Gharana
Kirana
✦
InstrumentVocal
TraditionHindustani
Legacy Profile(1872–1937)
Ustad
Abdul Karim Khan
Notable Students
Pandit Balkrishnabuwa KapileshwariGanapat Rao GuravRoshan Ara BegumSureshbabu ManeVishwanathbuwa JadhavSawai GandharvaKesarbai KerkarBhimsen JoshiHirabai Barodekar
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Biography
Ustad Abdul Karim Khan (1872-1937) was a renowned Indian classical singer and the founder of the Kirana gharana. Known for his melodious and meditative style, he was a master of the slow melodic development of ragas (vilambit laya) and brought a unique, leisurely pace to his thumri renditions. He was also one of the first Hindustani musicians to seriously study and incorporate elements of the Carnatic music tradition into his singing.
Profile last updated 2026-01-06