Kokab Rashid: Exploring Contemporary Sounds While Staying Rooted in Classical Music
The relationship between tradition and contemporary music is an important part of Kokab Rashid’s musical approach.
A vocalist belonging to the Delhi Gharana of Hindustani Classical Music, Kokab has received extensive classical training but has also developed an interest in contemporary musical arrangements and diverse performance styles.
His musical foundation was established during childhood. His grandfather, Ustad Zafar Ahmed Khan, was his first teacher and introduced him to music at an early age. He subsequently trained under Khalifa Late Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan and currently continues his training under Ustad Fareed Hasan Khan. His father, Ustad Rashid Zafar, has also provided continuous guidance throughout his musical development.
Classical music remains central to Kokab’s identity as a vocalist. At the same time, his performances extend into semi-classical, Sufi and Bollywood music.
He has also experimented with contemporary and rock arrangements of popular songs. These projects give him an opportunity to explore different sounds and performance formats while retaining the musical discipline developed through his classical education.
His formal academic journey reflects his commitment to music as a field of study as well. After completing his B.A. in Music (Vocal) from Hindu College, University of Delhi, he completed his M.A. in Music (Vocal) from the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts, University of Delhi. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Music from the same faculty.
Kokab has also been recognised through the CCRT National Scholarship in the classical category and as the winner of BIG FM’s Big Golden Voice.
His stage experience includes performances at the Global Literacy Festival, Jashn-e-Hind, Dilli Durbar, Chand Sangeet Festival and Jashn-E-Tehzeeb.
His contemporary experiments do not replace his classical identity. Instead, they represent another dimension of his work as a vocalist—one that allows him to engage with newer sounds while remaining connected to the tradition in which he was trained.
For Kokab, musical versatility is about expanding the possibilities of expression without losing the foundation that shaped him.
Follow Kokab Rashid
For more updates, performances, and musical content, follow Kokab Rashid on social media:
Instagram: @krvocal_ on Instagram
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