Imran Khan

Heritage

Imran Khan belongs to the famous lineage of the Sikar Gharana (school of music) that has given many stalwarts to Indian classical music. He was born on 4th June 1983, at Jodhpur and is the ninth generation of Gharana. He started his training in Sitar from the age of 6-7 years under his grandfather Ustad Gulab Khan Sahab, who is both a highly acknowledged Sarangi player and vocalist of his time. He has also taken training from his father, Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan Sahab, who is a famous Sitar Player and ‘A’ grade staff artist at ALL INDIA Radio,  Jodhpur in Rajasthan . Additionally, Imran has also taken training from his uncles; the world famous renowned Sarangi player and vocalist,  Ustad Sultan Khan, who was a part of Beatles’ George Harrison and Pandit Ravi Shankar’s group, “Dark Horse” and also Ustad Nasir Khan, who is also a Sitar Player. 

He gave his first solo performance at the age of 12 in the youth festival of All India Radio, and since then he has been taking his music to concerts and festivals all over India and abroad. He has given performances in countries like Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos amongst many. He won first position and scholarship for two years in a competition organized by Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy.

With years of hard work, thoughtful creative analysis and dedication, he has developed a unique style that is distinguished for its fine sense of sur and laya (melody and rhythm).

Performances

 He has been fortunate to share the stage with his uncle, Late Ustad Sultan Khan, and tour with him for 22 concerts in different cities of India. He is has had the  honour of performing with the great vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan, the versatile singer Shanker Mahadevan, Ghazal Maestro Talat Aziz, melodious artists Richa Sharma and Madhushree Bhattacharya and also international artists like Mr.Woodnote and Eva Lazarus.

Beyond Classical

Besides being a classical music artist, he equally excels in light music; he has played for films like Mr.Hot & Mr. Cool, Utsav and played for Zubin Garg’s album (‘ya ali’ fame from the film ‘Gangster’) amongst other albums of fusion and pop music.  He was also part of MTV Coke Studio series in India, collaborating with the famous Bollywood singer, Shaan.  Additionally, he has worked for Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar’s  ‘Thums up’ (Cola) advertisement.

National and International Musician…

Imran has performed at many concerts and musical festivals throughout India and abroad and at various prestigious venues like

Nehru Center Mumbai

NCPA Mumbai

Bharat Bhavan at Bhopal,

Kamani Auditorium Delhi.

He has also performed for Prince Charles at his visit to Jodhpur Mehrangarh fort, Rajasthan

Kuala Lumpur music festival in Istana Budaya National Theater in Malaysia.

Imran the composer…

Imran is also a composer having several albums to his credit; he has worked for his uncle, the Late Ustad Sultan Khan Sahab’s last album “The Legacy” and his own album “Khwaja Saheeb”  released by India’s biggest music label T-series, with songs rendered by  some of India’s most famous singers, namely Rekha Bhardwaj, Krishna Berua, Parthiv Gohil, Kalpana Patowary, Ali Abbas amongst others.