Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Alla Rakha

Role / Field:

Iconic Indian tabla maestro, pivotal in introducing Hindustani music to the West.

Born:

1919-04-29

Died:

2000-02-03

Century / Era:

1919s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Alla Rakha Qureshi (29 April 1919 – 3 February 2000) was an Indian tabla player who specialised in Hindustani classical music. Widely revered as one of history's most iconic players of the tabla, belonging to Punjab gharana of tabla players. He was a frequent accompanist of sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar and was largely responsible for introducing tabla to the Western audience. Allah Rakha Qureshi was born on 29 April 1919 in Ghagwal village in the Jammu Province of the princely kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir under British Raj; today located in the Samba District of the union territory of the same name in India.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His mother tongue was Dogri and his family were Muslim Dogras, although most of the Dogra clan around them were Hindus. Growing up on a farm, Ustad Alla Rakha was always in awe of music, praising the travelling musicians he would occasionally have the opportunity to witness. His father, at that time, looked down upon singing or learning to play a musical instrument as a profession for his boy, due to his family's origins as Dogras of Jammu. At the age of 12, Ustad Alla Rakha ran away from home to stay with his uncle in the nearby Gurdaspur...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1919 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1919
• April 29 (04-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 29
• 2000 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2000
• February 3 (02-03) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 3

Frequently Asked Questions about Alla Rakha