Ustad Allauddin Khan
Meet the Indian classical musician of his generation. The one who took the Esraj – already a rare instrument of India – and showed the world what it could really do.
The Prodigy Who Started at Six
Arshad Khan’s story starts early. Like, really early. At just six years old, he was already practicing on a specially made small Esraj. Think about that for a second – most kids that age are learning to tie their shoes, and he was learning one of the most challenging rare instruments of India.
By the time he hit ten years old, this child prodigy was giving public performances. Not recitals in school halls – actual public performances where people came specifically to hear him play.
That’s the kind of dedication and natural talent we’re talking about.
Son and Disciple of a Master
Arshad Khan isn’t just any Esraj player. He’s the son and disciple of Ustad Allauddin Khan – the legendary musician who brought Esraj into the ghazal world and created his own unique “Dilruba Esraj” style. Imagine learning from the person who literally pioneered a whole new use for your instrument. That’s Arshad’s background. He didn’t just inherit an instrument – he inherited a legacy, a style, a mission to keep the Esraj alive and relevant.
Delhi Gharana and Gayaki Ang
Arshad Khan belongs to the Delhi gharana – one of the most respected schools of Indian classical music. His style is known as gayaki ang, which basically means his playing mimics the human voice.
This is huge in Indian classical music. The voice is considered the most perfect instrument, and when an instrumentalist can make their instrument “sing” like a human voice – that’s the highest compliment. That’s mastery.
His approach to rhythm? Largely intuitive, fresh, and spontaneous. He’s not rigid or mechanical. Every performance has life in it, surprises in it. He keeps audiences on their toes, always wondering what beautiful thing he’ll do next.
The Voice That Sings
Here’s something special: Arshad Khan has an exceptional voice. He uses it for singing folk songs and poetry, adding another dimension to his artistry.
So you’re not just getting an instrumentalist – you’re getting a complete musician who understands music from both the instrumental and vocal perspectives. That understanding feeds back into his Esraj playing, making it even more expressive.
From Serials to Silver Screen
Arshad hasn’t just stuck to classical concerts. He’s brought the Esraj into mainstream Indian entertainment, making the instrument heard by millions who might never attend a classical performance.
Television Serials
He’s played in some of the most popular shows on Indian TV:
- Coke Studio MTV
- Unplugged MTV
- Rang Rasiya (2014)
- Be Intaha (2014)
- Balika Vadhu
- Bhagya Vidhta
- Badhe Achche Lagte Hai
- Na Ana Is Des Lado
- And many more
Bollywood Films
His Esraj has been featured in:
- My Name is Khan
- I Hate Luv Story
- Bhag Milkha Bhag
- Aurangzeb
- Chandni Chok to China
- Kai Po Che
- Aaloo Chaat
- Tublight
- Dangal (yes, THAT Dangal)
- Raazi
- Burfi
- Suitable Boy
- Manmarziyaan
- Ghoomar
- Metro …in Dino
- And more
Think about that reach. Millions of people heard Esraj in these films without even realizing it. That’s how you keep a rare instrument relevant – you sneak it into the soundtrack of popular culture.
The Company He Keeps
When you look at who Arshad Khan has accompanied and collaborated with, it’s basically a who’s-who of Indian music legends:
Ghazal and Classical Legends
- Ustad Salamat Ali Khan Sahab
- Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan Sahab
- Guru Jagjit Singh Ji
- Adnan Sami
- Sonu Nigam
- Rekha Bhardwaj
- Shafqat Ali Khan
- Sharafat Ali Khan
- Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan
- Shankar Mahadevan
- Shreya Ghoshal
- Salim Sulaiman
- Ustad Tari Khan
- Rekha Bhardwaj
- Sona Mohapatra
- Kavita Seth
- Hari Haran
- Chandan Dass
- Ashok Ghosla
- Suresh Wadkar
- Talat Aziz
- And many more…
International Recognition
He even played with George Harrison’s Asian Music Circle and was featured in “Within You Without You”. That’s The Beatles connection, right there. The Esraj going global.
What Makes Arshad Special
Okay, so we’ve established he’s incredibly accomplished. But what makes his playing special?
It’s that unique style he’s developed – a blend of his father’s pioneering work, the Delhi gharana tradition, and his own intuitive, spontaneous approach. His Esraj doesn’t just play notes – it tells stories, conveys emotions, becomes a voice.
His tone is completely recognizable. Put on a recording of Arshad Khan playing, and within seconds, people who know will say “That’s Arshad.”
That’s artistry. That’s when technique transcends into art.
Keeping the Flame Alive
Here’s the thing about Arshad Khan that goes beyond his technical skill or impressive resume: he’s keeping the Esraj alive.
Every film he plays in, every serial, every collaboration with a contemporary artist – that’s exposure for this rare instrument. Kids watching Dangal heard Esraj. People streaming Coke Studio heard Esraj. Fans of Shreya Ghoshal or Sonu Nigam heard Esraj.
Most of them didn’t even know what they were hearing, but they felt it. And maybe, just maybe, some of them got curious enough to look it up and discovered this rare instrument of India exists.
That’s how traditions survive – not by hiding in concert halls for purists, but by evolving, adapting, showing up in unexpected places while maintaining their essence.
The Next Chapter
Arshad Khan represents the modern face of Esraj – rooted in tradition, trained in the classical way, but unafraid to take the instrument into new spaces. From ghazals to Bollywood, from classical concerts to MTV Unplugged, from accompanying legends to creating his own legacy.
He’s proof that rare doesn’t have to mean irrelevant. That classical doesn’t have to mean inaccessible. That you can honor your guru and your gharana while still pushing forward.
The Esraj is lucky to have him. Indian music is lucky to have him.
And if you’ve never heard Arshad Khan play, you’re missing something beautiful.