Ustad Hafiz Bale Khan is a familiar name in the world of Hindustani music. Belonging to the Dharwad- Kirana Gharana, he has carved a unique niche in the area of Hindustani classical Sitar over and above the lineage he has inherited. Hafiz Khan was born in the year 1980 in Dharwad. His father, Sitar Nawaz Ustad Bale Khan, was a widely acclaimed and one of India’s finest Sitarist. He hails from a family of musician’s dating back to six generations. His Great Grandfather Sitar Ratna Rahimat Khan is well known not only for his music but imaginative and definitive re-arrangement of Sitar Strings. His Grandfather Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, father Ustad Bale Khan were all great Sitar players. He is carrying forward this music tradition inherited from his family.
Hafiz Khan’s Sitar playing exemplifies all the aspect of Gayaki Ang (the reproduction of Sung notes), Melodious and elaborate Alaap, rhythmical Jod and superbly presented Jhaala. Hafiz has a way of drawing in the listener to connect with the essence of raga, which he achieves with his devotion to traditional Gayaki Ang and old Gats of his family tradition. Intellectually, he has explored and understood the distinctiveness of his Khandani baaj (family’s way of playing-which is a specialization within the Gharana itself). Ustad Hafiz Khan draws listeners to the magical narratives from the notes of Raaga that are pure and serene. He is gifted with dexterity that fills his extemporization and improvisations with profound and deep out-of-world experience. His music is absolute eloquence, that an experienced music lover cherishes. He has a special place in the hearts of music patrons who enjoy the romance of his singing sitar unmistakably reflecting his father’s meditative music. In addition to exceptional Instrumental talent on Sitar, he also excels at many forms of Hindustani Vocal Singing such as Khayal, Thumri and Ghazals. He specializes in Vachanas of Akkamahadevi, Basavanna, and Dasara Padas of Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa, Sai Bhajans and Meera Bai Bhajans.
As a young child Hafiz Khan was fascinated and attracted towards Sitar playing owing to ardent musical atmosphere at home. He started learning Sitar and Vocal at a young age of seven under his grandfather and then under his father in traditional Guru-Shishya style. Hafiz Khan’s practice would start very early in the morning and rigorously continue almost whole day under the watchful guidance of his grandfather and father. His father continued to train him for perfection till his last breath in the year 2007. Along with the Music Training, Hafiz Khan pursued his academic studies and earned a Master’s Degree in Music from Karnataka University, Dharwad.
Hafiz Khan founded Ustad Bale Khan Memorial Trust in 2010 in memory of his father Sitar Nawaz Ustad Bale Khan. This trust has engaged itself in promoting, recognizing and supporting Music and Musical talent. Trust has instituted a prestigious Infosys Sitar Nawaz Ustad Bale Khan Award (kindly supported by Infosys foundation) to recognize excellence in the field of music. This is awarded annually to artists from around the globe. The trust has instituted an annual accompanist award from the year 2016 to recognize the talent and efforts of accompanying artists. Trust awards Scholarships for deserving talented artists who have demonstrated the excellence and dedication in the field of Indian classical music, every year.
In addition to these awards and recognitions, every year trust organizes two major music concerts to coincide with the Birth and Death anniversary of Ustad Bale Khan. Internationally reputed Vocalists and Instrumentalists have performed in these concerts. Starting from the year 2017, the trust has started an initiative to conduct quarterly programs to promote music and local talent. Hafiz Khan also has instituted a music-learning center called, “Bhartiya Sangeet Vidyalaya” where he teaches Sitar and vocal in Hindustani classical genre. He has trained hundreds of classical music aspirants who come to learn Hindustani music from all over India.
