Category Archives: Biographies

Zohaib Hassan Khan (b.1987) is a sarangi-player who associates himself with the Amritsari gharana. He learnt how to play the sarangi from his uncle, Ustad Bakhtawar Hussain Khan Sahib, as his whole family played the sarangi. His ancestors included the noted Ustad Hussain Bakhsh Khan Sahib, Ustad Peeru Khan Sahib, Ustad Nathu Khan Sahib andContinue reading “Zohaib Hassan”

Muhammad Asif (b. 1951) is a Pakistani luthier and proprietor of Bombay Music Store, one of the last sitar shops in Lahore. Opened by his father Muhammad Azim c. 1925, the store supplied Radio Pakistan and various artists with a range of string instruments: from tanpuras to sitars. Muhammad Asif claims that his ancestors madeContinue reading “Muhammad Asif”

Saleem Haider (b. 1949) is a music director who was born in Lahore. His teacher was the famous Akhtar Hussain Akhiyan, who worked on films such as Gulbadan, Aas Paas, etc. His paternal family were stage artists while his maternal family included famed sarangi player Ustad Nathu Khan, who was his uncle. His grandfather andContinue reading “Saleem Haider”

Ziauddin (b. 1945) is a sitar-maker who was born in British India. He is the son of the famous sitar-maker Ustad Sher Muhammad Khan Sahib, who taught him how to make instruments when he was in fifth grade. Amongst his father’s students, Rikhi Ram, who supplied sitars to the Beatles, features perhaps most prominently. Ziauddin’sContinue reading “Ziauddin”

Dilawar Jameel (b. 1989) is a tabla-maker who was born in Lahore, though his family comes from Rongal Pind, a village near the city of Wazirabad. His grandfather used to be based in the village and later on moved to Lahore His family has traditionally been making instruments for a long time, with him statingContinue reading “Dilawar Jameel”