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The Bharat Ratna awardee, Ustad Bismillah Khan is a legend of Shehnai in India. Despite being a devout Muslim, he managed to step outside the religious boundaries through his music. He became a symbol of harmony, performing at Hindu and Muslim ceremonies. His talent was recognized on the national stage when he was chosen to play the shehnai at the historic Red Fort on India’s Independence Day in 1947, a performance (in Raag Kafi) that continues to be televised annually. In this article, we will cover everything about Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Table of Contents
Overview of Ustad
The legend of Shehnai had a lot of things that people would talk about. Here is an overview of the Ustad.
| Fact | Description |
| Name | Qamaruddin Khan (AKA Ustad Bismillah Khan) |
| Lifespan | 1916 – 2006 |
| Instrument | Shehnai (reeded woodwind) |
| Genre | Hindustani Classical Music |
| Legacy | Popularized the shehnai, and elevated its status to concert halls |
| Religion | Muslim |
| Symbol of | Religious Harmony |
| Notable Performance | India’s Independence Day (1947) |
| International Recognition | Edinburgh International Festival (1966) |
Personal Life- Ustad Bismillah Khan
Ustad Bismillah Khan was not the only musician in his family. He was born into a family of musicians.
- He is a Bharat Ratna awardee, which is the highest civilian honour in India.
- Bismillah Khan, born Qamruddin, came from a long line of musicians. His father and both grandfathers were musicians in the Dumraon palace.
- He received his nickname “Bismillah” from his grandfather at birth.
- At age 3, he moved to Varanasi to apprentice under his maternal uncle, a renowned shehnai player at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
- By 14, he was already accompanying his uncle to music conferences.
- His big break came in 1937 with a performance at the All India Music Conference that brought the shehnai to national attention.
- He became an international performer, travelling to countries across the globe throughout his career.
Also Read- 20 Facts About Music That Will Amaze You
Tributes to Bismillah Khan
The legendary Ustad Bismillah Khan has been honoured many times with many different titles. Here is a list of his major tributes.
| Tribute | Description |
| Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar | Established in 2007 By Sangeet Natak Akademi For young artists in music, theatre, and dance |
| MuseumTown HallStatue | Proposed by the Bihar government |
| Google Doodle | Featured on Google India homepage For his 102nd birth anniversary in 2018 |
| Eric Clapton Documentary | Clapton cites Khan’s influence and attempts to mimic his music on guitar |
Also Read- 50 Inspiring & Great Personalities of India and the World!
Ustad Bismillah Khan’s Career
Here is everything you should know about the career of Ustad Bismillah Khan.
- While others may have played shehnai before him, Bismillah Khan is credited with significantly elevating its status by bringing it to concert halls and classical music performances.
- Undoubtedly, Bismillah Khan possessed exceptional talent, greatly contributing to the shehnai’s rise in popularity especially in India.
- His 1937 All India Music Conference concert marked a turning point, showcasing the shehnai’s potential to a wider audience.
- Playing the shehnai at India’s independence ceremony in 1947 and during Republic Day speeches solidified the instrument’s association with national celebrations.
- Bismillah Khan’s performances extended beyond India, garnering him international recognition.
- His fondness for his shehnai is evident in his unique term of endearment, “Begum” (wife).
FAQ
Although he practised the Muslim religion, he was still a true Indian because he would play Shehnai in temples.
Ustad Bismillah Khan used to play Shehnai. Born Qamaruddin Khan (1916-2006), Ustad Bismillah Khan became a legendary Indian musician, breathing new life into the shehnai.
In Banaras, under the tutelage of his uncle Ali Bux, Bismillah Khan found his musical calling, forever weaving the city with his artistic soul.
Related Reads
Hope you got to know about Ustad Bismillah Khan. For more related articles you can visit our page of famous personalities.