Hindustani Classical music was traditionally passed down from the maestro to the disciple. This tradition known as the guru-shishya parampara helped nurture some of the greatest artistes. "Baba" Allauddin Khan (1862-1972) court musician of the princely state of Maihar, was the guru whose disciples themselves went on to become musical legends in their own right. "Baba" taught his disciples of the Maihar Band the nuances of Hindustani Classical music as well as Western music tunes. The Maihar Band lost yet another musician yesterday. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, the sarod player who popularized the complex instrument among Western listeners died on 18 June 2009 at age 87 in California.