Faiyaz Khan

Ustad Faiyaz Khan (8 February 1886 - 5 November 1950), born at Sikandara in the North-Western Provinces, was a towering vocalist of the Agra gharana in Hindustani classical music. Known as Aftab-e-Mausiqi (Sun of Music), he was the son of Safdar Hussain, who died four months before his birth. He was raised and trained by his maternal grandfather Ghulam Abbas Khan, who taught him music for 25 years. He also received training from his granduncle Ustad Kallan Khan, Ustad Mehboob Khan (Daraspiya), Natthan Khan, and Fida Hussain Khan, continuing an ancestral lineage tracing back to Tansen. Renowned for his deep, powerful voice, Faiyaz Khan expertly blended dhrupad, khayal, thumri, and ghazal, establishing himself as the definitive style-shaper of Agra gayaki. He held the prestigious position of court musician under Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda and was awarded honorary titles including Gyan Ratna and Aftab-e-Mausiqi. As a revered guru, he mentored distinguished disciples including Sharafat Hussain Khan, S.N. Ratanjankar, Latafat Hussain Khan, and K.L. Saigal. He died of tuberculosis on 5 November 1950 at Baroda.