Ballad of a Maverick Musician

In this honest and deeply personal memoir, Ustad Allauddin Khan reflects on a life of music, hardship, humour, and unwavering discipline—documenting his extraordinary rise from rural obscurity to legendary status. Excerpts:

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I really didn't know till now that there was such a fine book that had been written, based on the stories that "Baba" Ustad Allauddin Khan saheb had narrated. Baba's wisdom was revealed like this, spontaneously, through his words. Although what I liked most of all is that, so long ago, a little boy had taken to a task like this with such attentiveness. I remember I had seen Santi babu and Sagar da's brother Sriman Subhomay in Santiniketan years ago. I had liked the boy very much. I cannot recall in which house exactly, but one afternoon, in one of the houses in Santiniketan itself, Subhomay had arranged for me to take a bath. He was the one who got everything ready and together in a hurry. Other than that, wherever I went in Santiniketan, Subhomay would join me. I liked that a lot. So seeing this book of his after so long, I am amazed and happy at the same time. It is heartbreaking that Subhomay is no longer with us. May God rest his soul in peace.

I have discussed Baba as a man and an artist in the book, Raag Anuraag. Still, it feels like there is no end to what can be said about him. In this book, Baba has spoken about himself in the first person, in his own words and in perfectly ordinary language, which was, in fact, a particular trait with him. With what unassuming ease he could move from one profound insight to another, even a deeper one, is astonishing to think about! I used to be amazed then as well, when I used to sit in front of him and hear him speak. It felt like Thakur Ramakrishna Dev was preaching to his disciples.