Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University, Lucknow was established in 1926, as a music school in Lucknow by Pt.Vishnu NarayanBhatkhande with the help andco-operation of Rai Umanath Bali and Rai Rajeshwar Bali and other musicpatrons and connoisseurs of Lucknow, culturally vibrant princely stateof Awadh.

This institution was inaugrated at the hands of the then Governor of Awadh Sir William Marris and was named after him as "MarrisColloege of Music".

In 1966, the state goverment of Uttar Pradesh brought this college under its controland aptly renamed it after its founder as "Bhatkhande College ofHindustani Music."