Ustaad Rashid Khan death: Renowned musician Ustad Rashid Khan passed away on Wednesday, January 9, after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. The 55-year-old maestro had been on oxygen support and ventilation in the ICU of a Kolkata hospital.

His condition had deteriorated following a cerebral attack in December. His mortal remains will be kept at Peace Haven, Kolkata, for fans to pay their last respects, and the last rites will be done on January 10.

Music maestro Rashid Khan's death

Music maestro Rashid Khan breathed his last on January 9 in Kolkata after battling cancer. The Padma Bhushan awardee's body will be kept in the Peerless Hospital in Kolkata till 6 pm. Reportedly, his health has declined since he suffered a cerebral attack last year.

"We tried our best but failed. He passed away at around 3:45 PM," an official of the private hospital where Khan was admitted said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered her condolences and announced that Rashid would receive a gun salute as a part of his final rites tomorrow. In a statement, she said, "This is a great loss for the entire country and the entire music fraternity. I am in a lot of pain as I still can't believe that Rashid Khan is no more."

He was initially receiving treatment at Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital; however, he later opted to continue with it exclusively in Kolkata. As per sources, Khan positively responded to the treatment in the early stages of the illness.

About Ustad Rashid Khan

He was trained by his uncle, Ghulam Mustafa Khan, who initially trained him in Mumbai. His primary training was given by Nissar Hussain Khan at his residence in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh.

Rashid's debut concert was at the age of 11, and in the coming year, 1978, he graced the stage at an ITC concert in Delhi. In 1980, the singer became a part of Nissar Hussain Khan Academy Sangeet Research Academy (SRA) in Calcuta at the age of 14.

Ustad Rashid Khan's work

Ustad Rashid Khan blended his classical Hindustani music with lighter musical genres and also did experimental collaborations, which included concerts with Western instrumentalist Louis Banks.

He has been honoured with an array of recognitions, like the Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and others. He has also sung a few Bollywood songs that are still remembered by fans, that are 'Aaoge Jab Tum', 'Aaj Koi Jogee Aave', 'Rishte Naate', 'Ishq Ka Rang', and several others.

Khan's personal life

The Hindustani classical music maestro, Rashid, was born on July 1, 1968, in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by his wife, Soma Khan, two daughters, and a son.