Sitar Maestro Ustad Bale Khan

Ustad Bale Khan (28 August 1942 - 2 December 2007) is widely acclaimed as one of India’s finest sitarists. He hails from a family steeped In music. His grand father Rahimat Khan is revered not just his music but his imaginative and definitive rearrangement of the sitar strings. Sitar Ratna Rahimat Khan was a deciple of the great Ustad Bande Ali Khan, and it is this illustrious tradition that Bale Khan carries forward.
Ustad A Karim Khan, Bale Khan’s father wanted him to learn vocal music but Bale Khan’s heart was in the sitar. After six years of rigorous vocal training, he quietly switched over to his true love. It was a decision his father could not dispute, the boy showed the kind of promise and dexterity that would take ordinary sitarists years to achive.
As a French critic said, Bale Khan has ever breathed and lived music. He is an institution in Dharwad, where he lived and taught. He had held audiences spellbound in such citadels of music as Miraj, Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur and Calcutta, not to speak of Bangalore and Mysore closer home.
He has toured abroad and performed in London, Manchester, Birmigham and Paris. While in London, he scored the background for BBC’s telefilm Gautam Budha, and composed music for the stage production ‘Seasons of India’.
In 1987, the Karnataka Government honored Bale Khan with its state award, he was a member of Karnataka Nrithya Academy in 1981 – 86 and 1995 – 98. During this period, Bale Khan contributed significantly to the cultural policy and performed regularly on radio and television as an ‘A’ grade artiste.
He received Karnataka Kalashri award in 2001.
His playing exemplifies the best of sitar music, unhurried alaap, rhythmical jod, and superbly sculpted jhaala. He weaves pattern after pattern through these stages and created magical narratives, critics described as pure and serene, close to the singing style.
Connoisseurs say he is a true descendant of Sitar Ratna Rahimat Khan in his ability to explore the gayaki ang.

On his Death Anniversary, Hindustani Classical Music And Everything pays rich tributes to him for his contributions to the Indian Classical Music. 💐🙏

Biography Credits : sitarratna.com