`Aaoge Jab Tum` Singer Music Maestro Rashid Khan Passes Away

By -

JANUARY 09,2024

In shocking news for the music fraternity all across the world, Ustad Rashid Khan has passed away in a private hospital while battling cancer at the age of 55. He was undergoing treatment for prostrate cancer in a hospital in Kolkata for the last month. Since yesterday, as his health started to deteriorate, he has been put on a ventilator.

Ustad Rashid Khan was a pioneering classical vocalist who was a recipient of the Padma Shri, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the Padma Bhushan for his extraordinary contributions to the field of music. He is best known for singing the song Aaoge Jab Tum, from Jab We Met which has become a modern classic.

Even in his last days at the hospital, Rashid Khan used to practice his singing whenever he could.

An official from the hospital said, "We tried our best but failed. He passed away at around 3:45 PM." Expressing her condolences on his death, West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee said, "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."

Who is Ustad Rashid Khan?

Belonging to the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana, Ustad Rashid Khan was the great-grandson of Inayat Hussain Khan, the founder of the gharana. He got his early training in music from Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan. Initially, Rashid Khan didn't show much interest in music as a child. However, his uncle, Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, recognized his musical talents and put him through rigorous training.

He used to do a riyaaz of singing a single note for hours in order to master it. It was only when he turned 18 that Rashid Khan truly began to understand the depths of music and also enjoy the rigorous training.

At the age of 11, he delivered his first performance at a concert. Rashid Khan was also known for blending classical Hindustani music with simpler musical genres. He also collaborated with western musicians, like Louis Bank, to create experimental sounds.

The death of Ustad Rashid Khan has surely caused a lot of shock to his admirers. Yet, his lifelike voice will continue to penetrate the hearts of many for years to come.

Read More: 4 Memorable Songs of Ustad Rashid Khan