Fakir Aftabuddin Khan

Ustad Fakir Aftabuddin Khan (1862–1933) was a Bengali musician, composer and lyricist.^[1]

Early life

Khan was born on 1862 in Shibpur, Brahmanbaria District, Bengal Presidency, British India. His brothers were the famous musicians Alauddin Khan and Ayet Ali Khan.^[2]

Career

Khan learned to play the violin and tabla at the court of the Zamindar of Bangora. He trained in Tripura Raja's court under the court musician Rababi Qasim Ali Khan. He was particularly talented with a flute and also played the harmonium, dotara, and banya. He invented his own musical instruments called the meghadambur and swarasangraha. He also wrote lyrics for the poems of Manomohan Dutta.

He was given the title "Fakir" for his devotion to god and the Goddess Kali and his ascetic lifestyle.^[2][3]

Death

Khan died on 25 January 1933.^[2][4]