Manji Khan
Encyclopedia
Ustad Badruddin "Manji" Khan (1888–1937) was a Hindustani Classical vocalist
of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
founded by his father, Utd. Alladiya Khan.
and younger Utd. Shamsuddin "Bhurji" Khan
, Utd. Manji Khan was treated and chosen by Utd. Alladiya Khan as the foremost inheritor and disciple of the Jaipur-Atrauli gayaki.
He was called "Manji" because he was his father's Manjhala (middle) son.
. The influence of Utd. Rahimat Khan's style in Utd. Bhurji Khan's singing earned him the wrath of his father, and thus gave up singing for a while. He resumed it later, under his father's conditions. but his career was cut short by his early death.
Utd. Manji Khan was noted for his serene face while singing, and earned popularity amongst younger listeners because of his choice to punctuate the more serious classical fare with exquisitely sung lighter pieces.
became Utd. Manji Khan's disciple just before Khan's death. Later, Mansur learned under Bhurji Khan. Utd. Gulubhai Jasdanwalla also learned from Utd. Manji Khan for several years.
It was through the initiative of a friend that Utd. Manji Khan noticed Pt. Mansur. Already trained in the Gwalior style, Pt. Mansur was able to absorb the rich Jaipur-Atrauli style of Utd. Manji Khan. Pt. Mansur is Utd. Manji Khan's sole musical inheritor.
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
Jaipur-Atrauli gharana
The Jaipur-Atrauli gharana is a Khayal-based stylized singing family-hood , founded by Utd. Alladiya Khan in the late 19th century...
founded by his father, Utd. Alladiya Khan.
Early life
Utd. Manji Khan was the second son of Utd. Alladiya Khan. Because of the health ailments of his other two brothers, elder Utd. Nasiruddin "Badeji" KhanBadeji Khan
Ustad Nasiruddin "Badeji" Khan was a Hindustani Classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana founded by his father, Utd. Alladiya Khan.-Early life:...
and younger Utd. Shamsuddin "Bhurji" Khan
Bhurji Khan
Ustad Shamsuddin "Bhurji" Khan was a Hindustani Classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana founded by his father, Utd. Alladiya Khan.-Early life:...
, Utd. Manji Khan was treated and chosen by Utd. Alladiya Khan as the foremost inheritor and disciple of the Jaipur-Atrauli gayaki.
He was called "Manji" because he was his father's Manjhala (middle) son.
Musical style and training
Utd. Manji Khan was heavily influenced by Utd. Rahimat Khan, a popular vocalist at the time, of the Gwalior GharanaGwalior gharana
The Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest Khyal Gharanas. The rise of the Gwalior Gharana started with the reign of the great Mughal emperor Akbar...
. The influence of Utd. Rahimat Khan's style in Utd. Bhurji Khan's singing earned him the wrath of his father, and thus gave up singing for a while. He resumed it later, under his father's conditions. but his career was cut short by his early death.
Utd. Manji Khan was noted for his serene face while singing, and earned popularity amongst younger listeners because of his choice to punctuate the more serious classical fare with exquisitely sung lighter pieces.
Students
Pt. Mallikarjun MansurMallikarjun Mansur
Mallikarjun Bheemarayappa Mansur was an Indian classical singer of the khyal style in the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. He received the three national Padma Awards: Padma Shri in 1970, Padma Bhushan in 1976, and Padma Vibhushan in 1992.-Early life:...
became Utd. Manji Khan's disciple just before Khan's death. Later, Mansur learned under Bhurji Khan. Utd. Gulubhai Jasdanwalla also learned from Utd. Manji Khan for several years.
It was through the initiative of a friend that Utd. Manji Khan noticed Pt. Mansur. Already trained in the Gwalior style, Pt. Mansur was able to absorb the rich Jaipur-Atrauli style of Utd. Manji Khan. Pt. Mansur is Utd. Manji Khan's sole musical inheritor.