Murad Ali Khan

Murad Ali Khan represents one of the most respected living traditions of sarangi in India. Born into a deeply musical family in New Delhi, he is the grandson of the celebrated Moradabad sarangiya Siddiqi Ahmed Khan and the son of Ghulam Sabir Khan. Music surrounded him from childhood, as several members of his family were vocalists, tabla players, sitarists, and sarangi exponents. His early initiation came from his father, followed by rigorous training under his grandfather, whose home was known as one of the most vibrant musical spaces of its time.

Murad Ali Khan completed a diploma in sarangi from Prayag Sangeet Samiti in Allahabad and established himself as a serious musician at a young age. By his early twenties, he had already become a sought-after accompanist. His long association with Ustad Rashid Khan marked a turning point in his career, opening the way for extensive work with leading vocalists. His playing reflects the depth of the traditional sarangi style, shaped by family training and the wider influence of masters such as Ustad Sultan Khan.

He has performed at many prestigious festivals, including SPIC-MACAY’s Virasat series, Malhar Mahotsav, Kalakshetra Chennai, Aarohi Festival Mumbai, SAPTAK Festival Ahmedabad, and Saurang Parampara in New Delhi. Internationally, he has represented Indian music in Sweden, Amsterdam, Singapore, London, and at world music platforms across Europe and Asia. He is a graded artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan.

Murad Ali Khan’s artistry has been recognized with major honors, including the Gold Medal at the All India Radio Music Competition (1992), the Sarangi Ratna Award (2010), and the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi (2009). He has also been a regular presence at the Darbar Festival, performing in 2010, 2012, and 2017 with artists such as Shruti Sadolikar Katkar, Vishwanath Shirodkar, Pandit Ram Deshpande, and Manjusha Kulkarni-Patil.

Through solo performances, accompaniment, and ensemble work, Murad Ali Khan continues to carry forward the sarangi tradition of his family with clarity, discipline, and continuity, ensuring that this rare and demanding instrument remains central to Hindustani classical music.