Born 1868, I am one of the most noted and influential singers of Hindustani Classical Music from the early 1900s. Along with Gauhar Jan, we mark the dying phase of the courtesan singing tradition in North Indian classical music.

I belong to the Agra gharana and was trained by Ustad Sher Khan, Ustad Kallan Khan and the noted composer Mehboob Khan (Daras Piya). I am known both for khayal as well as lighter varieties including Thumri and Ghazals which I learned from Ahmad Khan of Dhaka. My singing influenced Ustad Faiyaz Khan, the greatest name in the Agra Gharana in modern times, and even Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan of the Patiala Gharana loved me very much.

I have recorded many 78 rpm recordings, including the now famous "matki more re goras" in raga Jaunpuri and "dekhen ko man lalchay" in raga Sohni in 1909.