Ustad Bismillah Khan Biography: The credit for making the Shehnai recognized is often given to Ustad Bismillah Khan. He played it so beautifully that he was one of the most famous musicians of India in his time.
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Shehnai has been a part of North Indian cultures and folks but Ustad Bismillah Khan brought the music instrument a new status with his majestic skills.
He was regarded as a symbol of religious harmony as he was a devoted Muslim but performed in ceremonies for Hindu deities as well. His fame was such high caliber that he performed in the Indian independence ceremony on 15 August 1947 at Red Fort as the Indian flag unfurled.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Biography
| Name | Ustad Bismillah Khan |
| Nickname | NA |
| Date of Birth | 21 March 1916 |
| Death | 21 August 2006 |
| Religion | Islam |
| Birth Place | Dumraon, Bihar and Orissa province, British India |
| Hometown | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Education | Banaras Hindu University |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Musician |
| Parents | Father: Paigambar Bux Khan |
| Mother: Mitthanbai | |
| Siblings | Sister: NA |
| Brother: NA |
Ustad Bismillah Khan Wiki
Ustad Bismillah Khan was born to a Muslim family of musicians. He was the second son of Paigambar Bux Khan and Mitthanbai.
His father was a court musician of Maharaja Keshav Prasad Singh of Dumraon Raj. When he was 3 his family moved to Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh to get mentored by his uncle Ali Bux Khan. At the age of 14, he accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad music conference.
In 1937 he played at a concert at All India Music Conference in Calcutta. He rejected many offers to play his music abroad until 1966 at the Edinburgh International Festival. He then went on to play Shehnai in Afghanistan, the USA, Canada, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, West Africa, Japan, Hong Kong and various parts of Europe.
Ustad Bismillah Khan’s Birthdate and Birthplace
Ustad Bismillah Khan was born to a Muslim family of musicians in Dumraon, Bihar and Orissa province, British India on 21 March 1916
Ustad Bismillah Khan Death
Ustad Bismillah Khan died of cardiac arrest on 17 March 2006 at the of 90. His last wish was to play his Shehnai at India Gate to pay tributes to the martyrs but this was never fulfilled. The government declared the day of his death a national mourning day.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Legacy: Awards
- Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
- Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram T Choudayya National Award
- Fellow of Sangeet Natak Academy
- Tahar Mausique from the Republic of Iran
- Padma Vibhushan
- Padma Bhushan
- Padma Shri
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Tansen Award
- Three medals in All India Music Conference, Calcutta
