Ut. Allauddin Khan not learnt music by:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:
Ustad Allauddin Khan’s extensive and varied training under numerous masters is a key aspect of his musical legend. The correct answer, Ut. Kadir Baksh, is the one individual from this list from whom Allauddin Khan did *not* learn music. Ustad Mian Kadir Baksh (also spelled Kader Baksh) is historically recognized as the principal guru of a different towering figure in Indian classical music: the great tabla maestro, Ustad Alla Rakha. Mian Kadir Baksh was the authoritative head of the Punjab Gharana of tabla, a tradition separate from the Maihar Gharana founded by Allauddin Khan, which confirms that their guru-shishya lineage was independent.

The incorrect option is 2:
Ut. Wazir Khan is, arguably, the most significant figure in Ustad Allauddin Khan’s musical biography. Wazir Khan was a legendary Veena player from Rampur and one of the last direct descendants of the Tansen lineage (Senia Gharana). After years of struggle and persistence, Allauddin Khan became his disciple. This discipleship was pivotal, as Wazir Khan imparted the deep secrets of the Dhrupad *ang* (style) and the sarod to Allauddin Khan, which ultimately formed the unique, instrumental foundation of the Maihar Gharana.

The incorrect option is 3:
Ut. Ahmad Ali Khan was an important sarod player from whom Ustad Allauddin Khan received direct training in the instrument. Allauddin Khan was so inspired by a performance by Ahmad Ali Khan that he sought him out and learned the sarod from him for approximately five years. This period of study was instrumental in developing Allauddin Khan’s command over the sarod before he pursued further advanced training with Ut. Wazir Khan.

The incorrect option is 4:
Allauddin Khan’s lifelong dedication to music involved taking instruction from a multitude of teachers across various disciplines (vocal, instrumental, and percussion) as he relentlessly pursued musical mastery. Throughout his formative years in Bengal and Calcutta, he was known to learn from various masters to acquire skills in instruments like the violin, flute, and pakhawaj, in addition to vocal music. Therefore, figures like Habudatt represent one of the numerous, and sometimes less prominently recorded, gurus who contributed to the maestro’s diverse and comprehensive musical education.