Rasoolan Bai

Rasoolan Hussain (1902 – 15 December 1974) was a leading Indian Hindustani classical music vocal musician. Belonging to the Benaras gharana, she specialized in the romantic Purab Ang of the Thumri musical genre and tappa.

Early life and training Rasoolan Hussain was born in 1902 at Kachhwa Baazar, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, in a poor family, though she inherited the musical legacy of her mother Bashiran Bibi and grandmother Adalat Begum. She displayed her grasp over classical Ragas at an early age. Recognising this at the age of five, she was sent to learn music from Ustad Shammu Khan, and later from sarangiyas (sarangi players) Ashiq Khan and Ustad Najju Khan.

Career Rasoolanbai became an expert in Tappa singing as well as Purab Ang, Thumri, besides dadra, poorbi geet, hori, kajri and chaiti.

A contemporary of Siddheswari Devi (1908–1976) also from the same gharana, besides, concerts and mehfils, she often sang on Lucknow and Allahabad stations of All India Radio She has also taught noted classical singer Naina Devi. The famous Shehnai player Bismillah Khan said that he got inspiration for music from two sisters, Rasoolanbai and Batoolan Bai, when he was fourteen.

Her house was burnt during 1969 communal riots in Gujarat, after which she shifted to Allahabad (now Prayagraj). She died on 15 December 1974, at the age of 72.

Rasoolan Bai and the tawaif tradition of women musicians was featured in the film The Other Song (2009) by Saba Dewan, also featuring her more famous song, Lagat karejwa ma chot, phool gendwa na maar, a 1935 Gramophone recording

Awards 1957: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award: Vocal 1963:National Academy of Music, London's Recognition Award for Cultural Music 1963:Cash prize of $10000 by erstwhile UK Government