Vilayat Hussein Khan
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Vilayat Hussein Khan (1895-1962) was one of the greatest figures of Agra Gharana, who excelled both as singer and teacher. His father, Naththan Khan, was himself a legendary singer, and a noted guru. Vilayat Hussein Khan's elder brothers were also noted singers and taught him after their father's early death. Abdullah Khan was Naththan's Khan son who was several years senior to his brother Vilayat. His early death, around 1920, was a big blow to Hindustani music.
Vilayat (Hussein) Khan, the singer, is not to be confused with the famous and controversial sitar player Vilayat Khan. Vilayat Khan the singer had several disciples in Maharashtra, and the region owes its eminence in Hindustani music to the work of generous teachers like him, Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar, Alladiya Khan, and Abdul Karim Khan. His most famous guru-shishya relationship was with Jagannathbuwa Purohit and each of them composed several bandishes dedicated to the other. Vilayat Khan's singing from his later years is available through commercial releases and private collectors.
