About Our Work
What we do
The Shafqat Ali Khan School of Music originates from the 500 year old music lineage of the Sham Chaurasi Gharana We teach classical vocal music of the subcontinent to music students at all Levels
This website was created by Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan to inspire the love of classical music for generations to come…..
Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan
Born into the 11th generation of the Sham Chaurasi Gharana, Shafqat Ali Khan has developed a lasting presence within the Classical Music World.
The youngest son of one of the greatest vocalists of the twentieth century, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Shafqat made his debut public performance at the age of seven at the Lahore Music Festival in 1979
He has performed all over the world , including at memorable concerts within the U.S such as at the Smithsonian Institute, for the World Music Institute at the Metropolitan in New York, and the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, Shafqat is known for his powerful ,soulful voice, and a magnetic stage presence that connects with audiences.
In addition to performing music, Shafqat has been teaching music within various academic institutions. He also heads the Music Dept. within his home city in Lahore, Pakistan.
Ustad Salamat Ali Khan
10th Generation of Sham Chaurasi Gharana
Born in Shamchaurasi, Punjab, India on December 12th, 1934, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan is amongst the most celebrated classical vocalists of the Subcontinent. He was trained by his father , Ustad Vilayat Ali Khan from the age of 5, who recognized his son’s potential as a Khayal singer and guided him to focus on this classical style of singing. At a young age, he gained the attention of some of India’s most well-respected vocalists such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Ustad Rajab Ali Khan.
His worldwide recognition grew after a 1969 performance at the Edinburgh Festival Over his lifetime, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan’s accolades were many, including receiving the president's Pride of Performance award, with noted performances at the All India Radio station.
Khansahib’s career covered over six decades, he passed away in 2001. Ustad Salamat Ali Khan continues to be recognized for his enduring contribution to Hindustani/Pakistani classical music.
Nazakat -Salamat Duo
10th Generation - Sham Chaurasi Gharana
Having started their musical journey together in India at an early age, brothers Nazakat and Salamat Ali Khan impressed many, including the Maharaja of Champanagar in Bihar who gave them positions as Court Musicians.
After their father Ustad Vilayat Ali Khan passed away , the family migrated to Pakistan in 1947 During their career together, the Ali Brothers continued to tour India extensively, and became highly regarded Classical Vocalists throughout the subcontinent.
Together, their signature sound was magical and effortless….They are known for evolving the style of Khayal - to a long alaap and rhythmic layakari , different from that of other traditional Khayal Gharanas.
The Ali Brothers disbanded in 1960 , and continued their career as solo artists.
Sham Chaurasi Gharana
Sham Chaurasi Gharana was founded by two Rajput brothers, Sudhakar and Diwakar, in the 16th century. They were farmers in Sham Chaurasi , a small village, named after its original ruler, Raja Shyam.
The brothers were disciples of Hazrat Syed Ali Sarmast, a holy saint of whom the Emperor of the time, Akbar was also a disciple.
The saint would listen to them sing as they ploughed their fields. He encouraged the brothers to pursue a life of music, and give up farming which they did, and also provided them with their initial training in music
After which, they continued their training with Swami Haridas until Syed Sarmast was satisfied with their progress.
He then sent them to Emperor Akbar in Delhi with a letter requesting him to give the duo a chance to perform in his court. Their performance at court consisted of all the Ragas of that time, and was known to have greatly pleased Akbar. He offered them positions as his court musicians and a reward..
They in turn asked for him to return the 84 villages that were captured from Raja Shyam, which Akbar agreed to The brothers converted to Islam and became known as Chand and Suraj Khan,
Thus the Sham Chaurasi Gharana was born Shaam comes from Raja Shyam and Chaurasi (Eighty-Four) from the return of the eighty-four villages to the Raja.
Shaam Chaurasi was originally a Dhrupad Gharana Dhrupad is the oldest style of classical music in practice in the Subcontinent. Within the last century, the modern genre of Khayal was added to the musical repertoire of the Gharana byUstad Salamat Ali Khan and Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan.
They also added Thumri (a romantic semi-classical style), Kafi (lyrical Sufi poetry) and Dadra (semi-classical music sung in cycles of beats) to the musical genres of the Gharana
“It is the Dhrupad ka gharana with Khayal ka andaaz.” Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan,
Faizan Ali Khan and Nadir Ali Khan
Faizan Ali Khan
They are amongst the 12th generation of the Sham Chaurasi Gharana They have both been trained in classical music since the age of 7, and have been singing solo with their father, Shafqat Ali Khan around the world
