Ustad Abdul Karim Khan (1872-1937)

Abdul Karim Khan was the founder of the Kirana Gharana of classical music. Kirana Gharana is one of the most prominent Indian classical khayal gharanas and is associated mostly with the perfect intonation of notes. Ustad ji was born in Kirana, a village in Uttar Pradesh on November 11 in 1872. Known to create a sublime atmosphere through his soothing voice, he had a great musical career from the very beginning.

Abdul Karim Khan came from a family of Hindu musicians who later embraced Islam. Ustad initiated his taalim (music education) from the age of 5 under the guidance of his father, Kale Khan, an outstanding Khayal singer, and his uncle Abdul Khan. He gave his first public concert at the tender age of 11.

Abdul Karim Khan became court singer in the Royal Court of Baroda, Baroda was ruled by Gaekwads. He was awarded Sangeet Ratna by the Maharaja of Mysore.On the way to Mysore, he used to stay with his brother in Dharwad, where he taught his most famous disciple, Sawai Gandharva. In 1900, for eight months, he taught Kesarbai Kerkar, who would go on to be one of the 20th century's most renowned vocalists.

In 1913, Abdul Karim Khan established the "Arya Sangeet Vidyalaya" and taught underprivileged students. In 1917, he started a branch in Mumbai. Later, in 1920, he permanently settled in the musical city of Miraj. Khan Sahib had a very uniquely resonant voice. He would often practice sitting inside a well and would try to project his voice based on the water level in the well. He had developed his own technique of balancing resonances in his voice as per the space where he performed.

Abdul Karim was a man of simple and frugal habits, non-ostentatious and kindhearted. He did not bully or ill-treat his pupils and those who lived with him enjoyed parental care and attention. Abdul Karim khan 's  disciples include Pandit Balkrishnabuwa Kapileshwari, Ganapat Rao Gurav, Roshan Ara Begum, Sureshbabu Mane, Vishwanathbuwa Jadhav and Sawai Gandharva was the Guru of Bhimsen Joshi and many more. He was on his way to Pondicherry when he experienced severe pain in the chest at Chingleput. On 27 October 1937, he died peacefully on the platform at Singaperumalkoil railway station. He spent the last few hours of his life remembering God, offering Namaz and reciting Kalma in the Raga Darbari.