Wazir Khan (Rampur)

Wazir Khan
Background information
Born	Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
Genres	Hindustani classical music
Occupation(s)	Musician

Wazir Khan was the chief musician or nayak at the court of Nawab Hamid Ali Khan of Rampur. Without the blessings and patronage of Wazir Khan, it was nearly impossible for a musician to find employment in the durbar.

Wazir Khan was born in the erstwhile Rampur State to Ameer Khan Beenkar Wazir Khan, was the descendant of Naubat Khan and Saraswati Devi (Tansen's daughter). He was also a musicologist who wrote the Risala Mousibi. He was passionate about photography. He established the Rampur theatre in the building of club ghar at Rampur. Wazir Khan was the student of Daagh in Poetry.

Naubat Khan's family was very fond of food. They were able to develop their own cuisine. It was different from the Dastarkhan of Nawab of Rampur. It was deeply influenced by the Awadhi cuisine. Rice preparations were included in their meals and kebab featured regularly. Rakabdars from the court of Awadh were employed in their kitchens. It was said that if anyone from this family is not fond of dessert than he is not a Naubat Khani. These preparations were so rich in ingredients that once Nawab Hamid Ali Khan said that if this family was not fond of such good food they could have houses made of gold and silver.

Nayak Wazir Khan was the master of Hamid Ali Khan of Rampur,Allauddin Khan,Hafiz Ali Khan,Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande. Alauddin Khan went on to establish the modern Maihar gharana with disciples like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Nikhil Banerjee, Vasant Rai, Pannalal Ghosh, Bahadur Khan, and Sharan Rani.

Wazir Khan lived like a prince. It was not easy for a commoner to approach the musician directly. Alauddin was quite desperate to become his disciple. It is said that one day he stood in front of the Nawab's vehicle and begged to become Wazir Khan' disciple. The Nawab of Rampur was pleased with his perseverance. The Nawab sent the vehicle to fetch Wazir Khan and Alauddin was made the disciple of Wazir Khan. Wazir Khan taught him nothing for two years, but when he came to know about the hardships Alauddin's wife was facing at home, he started teaching Alauddin.

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