Hindustani classical singer Ustad Rashid Khan dies at 55

Hindustani classical singer Ustad Rashid Khan singer dies at 55.

KOLKATA: Ustad Rashid Khan singer, a renowned Hindustani classical musician who had been fighting cancer, passed away in a private Kolkata hospital on Tuesday afternoon, as announced by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He was 55 years old.

“It is very unfortunate. He died at just 55. It is a great loss for the nation and for all of us. He was like my brother. He used to call me mother,” Banerjee told reporters at the hospital.

On November 22 of the previous year, Khan had been hospitalized in east Kolkata due to an intracerebral hemorrhage.

A group of neurosurgeons opted for conservative treatment during his hospitalization, and he showed positive signs of recovery. However, spending an extended period in the hospital led to the development of a rapidly spreading hospital-acquired infection. "He was placed on a ventilator early this morning. Despite our utmost efforts, we were unable to bring him back," stated a senior doctor from the hospital. He passed away at 3:45 pm.

Mamata Banerjee expressed, "Ustad Rashid Khan singer received our highest civilian honor, Banga Bibhushan, and our Sangeet Mahasamman as well. He served in an advisory capacity for several of our state cultural bodies." The esteemed classical vocalist was also honored with the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2022.

"Though born in Uttar Pradesh, he had a deep affection for West Bengal and chose to settle here. He affectionately referred to me as a mother. His body will be kept in a mortuary, with a gun salute scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. The final rites will follow thereafter," Banerjee shared.