Allauddin Khan

A devout Hindu and Muslim, Allauddin Khan (born Padma-Vibhusan Acharya Allauddin Khan) was one of the most important North Indian classical musicians of the 20th century. While his musical career spanned more than 100 years, Khan was equally influential as a mentor and teacher of Ravi Shankar; his son Ali Akbar Khan; and his daughter and Shankar's wife, Annapurna Devi. A native of East Bengal (Bangladesh), Khan enjoyed a financially secure childhood. Although his parents had little money, they owned land and many animals. Descended from Mian Tansen, a 16th century musician in ...