up to make a personality whose presence was at once compelling and attractive. Before we come to his music and start his life story, a word or two about his magnetic personality and great personal charm may not be out of place. He was a many-sided genius both in his music, his personality, his magnanimity and simplicity of mind, which indeed are the qualities of the truly great. The living legend of vocal music that Ustad Faiyyaz Khan was in his own lifetime and later makes it rather difficult to attempt any essay on his life and music. Ustad Faiyaz Khan – The Biography of Indian Classical Vocalist

Bin roye songs safa band