Name of The Award |
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Swarasamrat Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru YUVA Puraskar - 2019 |
ICCR - Empaneled Artist. |
Sitar Ratna Samiti, Dharwad - Member. |
Sa Ma Pa Yuva Ratan Puraskar New Delhi 2019 |
Kalashree Prashasti, Pune 2019 |
Rastrabhushan Prashasti, Belgaum 2017 |
Sadhaka Shiva, Dharwad in 2016 |
Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Memorial Award, Bhubaneshwar in 2011. |
Awarded the title ‘Surmani’ in 2007 by Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai |
Indian Embassy (Gandhi Centre) Hague 2022 | Kuopio Music Centre, Kuopio, Finland 2022 |
Pune Festival 2022 | Rani Chenamma Kittur festival 2021 |
Mangal Dhwani, New Delhi 2020 | Navika Sammelan, USA 2015, 2017 & 2021 |
SaMaPa Festival New Delhi. 2019 | Nadd Foundation New Delhi, Puducherry. 2019 |
Dasara Utsav, Mysore. 2019 | Ustad Mehboob khan Mohotsav, pune. 2019 |
Kalashri Sangeet Mohotsav, pune. 2019 | Malahar Utsav, Durgapur.West Bengal. 2018 |
Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, in the presence of honorable Prime Minister of India, 2017 | Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Trichy, 2017 |
Pandit Taranath Foundation, Mysore, 2017 | Parle Basant Utsav, Mumbai, 2016 |
MS Univ Department of Performing Arts, Baroda,2016 | Indian Embassy Tehran, Iran, 2016 |
Ramanavami Utsav, Fort High School, Bengaluru,2016, 2008 | Sur Singar, Bijapur, 2015 |
Navika Sammelan, Raleigh, NC, USA, 2015 | Kannada Koota, Kuwait, 2015 |
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru, Kolkata & London, 2015 | Aundh Sangeet Mahotsav, 2015 |
Akka Sammelan, San Jose. USA, 2014 | Karnataka Sangha, Baroda, 2014 |
International Craft exhibition, Faridabad, 2013 | Ustad Rahimat Ali khan music festival, Bhopal,2011 |
Bengaluru Habba, Bangalore 2007,2009,2012 | Surya Festival, Trivandrum, 2012 |
Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan Foundation, Nasik,2012 | Kings palace, Rajkot, 2012 |
Raj Bhavan, Bangalore, 2011 | Vishwa Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, Belgaum,2011 |
Dharwad Utsav, Hubli, 2011 | Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Memorial |
Concert,Bhubaneshwar, 2011 | Nadaswaram Foundation, Rajkot, 2011 |
Kala Madhyam, Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore,2011 | Divine Mood, Goa Kala Academy, Panjim, 2010 |
Akhila Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, Gadag,2010 | Infosys International Customer Meet, Mysore,2009 |
Institute of World Culture, Bangalore, 2009 | Chitrakala Parishad, Bengaluru ,2009 |
Indian Heritage Academy, Bengaluru 2008 | Karnataka State Pattadakal Utsav, Bagalkot, 2008 |
Hangal Foundation, Hubli, 2008 | Kal Ke Kalakar Sangeet Sammelan, Mumbai, 2007 |
Hampi Utsav, Hampi, 2007 | Panchakshiri Gavai Sangeethotsav, Chennai, 2006 |
Akhil Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, Bidar,2006 | Sangeet Sankalp, Ustad Allauddin Khan MusicAcademy, Bhopal, 2005 |
Sangeet Pratibha by Central Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi, 2005 | Nawaraspur Utsav, Bijapur, 2005 |
Pandit Mallikarjun Mansoor Sangeethotsav, Dharwad 2004-2007 | Swar Sadhana Samiti, Mumbai, 2004 |
National Youth Festival, Jamshedpur, 2004 | Sangeet Ratna Ustad Abdul Karim Khan Festival, Miraj |
Sawai Gandharva Music Festival, Kundgol | Sahyadri Utsav, Shimoga, 2003 |
Shivaji University Music Festival, Kolhapur, 2003 | Dussehra Utsav, Bijapur, 2001 |