Ikhlaq Hussain's roots in the Delhi Gharana (school) of classical music date back eight centuries to the legendry Sufi Saint Hazrat Amir Khusrao, the creator of the sitar and tabla in the early 13th century. While the Delhi Gharana is known for its prolific work in the field of tabla, rhythmic expression and composition, Ikhlaq's grandfather Ustad Ahmadi Khan was the first in the lineage to play the sarangi. Ikhlaq's father, the eminent Ustad Imdad Hussain, devoted his musical life to playing the sitar. Seeking out an expanded perspective of classical music, Ikhlaq proceeded on a scholarship from the Government of India to study with the renowned Pundit Ravi Shankar in New Delhi India in 1991. Ikhlaq's personal mission is to promote South Asian classical music through teaching and performing. He believes that preserving and transferring his rich musical tradition and heritage will help to create and maintain peace at home and in the world. He was awarded permanent residency status in US on the basis of being an outstanding artist of international status. Since 2001, he has been residing in New York City. He has recently been invited to be the prestigious Artist–in-Residence at the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art (DDFIA) at Shangri La, housed in the former estate of Doris Duke in Honolulu, Hawaii. To learn more about Ikhlaq Hussain, please visit http://ragasitar.com