Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Amir Khan (singer)

Role / Field:

Pioneering Hindustani classical singer, founder of the Indore gharana.

Born:

1912-08-15

Died:

1974-02-13

Century / Era:

1912s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Ustad Amir Khan (pronounced [əˈmiːr xaːn]; 15 August 1912 – 13 February 1974) was an Indian singer and musician in the Hindustani classical tradition. He was the founder of the Indore gharana. Amir Khan was born in a family of musicians in Kalanaur, India. His father, Shahmir Khan, a sarangi and veena player of the Bhendibazaar gharana, served at the court of the Holkars of Indore.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His grandfather, Change Khan, was a singer in the court of Mughal emperor Bahadurshah Zafar. Amir Ali's mother died when he was nine years old. He had a younger brother, Bashir, who went on to become a sarangi player at the Indore station of All India Radio. He was initially trained in the sarangi by his father. However, seeing his interest in vocal music, his father gradually devoted more time to vocal training, focusing on the merukhand technique.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Amir Khan was exposed at an early age to many different styles, since just about every musician who visited Indore would come to their house, and there would be mehfils at their place on a regular basis. He also learned the basics of tabla playing from one of his maternal uncles, who was a tabla player. Amir Khan moved to Bombay...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. E. van Vogt — Contemporary (Born in 1912) (1912): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Adolf Galland — Contemporary (Born in 1912) (1912): German Luftwaffe general and celebrated flying ace of World War II.
• Alan Turing — Contemporary (Born in 1912) (1912): Father of theoretical computer science, known for the Turing machine and codebreaking.
• Adria Petty — Contemporary (Born in 1974) (1974): American director, editor, and artist known for music video work with Beyoncé.
• Agnes Moorehead — Contemporary (Died in 1974) (1974): Iconic American actress celebrated for stage, film, and television roles.
• Akram Khan (dancer) — Contemporary (Born in 1974) (1974): Pioneering English dancer and choreographer blending Kathak and contemporary forms.
• Alejandro González Iñárritu — Shared historical date (08-15 · Born) (1963): Acclaimed Mexican filmmaker known for intense psychological dramas exploring the human condition.
• Alexios I Komnenos — Shared historical date (08-15 · Died) (1118): Byzantine Emperor who initiated the Komnenian restoration and sparked the First Crusade.
• Akiko Yano — Shared historical date (02-13 · Born) (1955): Pioneering Japanese jazz and pop singer known for her eclectic style.
• Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah — Shared historical date (02-13 · Died) (1021): Sixth Fatimid Caliph and 16th Ismaili Imam, known for a controversial reign.
• 1912 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1912
• August 15 (08-15) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 15
• 1974 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1974
• February 13 (02-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 13

Frequently Asked Questions about Amir Khan (singer)