Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan, who was undergoing treatment at a Kolkata-based hospital for prostate cancer, died at a Kolkata hospital this afternoon, officials said. The classical singer was 55. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter, according to a PTI report.
“We tried our best but failed. He passed away at around 3:45 PM,” an official of the private hospital where Khan was admitted said. The classical singer, who belongs to the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, is the great-grandson of gharana founder Inayat Hussain Khan.
“I heard about his death. This is a great loss for the entire country and the entire music fraternity. I am in a lot of pain as I still can`t believe that Rashid Khan is no more,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said at the hospital while standing beside his family members.
The chief minister said Khan will be given a gun salute and state honours before his last rites are performed on Wednesday. “His body will be kept at a mortuary today. It will be taken to Rabindra Sadan on Wednesday where his admirers can pay him last respects,” she said.
She also paid him a tribute on social media.
Deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Ustad Rashid Khan, one of the greatest exponents of Indian classical music of our times.
A hugely respected vocalist with unparalleled genius in creating music, he made us proud by settling here and making Bengal his home. He and Soma,…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 9, 2024
The musician was on ventilation. His health condition deteriorated following a cerebral attack last month.
Rashid Khan passes away, music loses a legend
His musical career started when he was 11 years old. Khan`s fusion and film numbers have also received accolades. He was awarded the Padma Shri, as well as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2006. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India`s third highest civilian award, in 2022 by the Indian Government in the field of Art.
Rashid Khan famously sang `Aaoge Jab Tum Saajna` for the film Jab We Met. It is his most popular Hindi film song. He also lent his voice to songs in films like Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, Raaz 3, Chakravyuh, Mausam and My Name is Khan.
Condolences poured in on social media after the legendary singer Rashid Khan passed away. Singers Sonu Nigam, Harshdeep Kaur, and actor Prosenjit Chatterjee paid tribute to Khan.
“We have lost a gem… My heartfelt condolences to Ustad Rashid Khan`s family and well-wishers… Will always treasure the magical musical memories,” posted actor Prosenjit Chatterjee.
We have lost a gem… My heartfelt condolences to Ustad Rashid Khan`s family and well-wishers…
Will always treasure the magical musical memories…
— Prosenjit Chatterjee (@prosenjitbumba) January 9, 2024
Extremely sad news… Ustad Rashid Khan Ji passes away… this is a huge loss to the world of music. He will always be remembered for his excellence in music and his voice will reverberate in our hearts forever 🙏🏼
Rest in Peace #RashidKhan Saab 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/4kbact6kBT
— Harshdeep Kaur (@HarshdeepKaur) January 9, 2024
View this post on Instagram His uncle Ghulam Mustafa Khan was among the first to note his musical talents, and for some time trained him in Mumbai. However, he received his main training from Nissar Hussain Khan.
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