Tanrus Khan


Ustad Tanrus Khan was a founder of the Hindustani classical music tradition of Delhi gharānā. He was a court musician and music teacher to the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II.

Early life and career

"Meer Qutub Baksh alias 'Tanrus Khan' was an iconic Khayal singer of the 19th century."
"Since Delhi has been, off and on, the capital and the cultural center of the North Indian musical tradition, many families originally came from Delhi." "Tanrus Khan was famous for his swift, sparkling Taans and so this title 'Tanrus' was given to him by Bahadur Shah Zafar II, the last Mughal emperor."
Occasionally Tanrus Khan sang qawwalis also. So he is also said to be a member of the 'Qawwal Bachchon Ka Delhi Gharana' originally organized by the legendary 13th century musician Amir Khusrow. Many Khayals and Taranas of Hindustani classical music were composed by Tanrus Khan.
Tanrus Khan was attached to Delhi court but after the Mutiny of 1857, he left Delhi and went to Gwalior but felt that he was not much appreciated there. So he went to Nizam of Hyderabad's court and worked there and finally died in Hyderabad in 1885.

Delhi gharana

Prominent exponents