#memory
Bismilla Khan.
21 August is the death anniversary of the greatest Shehanai player of all times, Ustad Bismilla Khan .
Born in Damaraon in British India in a family of musicians, Bismillah Khan at age 3, moved to Varanasi to be apprenticed under his maternal uncle Ali Bux Vilayat Khan, who was a Shehanai player attached to the Kasi Vishwanath temple.
His genius brought the Shehanai to the centre-stage of Indian classical instruments.
Bismilla Khan was afforded the rare honour of playing on the occasion of the Independance Day celebrations in 1947, and the Republic Day celebrations in 1950.
He grew up and lived on the footsteps of the Kashi (Varanasi) Viswanath temple and was the epitome of secularism. His religion was music and he had adopted a daughter, Dr Soma Ghosh, a classical singer.
A grateful nation conferred on him the foremost honour, Bharat Ratna.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
