Ustad Shujaat Khan
Ud. Shujaat Khan’s musical pedigree extends seven generations. He is the son and disciple of the legendary sitarist Ud. Vilayat Khan. His grandfather, Ud. Inayat Khan, his great-grandfather, Ud. Imdad Khan, and his great-great-grandfather, Ud. Sahebdad Khan were all leading artists of their respective generations.
He belongs to the Imdad Khani Gharana and his style of playing sitar known as the gayaki ang is imitative of the subtleties of the human voice.
Khan’s musical career began at the age of three when he began practicing on a specially made small sitar. By the age of six, he was recognized as a child prodigy and began formal performances. Now one of the most sought-after sitarists, he has performed at all of the prestigious music festivals in India and has toured extensively throughout the world. He has captivated audiences with his unique style of sitar playing, his melodious voice, and his intuitive and spontaneous approach to rhythm.
“The Rain,” his album featuring the Indo-Persian Ghazal ensemble, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Traditional World Music Album.