Staff Reporter –
The musical legacy of Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan will be honoured with the fourth edition of ‘Haazri’, a moving tribute held every year by his family and disciples. Slated for January 17, 2026, at Jio World Garden, Bandra Kurla Complex, and presented by NR Talent and Event Management, the evening, held on Ustad ji’s barsi (death anniversary) each year, marks his fifth with an unforgettable celebration of his timeless artistry. This year, in a never-seen-before act, A.R. Rahman, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, and Shaan – four of his most celebrated protégés will share the stage, with Rahman curating a special set that unites the guru brothers in a magical homage to their late mentor.
A.R. Rahman, who performed a Sufi concert at ‘Haazri’ this year, says, “This will be my second consecutive homage to my guru and I am so excited about it. This time around, I’ll curate a very special set in his honour and remembrance. I am looking forward to taking the stage with Hariharan, Sonu Nigam and Shaan.”
Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, a towering figure in Indian classical music and a torchbearer of the Rampur Sahaswan Gharana, was a guiding light for many of India’s greatest singers, including Asha Bhosle, A.R. Rahman, Sonu Nigam, Hariharan, Shaan, and Shilpa Rao, among others.
For Hariharan, ‘Haazri’ is an emotional day and he makes sure he’s a part of it every year. “Khan Sahab humein roz yaad aate hain. The upcoming edition of ‘Haazri’ is so special. A.R. Rahman, who’s also a student of Khan Sahab, is curating a special set and I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be a great homage and performance. Rahman, Sonu, Shaan and I would be sharing the stage and there will be a lot of energy and emotions on stage,” he shares.
The evening is also about the bond that Khan Sahab shared with his students. For the singers coming together, it feels like a heartfelt reunion as much as a performance. They’re stepping on stage with memories, respect, and gratitude that the audience is sure to feel…
Sonu Nigam shares, “Our guru Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Sahab lives inside us forever. I feel his presence around always. He left a family for me in the form of his children and his students. Performing together for ‘Haazri’, is going to be a very emotional experience.”
Adds Shaan, “I feel thrilled and honoured to be a part of ‘Haazri’ this time and I can’t wait to take the stage. Paying homage to my guru, Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Sahab, is an honour. It’s never enough when you celebrate your guru and pay respect. He means a lot to me. He’s more than a guru to me; he was a father figure. To share the stage with all the greats of music, my guru bhais, is a matter of great privilege for me. I cannot wait for that moment to unfold.”
Talking about the experience and how the idea of bringing the four music legends together came about, organisers Rabbani Mustafa Khan and Namrata Gupta Khan, Founders of NR Talent & Event Management, say, “‘Haazri’ is never just a concert for us, it’s a way of celebrating the rich legacy of our father, Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, who was among the greatest musicians the world has seen. Our endeavour is always to offer something unique to music lovers, but at the same time, retain the essence of our father’s music and philosophy. He was a purist and hence we thought what could be a better way to celebrate him this year than bring his students AR Rahman, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam and Shaan together on stage to celebrate his legacy. They have all been hugely invested in planning the show, with Rahman bhai curating a special set. We can’t wait to have the audiences see the magic unfold.”
