Fareed Hassan Khan

Ustad Fareed Hassan Khan (also spelled Fareed Hasan Khan) is a prominent representative of the Dilli Gharana of Hindustani classical music. He is the eldest son of vocalist Nizamuddin Khan and comes from a family deeply rooted in North Indian classical traditions. He is the paternal grandson of the renowned sarangi maestro, Ustad Mohammed Ahmed Banney Khan, and also the grandson of the legendary vocalist, “Taan Samrat,” Ustad Naseer Ahmed Khan.

His initial musical training began under Ustad Zafar Ahmed Khan, followed by advanced guidance from his father. He later received intensive taleem from the late Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, the Khalifa (head exponent) of the Dilli Gharana, which played a crucial role in shaping his stylistic grounding and repertoire.

Artistically, Fareed Hassan Khan is known for his imaginative alaap, strong rhythmic engagement, and fluid taan patterns. His voice is noted for its clarity, mellifluous tone, and an effective range spanning approximately three octaves. His repertoire includes classical Khayal as well as semi-classical and devotional forms such as Thumri, Sufi kalaam, and Ghazal.

He gained wider public recognition after appearing on the television music program Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (2010), where his performances introduced classical aesthetics to a broader audience. In the field of cinema, his rendition of the traditional bandish “Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson,” attributed to Amir Khusro, was shared with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and later featured in the film Heeramandi (2024).

Ustad Fareed Hassan Khan frequently performs in jugalbandi with his brother Mehboob Hussain Khan, and together they present duet concerts rooted in the Dilli Gharana tradition. He has performed at several major classical music festivals, including Baba Harbhallabh Sangeet Sammellan, Saptak Music Festival, and Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammellan.