India’s oldest living classical vocalist dies at 107

Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2013, making him the oldest to receive the honour

India’s oldest living classical vocalist, Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, passed away in Kolkata on Thursday.

Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan was 107 and is survived by his daughter and grandchildren, Times of India reported.



Condoling his death, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Saddened at the passing away of veteran vocalist Padma Bhushan Abdul Rashid Khan. India has lost a great gem in the world of music."

Saddened at the passing of veteran vocalist Padma Bhushan Abdul Rashid Khan. India has lost a great gem from the world of music

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 18, 2016

Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, an exponent of the Gwalior gharana, was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2013, making him the oldest to receive the honour. Not just music, he was also known for his wrestling skills and poetry. Khan has written some 2,000 poems and used to write under the pseudonym of 'Rasan Piya'.



His musical journey was not without obstacles. Some even claimed that professional rivalry had once led to an attempt on his life. A jealous singer was reportedly so insecure after a jugalbandi with Khan that he bribed a waiter to mix mercury in Khan's food. The mercury ended affecting Khan's fingers. But it couldn't impact his voice. Even a hip surgery at the age of 90 couldn't take away his zest for performances.

RIP Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan saab. No one knew his exact age but he was one of the oldest performing Hindustani classical vocalists.

— मङ्गलम् (@veejaysai) February 18, 2016

Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan, the oldest performing musician to recieve a Padma award, passes away at 108

— Suanshu Khurana (@SuanshuKhurana) February 18, 2016

Another irreparable loss for https://t.co/0fForSucYC Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan Sahab.🙏

— ParthasarathiDesikan (@parthamusic) February 18, 2016