Famous sarod player Ustad Khan of Maihar Gharana passed away in America on Friday.

His family members confirmed that he died due to age-related ailments.

His nephew, Ustad Shiraz Ali Khan, confirmed the news on social media, saying, “With extreme sadness, we inform you of the demise of our revered and beloved Ashish Khan.”

Khan said, “We are blessed to have him in our lives and he will always be in our hearts.”

His brother, Ustad Alam Khan, also shared the news and paid tribute to his brother, calling him a “sarod player” and the “Caliph of the Maihar Gharana”.

He said that Ashish Khan was surrounded by family, friends and students in his last days.

Ustad Alam Khan praised his brother’s legacy, calling him an “incredible and powerful sarodist and composer” whose music inspired countless musicians and listeners around the world.

“He was a beloved mentor and teacher to many students globally and will be greatly missed,” he said.

Alam Khan said, a celebration of Khan’s life will soon be organized at Ali Akbar College of Music.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi also condoled the loss and remembered Ashish Khan as an eminent Hindustani musician and recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

In a post on X, the Sangeet Natak Akademi said, “Deeply mourns the sad demise of eminent Hindustani musician, sarod player and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner Ashish Khan. He passed away yesterday.”

In Kolkata, the news of Khan’s death sent a wave of mourning across the city’s classical music fraternity.

Renowned percussionist Pandit Bikram Ghosh described Ustad Ashish Khan as an artiste who had enthralled audiences across the world with his mastery of sarod playing.

He recalled his first world tour with Khan in 1991 and described him as a father figure and a close family friend.

Ghosh said, “We had great chemistry on stage and his demise is a huge personal loss for me.”

Pandit Tanmay Bose, another eminent musician, remembered Khan as one of the superstars of classical music in the 1970s.

He recalled their performances together at major festivals around the world.

“He was not only a brilliant musician but also an excellent cook,” Bose said.

“We shared many wonderful moments at his home in Chicago and he promised to return to Kolkata next year. His absence will be deeply felt in the classical music scene,” he said.

Sarod player Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar praised Khan as an “eclectic sarod player”, blending influences from various stalwarts including Ustad Zakir Hussain.

He recalled a memorable “Jugalbandi” with Pandit Swapan Chaudhary in the 1970s, which he considered one of Khan’s finest performances.

Ashish Khan’s collaborations were spectacular, including performances with sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and the Beatles.

He also contributed to the soundtracks of iconic films, including Satyajit Ray’s Apu Trilogy and Jalsaaghar and Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi.

His death marks the end of an era of classical instrumental music.

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