Ustad Md. Yunus Khan: The Malda Maestro Who Shaped a Musical Generation

More than two decades after his passing, the contributions of Hindustani classical vocalist Ustad Md. Yunus Khan continue to echo across Malda’s cultural landscape. This week, musicians, students and cultural organisations gathered to commemorate his legacy, reflecting on the enduring influence he had in nurturing classical music in the region and preserving the Kasur Patiala gharana tradition.

Born on 15 August 1934, Yunus Khan grew up during a period when classical training in smaller towns depended heavily on committed local gurus. His own musical foundation was built under the rigorous guidance of Ustad Munawar Ali Khan, son of the legendary Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, a towering figure in the Kasur Patiala lineage. Those close to Yunus Khan recall that this training shaped his approach to music in unforgettable ways. He emphasised the purity of raga, disciplined voice culture and a devotional relationship with the art form, values he instilled repeatedly in his students.

Although he performed across India and toured internationally, including visits to Bangladesh, he remained rooted in Malda. Friends and colleagues often remark that while he possessed the talent and lineage for a national profile, he preferred to build a strong musical foundation in his hometown. His most lasting contribution to that vision was the establishment of Sabrang Sangeet Vidyalaya, an institution he founded to offer structured classical training at a time when such opportunities were limited in the district.

The school soon became central to Malda’s artistic education. Many of its students later built respected musical careers, carrying forward his ideals of discipline, respect for tradition and emotional depth. Among his prominent disciples are Ustad Sahadat Rana Khan, Dr. Rupa Sinha, Smt. Paromita Ghosh Dastidar, Shri Goutam Das and Smt. Sanghamitra Chakraborty. Several of them participated in this week’s commemorative events, performing khayal, thumri and devotional pieces associated with their late guru.

Music historians note that Yunus Khan worked mostly away from national attention, yet his work contributed significantly to eastern India’s classical landscape. He composed and directed music for cultural productions, devotional events and gramophone recordings, many of which are preserved in private collections. These recordings provide a glimpse into a period when Malda’s classical scene was slowly gaining visibility. His performances abroad introduced international audiences to the subtleties of the Kasur Patiala gharana, which he represented with clarity and dignity.

Family members describe him as a man wholly devoted to music. He trained his son, Sahadat Rana Khan, ensuring that the tradition remained alive within the family. Today his grandson, Sadakat Aman Khan, leads the annual Yaad-e-Yunus Music Festival, held each year on 15 August. The event has grown steadily and now stands as one of Malda’s key cultural gatherings.

Ustad Md. Yunus Khan passed away on 3 March 2001 following a cardiac arrest and was laid to rest in Malda’s main Muslim cemetery. Yet those who knew him believe his presence continues to be felt. His influence lives on through his students, through preserved concert recordings and through the institutions he helped build. Cultural organisations in Malda announced plans this week to expand the annual festival in the years ahead, describing it as a fitting tribute to a musician who quietly strengthened the cultural identity of the region.

As young singers revisit the surviving recordings of his voice, characterised by clarity, ornamentation and emotional sincerity, Malda continues to celebrate not just a vocalist but a teacher who believed that music was a lifelong discipline. The renewed attention ensures that his legacy will guide the district’s classical tradition for many years to come.