Akram Khan is the foremost exponent of the Ajrara gharana of tabla playing in India today. His training began from early childhood at the hands of his great grand father Ustad Mohamed Shafi Khan who introduced him first to the initial techniques and concepts of tabla. He then went on to study more intensively with Ustad Niazu Khan who was able to groom young Akram in the subtleties of tabla playing.

His father, tabla player Ustad Hasmat Ali Khan has been an inspiration thoughout his career. In recent times, Akram Khan has become one of the most popular accompanists having shared the stage with many of the great musicians of India including Ustad Vilayat Khan. His playing is noted for the beauty and balance of his sound and the marvellously subtle and sophisticated used of the bayan or bass drum.