Mohammad Umar

A 34-years-old artist from Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Mohammad Umar has been learning music through his ancestral musical lineage of Qawwali. He has been accompanying his father, Kallu Khan, for the last eight years and draws all his inspiration from him. After studying till 5th grade, he left his studies and started working as a tourist guide. Despite all the ups and downs in his life, he has been working hard towards achieving mastery in his craft and pursues it with tremendous joy. He considers his father and Azeez Chishti Ji as his gurus and speaks very highly of their teaching and achievements in the field of music. Md. Umar also believes that music has the power to cure people not just of their ailments but by providing a deep sense of peace and relaxation. He is also familiar with the art of playing a dholak, apart from singing in the chorus. He has performed in various locations within the state, throughout the country and wishes to go abroad. Apart from singing in the Dargah, he also plays Dholak at jagrans and bhajan mandalis and pulled off brilliant performances at festivals across India. He regards his performance at Taj Mahotsav, Agra, as the most memorable experience, he has had. He lives in a family of 4 people with his wife and two daughters. After leaving his tourist guide job, he has been singing in the Salim Chishti Dargah to make ends meet. Despite all his struggles, he strives to keep developing his craft and dreams to dedicate his life to Baba Chishti someday in the future to see himself succeed through the art that he loves so much.

• Braj
• Uttar Pradesh