Shafique Khan

Shafique Khan, born on 30 June 1968, is an Indian classical sitar player belonging to a renowned family of musicians associated with the Dharwad musical tradition. He represents the sixth generation of sitarists in his family, which has played a significant role in the propagation of sitar music across regions south of the Vindhyas.

He received his initial and advanced musical training from his father, the late Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, a respected sitarist and former Head of the Faculty of Instrumental Music at the Karnatak University College of Music. His grandfather, Sitar Ratna Rahimat Khan, was a legendary sitar and rudra veena artist and a disciple of Ustad Bande Ali Khan, one of the most influential figures in instrumental Hindustani music. This strong lineage provided Shafique Khan with sustained and traditional grooming from a young age.

He is the younger brother of Ustad Bale Khan and Chhote Rahimat Khan, and the twin brother of Rafique Khan, who is also a sitarist and composer. Performances in sitar jugalbandi with his twin brother have been especially well received by audiences and critics.

Musically, Shafique Khan’s playing reflects the influence of his mentors and family tradition. His style combines Gayaki Ang, which seeks to emulate vocal expression on the sitar, with Tantakari Ang, the structured instrumental approach.

Among his recognitions, he has been conferred the Surmani Award by the Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Mumbai, and the Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi National Award by Kala Vikas Parishat in 2016. His performance career has included concerts in Germany and the United States, in addition to appearances across India.

Currently, Shafique Khan is associated with All India Radio, Dharwad (Karnataka) as a Top-graded artist, and continues to contribute to the Hindustani classical music tradition through performance.