Ustad

The Persian word استاد (ostad) is from Middle Persian 𐫀𐫇𐫏𐫘𐫤𐫀𐫅‎ (awestād, 'master, craftsman').

The title precedes the name and was historically usually used for well-regarded teachers and artists. It can be used for any sort of master of an art or occupation; for example, an acknowledged master motorcycle mechanic would be addressed as ustad.[2] The term is also used by an apprentice (shagird) for their teacher.

In Persian and in the Arabic-speaking world, it also refers to a university professor. Ustad is only used for qualified Islamic scholars in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Southern Thailand where it is a direct equivalent of terms such as shaykh in the Arab world, and mawlānā in the Indian Subcontinent. In the Maldives, the title al-usthaadh (އަލްއުސްތާޛު)[3] or its abbreviation Uz. is used by people who are licensed to practice law.

Ustad (abbreviated as Ust. or Ut. or Ud. and from Persian استاد) is an honorific title for an expert person in Indian classical singing and instrumental playing, used for a Muslim musician. It is used in Hindustani classical music to recognize master performers. It is used as a music title. An expert other than a Hindu musician is given the title of ustad. The title is awarded to musicians by their teachers, prominent individuals, or members of their gharana in recognition of their expertise.[4] It is used in various languages including Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi. A Muslim woman who is an expert in Indian classical music is given the title of begum; some examples include Begum Akhtar and Begum Parveen Sultana. Pandit is the equivalent title for a Hindu man, and Vidushi, Pandita, or Panditain for a Hindu woman.

• Baily, John (2001). "Ustād". In Sadie, Stanley (ed.). The New Grove dictionary of music and musicians (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 0-333-60800-3.
• Platts dictionary