Early life and background
Zohrabai was born in 1868 in Agra, North-Western Provinces, British India. An exponent of the Agra gharana of the Hindustani Classical Music, she took on the surname ''Agrewali'' that translates to "from Agra". During the early years of her life, Zohrabai received training from Ustad Sher Khan, Ustad Kallan Khan and the noted composer Mehboob Khan (''Daras Piya'').Performing career
Zohrabai performed and recorded tracks from such forms of the Hindustani classical music as khayal as well as lighter varieties including thumri and ghazals which she learned from Ahmad Khan of Dhaka. Zoharabai's 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 held her in high regard. The Gramophone Company of India signed an exclusive contract with her in 1908 with a payment of Rs 2,500 per year for 25 songs. Zohrabai recorded over 60 songs during 1908–1911. In 1994, her 18 most famous songs were reissued on one audiotape followed by a compact disc in 2003. Only a few short pieces by Zohrabai survive in the form of 78 rpm recordings; some of the notable tracks include the 1909 pieces "Matki More re Goras" in raga Jaunpuri (raga), Jaunpuri and ''Dekhen ko Man Lalchay'' in raga (Sohini). A select few of the 78 rpm recordings were made available for streaming oReferences
{{authority control Entertainers from Agra Hindustani singers 1868 births 1913 deaths Indian women classical singers 20th-century Indian singers 19th-century Indian singers Indian courtesans Veena players Singers from Uttar Pradesh Women Hindustani musicians 19th-century Indian women singers 20th-century Indian women singers Women musicians from Uttar Pradesh 20th-century Khyal singers Musicians from British India External linksZohrabai Agrewali
on SoundCloud