Brief Introduction

Hafiz Bale Khan

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.

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Creating The Memories

About Hafiz Bale Khan

Musical Journey

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.

Musical Training

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.

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.

Awards & Accolades

Name of The Award
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

Noted Performances

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

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