About (English)

Babar Latif – (Delhi Gharana)

Born on 22nd January in a highly esteemed musical family in Delhi, India, Babar Latif represents the fifth generation of an illustrious musical lineage. He is the son of the legendary Tabla maestro, Late Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan, a stalwart of the Delhi Gharana (Dilli Gharana) of tabla. Babar Latif was initiated into the art of tabla by his revered father and later continued his rigorous training under the Khalifa of the Delhi Gharana, Late Ustad Munnu Khan Sahib.

On his maternal side as well, Babar Latif inherits a rich legacy of music. His mother, Begum Khursheed Latif, was the granddaughter of Ustad Chand Khan Sahib, the vocal Khalifa of the Delhi Gharana, further rooting Babar in the tradition of Delhi Gharana vocal music.

From an early age, Babar Latif dedicated himself to music, carrying forward the precious legacy of his family and Gharana traditions. Known for his technical virtuosity, spontaneity, clarity of tone, and sensitivity to melodic nuances, he has earned a reputation as one of the most accomplished and distinctive tabla players of his generation.

His playing style (Baaj) reflects the authentic traditions of the Delhi Gharana, marked by bold yet intricate rhythmic patterns. A dynamic soloist and a highly sought-after accompanist, he has shared the stage with numerous celebrated national and international artists, including:

• Padma Vibhushan Pt. Rajan & Pt. Sajan Mishra
• Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan Sahib
• Padma Shri Pt. Madhup Mudgal
• Pt. Jayateerth Mevundi
• Vidushi Sunanda Sharma
• Ustad Tanveer Ahmed Khan
• Padma Shri Ustad Shahid Parvez
• Ustad Shujaat Khan Sahib
• Ustad Nishat Khan Sahib
• Ustad Saeed Zafar Khan Sahib
• MBE Ustad Dharambir Singh
• Pt. Shubhendra Rao
• Padma Shri Pt. Rajendra Prasanna
• Pt. Ajay Prasanna, Shri Paras Nath
• Padma Shri Ustad Gulfam Ahmed
• Ustad Ayaan Ali Bangash
• Ustad Daud Khan Sadozai
• Pt. Prabhat Kumar
• Guru Smt. Nandini Singh
• Padma Shri Sunayana Hazarilal
• Pt. Jayant Kastuar
• Pt. Ram Mohan Maharaj
• Pt. Abhimanyu Lal
• Vidushi Vidha Lal
• Pt. Barun Kumar Pal
• Pt. Santosh Nahar
• Ustad Afzal Zahoor, Ustad Asghar Hussain
• Pt. Abhay Rustum Sopori
• Johnathan Mayer, Josh Feinberg, Bianca Gismonti, Julio Falavigna

He has also recorded with Grammy Award winner Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt for the album Ananta Music.

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Major International Performances

Babar Latif has represented Indian classical music on global platforms, performing at prestigious festivals and venues such as:

• BBC Proms – Indian Music Festival, Royal Albert Hall, LondonRaag-Mala Music Society – Monsoon in the City, Toronto & Vancouver, Canada
• Virasat Foundation, Canada
• South Asian Culture Circle, UK
• Music as Medicine, Manchester, UK
• SwarDhwani Music Festival, Wolverhampton, UK
• Staves Art Club, Cornwall, UK
• Asian Music Circuit Festival & Workshops, London
• Indian Classical Music Festivals, Brazil, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro
• Saaa Dhaa – Art of Kathak Festival, London
• Maakom Music Festival, Uzbekistan

…and numerous other national and international music festivals.

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Awards & Honors

Babar Latif's excellence has been recognized through several prestigious awards:

• Taal Ratan Award – Rides & Writers Society of India

• Sangat Saadhak Samman – Gandhi Hindustani Sahitya Sabha

• Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan Smriti Samman – Kalaa Vihar Sangeet Samiti

• Taal Shree Award – Navodit Kalakar Sangeet Sabha

• Swarveni Ratan Samman – Swarveni Music Academy

• Bharat Vandan Samman – Swar Sadhana Kendra

He is also:

• Grade ‘A’ artist of All India Radio (Delhi)

• An empaneled artist of ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations)

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