Akhtar Sadmani

Ustad Akhtar Sadmani (2 January 1934 – 30 December 2003) was an Indian classical vocalist.

Early life and background

Akhtar Sadmani was born in Dhaka, but was brought up in Calcutta (Kolkata). It was his father (late Akbar Ali) who introduced him to music. At the age of ten, he received initial training from Bobby Daniel, a student of Zamiruddin Khan. In 1955, Bobby Daniel took him to the renowned musician Omar Khan, who continued his training.

In 1957, Omar Khan personally introduced Akhtar Sadmani to Amir Khan (of the Indore Gharana). Since then he received training and advice from Amir Khan as well. He also received Khyal training from Amanat Ali, Fateh Ali, Manjur Hossain Khan and Foyez Mohammad, and Dhrupad training from Zahiruddin Dagar and Faiyazuddin Dagar.

Singing career

In 1961, Akhtar Sadmani returned to Bangladesh and joined Radio Pakistan (Dhaka) a year later as an artist. He became a Music Director in Radio Bangladesh (Dhaka) in 1966.

In 1980 he established the “Sur Rang Academy of Classical Music”. The academy was the first of its kind in Bangladesh, solely devoted to Indian classical music.

Death

Akhtar Sadmani suffered a severe heart-attack and died on 30 December 2003.