Feature

AS she sang the morning raaga, nat bhairav, Begum Shipra Khan's pukar seemed to be gently waking the world in the early hours of the morning. Organised by Shadhona, the morning Hindustani classical musical recital was a mesmerising experience for the audience gathered in Gulshan 2. When the recital finally ended with Begum Shipra Khan rendering the thumry on raagas bhairav and pilu, her thundering yet smooth voice was reverberating on the walls of the room. This is the power of Hindustani classical music and the influence that plays on listeners. This is also the magic that Begum Shipra Khan, known as Guruma to her students, renders to her students and music lovers even today.

Begum Shipra Khan (Sajeda) was born in a renowned Jaminder music-loving family of Kolkata, West Bengal and graduated from Calcutta University. She completed her Master's Degree in Vocal Classical Hindustani Music from Rabindra Bharati University, obtaining First Class. Smt. Khan is a classical performer of Classical Music and Voice Trainer. She was fortunate to receive inspiration and encouragement from her father Shree Phami Bhushon Dutta Roy Chowdhury. Begum Shipra Khan is a worthy disciple and wife of Ustad Sagiruddin Khan Sahab, the legendary King of Saringee Maestro, vocal classical music performer and voice trainer of the Delhi Gharana and Beneras Gharana.

Begum Shipra Khan has performed in various reputed conferences all over the India, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom as follows:

Amir Khusru Sangeet Samaj, Bhowanipore Music conference, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, All India Radio, Durdarshan, Orissa Sangeet Natak Academy, West Bengal States Academy, Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Sangeet Samaro in Gwalior by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sahab, Burdwan Music Conference, Banga Sanskriti Sammelon, Agartala & Tripura Classical Conference at EZCC (Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre), Jamshedpur Conference, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Shadhana Music Conference, Chittagong and Indian High Commission, Dhaka, Indian Museum in Kolkata, Swami Viveka Nanda's Birthday Festival by Viveka Nanda Tirtha Association at Narendrapur 2008-2009, Birthday Festival of Respected Chintamoni Kar 19, April 1009 by Sarba Bharaliyam Charukala Mandir.

Begum Shipra Khan performed and took special performances workshops in many places in the United Kingdom, Scotland, Birmingham, Barkinghum, King Cross, East London, West London etc. Shipra Khan is also a renowned classical trainer and voice trainer. She had also performed in the Indian Museum on Kheyal, Thumri, Dadra and Bhajan.

Recently, Shipra Khan has received the prestigious Sambardhana and Swarak Padak from Calcutta Bally Gonge Sangeet Sammelan as a great classical Vocal Trainer and performer. She also received an award from the Bangladesh Anjuman Cultural Centre, Pen International The Abhinashwar Award and the Best of Guruma on Classical Vocal Music. Shipra Khan got yet another prestigious award as a Classical Vocal and Voice Trainer from the Times of India.

"She is a promise of today, tomorrow and all the days to come, for spontaneous quality in classical vocal music workmanship. She performs classical vocal music with romanticism and heavenly which makes her music always an exciting pleasure for the ears, subduing the audience," the Director of the Delhi Naida Music Conference had said.

Begum Shipra Khan's first Album Audio Cassette Guru Shishwa Parampara is a collection of thumry with her Ustad on Saringee - Hindustan Record Co. and HMV. Her second album CD was played on the FM stations on the J.U. Radio Durdarshan, showcasing her Guru's Sarengee, vocals and also her vocals. She has done a lot of workshops on vocal classical and voice throwing at the BD Memorial International School and Industrially International World on 2007-2008 and West Bengal States.

Begum Shipra Khan remembers her Ustad and husband, the late Ustad Sagiruddin Khan Sahab, who is known, not only in India, but all over the subcontinent and the world, as the Legend King of Sarengee and a maestro rendering and promoting Hindustani classical music, especially the youngsters. When Ustad Sagiruddin Khan Sahab had begun to give vocal training to students in Bangladesh in the 80s, Shadhona, an organisation which promotes the arts and culture in Bangladesh, had support Ustadji to create a platform in Bangladesh. “I thank Lubna Maryam, Dr. Naila Khan, Shahidullah Khan Badal and many others for their contribution to Hindustani classical music.” Begum Shipra Khan also appreciates and thanks her students for supporting her.

“I am a very romantic person,” smiles Begum Shipra Khan. “This is one of the main reasons as to why I enjoy and live for music.” Begum Shipra Khan continues to carry on the legacy of Ustad Sagiruddin Khan Sahab and trains the vocals of individuals and musicians of all ages in all over the world, including Bangladesh. It won't be long, when more and more musicians and music lovers of all ages will begin to make the magical classical music an integral part of their lives.