Kokab Rashid: From Early Musical Training to a Growing Career in Vocal Performance
Kokab Rashid’s relationship with music began long before it became a professional pursuit. Introduced to music during childhood, he has spent years developing his skills through traditional training, formal education, stage performance and teaching.
His musical roots lie in the Delhi Gharana of Hindustani Classical Music. His grandfather, Ustad Zafar Ahmed Khan, was his first teacher and introduced him to the discipline of music at an early age.
His training later continued under Khalifa Late Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, and he currently learns from Ustad Fareed Hasan Khan. His father, Ustad Rashid Zafar, has also guided him continuously since childhood.
Kokab performed on stage for the first time at around six or seven years of age. That early experience gradually developed into a continuing interest in live performance, and over the years he has performed at cultural festivals and institutional programmes.
His formal education has followed the same musical direction. He completed his B.A. in Music (Vocal) from Hindu College, University of Delhi, and later earned an 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.
Alongside his academic and performance work, Kokab has developed a repertoire that allows him to work across different musical formats. His performances include classical, semi-classical, Sufi and Bollywood music.
He has also been involved in creating musical content and experimenting with different arrangements, including contemporary and rock-oriented interpretations of popular songs. These projects form another part of his exploration as a vocalist while his classical training continues to remain central to his musical identity.
His work has received recognition through the CCRT National Scholarship in the classical category and his achievement as the winner of BIG FM’s Big Golden Voice.
His performance credits include appearances at the Global Literacy Festival, Jashn-e-Hind, Dilli Durbar, Chand Sangeet Festival and Jashn-E-Tehzeeb.
Today, Kokab continues to build his professional career through three interconnected areas—performance, teaching and academic research. His journey from early musical training to professional vocal performance reflects a sustained engagement with music across generations, institutions and contemporary platforms.
Follow Kokab Rashid
For more updates, performances, and musical content, follow Kokab Rashid on social media:
Instagram: @krvocal_ on Instagram
Facebook: Kokab Rashid on Facebook
