Mobarak Hossain Khan

Musicologist, Music Researcher, Musician and Writer

Mobarak Hossain Khan was a music researcher, music expert and musician of repute. He played 'Surbahar', a Classical Subcontinental string instrument. He comes of one of the great family of musicians of Bangladesh, which produced a galaxy of illustrious classical musicians.

He had written more than 100 books belonging to different genre. Most notable among them are the fundamental research books on Indian Subcontinental Classical Music, in both Bangla and English, which brought him National Awards and Recognition. Besides, he tranlated many books, wrote books for juveniles, as well as novels and autobiography.

He was the third son of Ustad Ayet Ali Khan and nephew of Ustad Alauddin Khan. He had been decorated with the most prestigious State Awards of the country­ 'The Independence Day Award' (স্বাধীনতা পদক : Shwadhinata Padak) and 'Twenty-first February Award' (একুশে পদক: Ekushey Padak) and 'Bangla Academy Literary Award' for his commendable contribution in the field of music.

He had also been adorned with many other awards. His article on 'Music of Bangladesh' had been published in the Swedish Encyclopedia. He had also contributed to the 'Banglapedia' (the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh) published by the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.

He was the former Director General of National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts (Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy) and former Chairman of Nazrul Institute named after the Poet-Laureate of Bangladesh Kazi Nazrul Islam. He was also the President of the Bangladesh Chapter of International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM), the headquarters being in the U.S.A. and also the President of Ustad Ayet Ali Khan Academy of Music. He had served Radio Bangladesh and former Radio Pakistan for long 30 years. He was also the Secretary General of the International PEN Bangladesh Chapter, headquarters being in London, U.K.

He had visited many countries including U.S.A, U. K., Australia, China, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Japan, North Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, Kuwait, Iran, India, and Pakistan as a leader of cultural delegation and also as an expert on Radio, Saarc and Unesco.

He was a visiting lecturer of College of Music, Bangladesh, and was associated with the Department of Drama and Music of Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, and National University as External Examiner for the degree of M.Phil, and PhD. He was also an External member of the 'Committee of Promotions' of Drama and Music Department of Dhaka University.

He was an M. A. in History.