Vilayat Hussain Khan

Who was Vilayat Hussain Khan?

Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan Sahib was a prominent musician of the Agra Gharana, who excelled both as singer and teacher. His father, Natthan Khan, was himself an acclaimed performing artist of his time, and a noted guru. Vilayat Hussain Khan's elder brothers were also noted singers and taught him after their father's early death. Abdullah Khan was Natthan Khan's son who was several years senior to his brother Vilayat.

Vilayat Hussain Khan, the singer, is not to be confused with the famous and controversial sitar player Vilayat Khan. Vilayat Khan the singer had several disciples in Maharashtra, and the region owes its eminence in Hindustani music to the work of generous teachers like him, Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar, Alladiya Khan, and Abdul Karim Khan. His most famous guru-shishya relationship was with Jagannathbuwa Purohit and each of them composed several bandishes dedicated to the other. Vilayat Khan's singing from his later years is available through commercial releases and private collectors.

Vilayat Hussain Khan composed bandishes in many ragas including some very rare ones under the nome de plume "Pran Piya".