RAFIQUE KHAN was born in Dharwad into an illustrious family of accomplished musicians. They belong to the Gwalior Gharana. His father, the late Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, was a distinguished sitarist. His grandfather, the late “Sitar Ratna” Ustad Rahimat Khan, added the base octave in the sitar, which earned him popularity. Rafique Khan discovered his love for the sitar at the tender age of nine. He received training from his father and from his elder brother, Ustad Bale Khan. His uncle, Ustad Dastagir Khan trained him in “Gayaki Ang”. He graduated from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai and graduated in Philosophy from the University of Goa. Rafique Khan has performed at different venues across India. He has performed at prestigious music concerts. When he is not performing solo, he performs with his twin brother Shafique Khan and the brothers have been popularly won the name “Jugalbandis”. He had won the prestigious “Sur Mani Award” from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, at the age of 23 years. All India Radio has acknowledged him as the Top Ranking artiste and three of his recitals have been aired on their national programmes. He was the first sitarist to receive Top grade from South India. He often appears on television as well. He is also an artiste of ICCR. His presentation is unique since he preserves the purity of the raag and maintains the balance of the two mixed styles in “Gayaki Ang” and “Tantakari Ang”. He has mastered the “Gamak Taans”, which is considered to be the most difficult technique on the sitar. He has a strong control over the finger board . At present he is a member of the staff at All India Radio.            Some of the prestigious concerts: ·         Sawai Gandharva Music Festival, Pune ·         Shahu Maharaj Sangeet Mahotsav