- Zohrabai
Zohrabai (1868-1913) was one of the most noted and influential singers of
Hindustani Classical Music from the early 1900s. Her name is also written Zohra Bai, or Zohrabai Agrewali. Along withGauhar Jan , she marks the dying phase of thecourtesan [India Today , [www.india-today.com/itoday/millennium/100people/faiyaz.html Faiyaz Khan] profile.] singing tradition in Indian classical music.She belonged to the
Agra gharana (lit. "Agrewali" = fromAgra ). She was trained by Ustad Sher Khan, UstadKallan Khan and the noted composerMehboob Khan ("Daras Piya") [ [http://www.itcsra.org/tribute.asp?tribute=3 Zohra Bai - Tribute to a Maestro ] ] . She was known both forkhayal as well as lighter varieties including Thumri and Ghazals which she learned fromAhmad Khan ofDhaka . Her singing influenced UstadFaiyaz Khan , the greatest name in the Agra Gharana in modern times, and even UstadBade Ghulam Ali Khan of thePatiala Gharana held her in high regard.Only short pieces by her survive in a number of
78 rpm recordings [ [http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/ellpatke/Miscellany/zohrabai.htmZohrabai "Agrewali": List of 78 rpm recordings] ] , including the notable 1909 pieces "matki more re goras" in ragaJaunpuri or "dekhen ko man lalchay" (Sohni ) [A number of her 78 rpm recordings can be heard at Patrick Moutal's [http://homepage.mac.com/patrickmoutal/macmoutal/rag.html website] ] .References
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