Sangeet Natak Akademi and its associate bodies deeply mourn the sad demise of Ustad Asad Ali Khan, renowned musician and Akademi Awardee, who passed away in New Delhi on 14 June 2011.

Born in 1937 in Alwar, Rajasthan, in a family of traditional beenkars, Ustad Asad Ali Khan learnt music from his father Ustad Sadiq Ali Khan. He was an exponent of the Jaipur gharana of Dhrupad, and had flawless command over its demanding technique. The hallmark of his music was purity of style and the inward contemplation that it kindled in the listener. He was deeply involved in safeguarding the music of Rudra Veena.

Ustad Asad Ali Khan had performed widely in India and abroad including Australia, United States, Afghanistan, Europe, indeed almost every corner of the world, promoting Indian classical music. He was associated with some leading institutions engaged in promoting Indian classical music among the young generation. He received several national awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1977 and the Padma Bhushan in 2008.

With the passing away of Ustad Asad Ali Khan, the world of Indian music has lost an outstanding musician, who will be remembered for generations to come.