Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan is a contemporary of Great Masters like Ustad Sadiq Ali Khan, Ustad Rahimuddin Khan, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Ahmedjan Thirakawa , Ustad Amir Khan and Prof. D.T. Joshi, who were greatly devoted to the traditional classical art forms with much dedication and helped its survival, evolved and prospered even during the darkest periods of Indian history. Based on the Guru-shishya parampara, ensuring loyalty and intensity of training, Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan’s professional lineage evolves directly, in an unbroken line, from Maseet Sen, the innovator of Masit Khani Baaj and the descendant of Mian Tansen, a name which needs no introduction.
His first major performance was at Allahabad in 1939, after which invitations to perform multipled and he became famous overnight. Ustadji had a very wide repertoire of professional activities interview, lectures, demonstrations, seminars, performances, examination evaluations of various organisations and institutions like AIR, Doordarshan, Newspapers, various Universities in India , Academies, Archives and Societies.
There were many disctinctions conferred on him , to mention a few , Sitar Sudhakar – 1932, National Academy Award – 1968, Tantri Vilas – 1973, Sangeet Ratnakar – 1974, Hony D,litt – 1974 Rabindra Bharati, State Academy Award – 1974, Senior fellowship and Emeritus – 1986, Bhuwalka Award – 1987, Tansen Award – 1987, Special Honour University of Delhi – 1987. He was a musicians Musician and that is why he always shied away from the commercial attention .
