The deep influence of Ustad Rahmat Haddu Khan can easily be verified when one hears the old crackled recording of the famous Bhairavi composition 'Jamuna Ke Teer' by Rahmat Haddoo Khan and then hears the later recorded version of 'Jamuna Ke Teer' by Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. This meeting with Ustad Rahmat Haddoo Khan brought about a sea change in Ustad Abdul Karim Khan's style as is evident from the difference in approach between the 1905 recordings of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, made available via the 'Chairman's Choice' set of recordings a few years back, and the later recordings brought out by HMV earlier. Ustad Abdul Karim Khan's earlier singing was a blitzkrieg of tayyari (fast flourishing taan patterns) and did not have the same thehrav (calmness and serene unfolding of the raga) and divine appeal that developed after this meeting.

In spite of all the fame and adulation that he received, Abdul Karim Khan always lived frugally like a Sadhu (holy man). Although frail in stature, Khan Saheb was a man of disciplined habits and excercised regularly. He was a devout Muslim and a devotee of Pir Shamma Mira, a mystic saint of Miraj. On the other hand, Khan Saheb had respect for his Hindu ancestory, and he took pride in his Hindu ancestors like Nayak Dhondu, a court musician of Raja Man Singh of Gwalior (1486-1516 A.D.). In his musical works he used to write 'Om Tatsat Samavedaya Namah'. It is said that he had so trained his pet dog, that it could sing all the notes of an octave very well. There are records of Khan Saheb demonstrating his dog's prowess in music.

All said, one incident in Khan Saheb's life triumphs over all others, and gives us a deep insight into his spiritual psyche where music was God. It is said that in 1937, on way to Pondicherry while coming back from the Madras Presidency, feeling unwell and restless, he detrained at one of the intermediate stations to take some rest. To his disciples he said, "Chadar bichao, saaz bandho, ab janey ka vakt ho raha hai." (Let us settle down, tune the instruments, it is time to go). After the instruments were tuned, he started singing his favourite raga Darbari. A few moments later he fell unconscious. The friends and disciples started crying. The colossus of music had passed away.