Curated by Aneesh Pradhan
Among the different genres of Hindustani vocal music, khayal stands out as a prominent form for melodic, rhythmic and textual exploration. Hundreds and thousands of khayal compositions created over the past few centuries and composed by contemporary composers, act as seed-ideas for vocalists to elaborate upon. The eighteenth-century musician Niamat Khan was one of the foremost composers of khayal compositions. Writing with the pseudonym ‘Sadaarang’, Niamat Khan was employed in the royal court of Emperor Muhammad Shah ‘Rangile’.