Salimuddin Kalavant is born into a family of hereditary musicians who have carried with them a rich knowledge of traditional tabla repertoire. He was trained under his father Ustad Reheman Khan, the tabla maestro. During his training with his father, Salimuddin Kalavant received the knowledge of the four main tabla gharanas, namely Delhi, Ajrada, Farukhabad, and Purab, that he works to preserve today. Ustad Reheman Khan Kalavant, is considered a leading tabla master of his generation.

Salimuddin Kalavant is the brother of Ustad Kadar Khan, who hold the authority for four tabla gharanas, namely Delhi, Purab, Farukhabad and Ajrada. Salimuddin Kalavant is dedicated towards preserving the Kalavant traditon of tabla playing. Besides being the present director of Naad Niket Music Academy, a charitable organization in Ahmedabad, India, he has been associated with the Academy since 1982, Salimuddin Kalavant is also an educator, as he on the teaching staff of Naad Niket Music Academy. While being a traditional artist and a preserver of his art, he has performed with many national and international musicians. His son Imran Khan, and his nephew Feroz Khan, both dynamic tabla players of today, represent his knowledge.