Maihar Band is an instrumental musical group in the city of Maihar in Satna district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The band performs both Indian and western music. Apart from Maihar, they also perform in other Indian cities. Their performance at Lata Mangeshar Award Ceremony at Indore in 2005 garnered them appreciation. After this achievement of the band, the state government gave them a prominent place in its jubilee celebrations.
History of Maihar Band
As per history, an epidemic orphaned many children in the city of Maihar. Ustad Allauddin Khan, a musician of the Maihar court, was moved by the aftermath of this natural disaster. With an aim of providing solace to the orphaned children, he taught them how to play music and formed an orchestral group which later came to be known as the Maihar Band. The band received immense help from Braj Nath Singh, the then ruling prince of Maihar. Singh helped them to procure and prepare the required musical instruments. By proper training, Khan prepared these unschooled children to handle western instruments like piano, violin and cello with equal ease. During that period, the band played western and Indian compositions in front of the dignitaries assembled at the Darbar hall. Pleased with this achievement, Khan decided to lead the band himself as its band-master.
Members of Maihar Band
In order to form a strong team, Khan tested each student and trained them to play a particular instrument. The first team comprised of eighteen artists. The band kept to the same number although after retirements, only ten artists remain. Some of the artists sometimes also gave solo recitals. The first members of the Maihar band were; Anar Khan (sitar), Vishwanath (violin), Shiv Sahaya (bansuri, clarinet), Ramswaroop (daulal, dauaa, sitar-banjo), Baijnath Singh-Bansuri (flute), Tansu Maharaj (harmonium), Brinda Mali (israj), Moolchand (israj), Jamna Prasad (Gulgul Maharaj), Jhurrelal (Nal Tarang), Pt. Girdhar Lal (Nal Tarang / Piano), Lachchi Surdas (Tabla, Dholak), Sukhdev Saranga (Cello), Pt. Urmila Prasad (Cello), Mahipat Singh (Sitar), Chunbaddi (Israj) and Dashrath Mali (Sitar Banjo).
The band is associated with Department of Culture in Madhya Pradesh. Most of the artists are engaged into government services.
