The post The Shehanai Plays On: Recalling Ustad Bismillah Khan On His 102nd Birth Anniversary appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.
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For generations of past and current Indians, the subtle melodies of the humble shehnai were recognized and raised beyond traditional Indian weddings thanks to the master of the instrument – Ustad Bismillah Khan. Born in Dumraon, in the Buxar district of British India on March 21 in 1916, the maestro passed away on August 21, 2006. On his 102nd birthday today, we continue to remember him and his rich musical legacy that he left behind.
Hailing from a family of traditional musicians, Ustad’s father, grandfather, and great grandfather were court musicians who played in the palace of the Raja of Bhojpur. Ustad had the privilege of playing his shehani at the Red Fort at the time of India’s independence, on August 14, 1947. Thereafter, it became an annual affair. It is little wonder then, that Bismillah’s stature led him to become a recipient of India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2001, being only the third Indian musician to be awarded the tribute after MS Subbulakshmi and Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Having begun playing the shehnai at the age of 14, it was his concert at the Calcutta All India Music Conference in 1937 that shot him and the shehnai into the mainstream of classical music in India, after which the instrument and the man become synonymous with each other. His reverence for the shehnai was so much so that after the death of his wife, he began referring to his instrument as ‘Begum’. As a result, in a mark of respect, his shehnai was buried with him when he passed away.
A gentle soul, Ustad was known as a symbol of communal harmony. He has performed all around the world and has been venerated by various orgganisations. The Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi brought out an award in his name in 2007, titled, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar. India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 5 in 2008. And among many others, Google is celebrating his brith anniversary with his image as today’s Google Doodle. The image has been illustrated by Chennai-based illustrator Vijay Krish, in which the musician is seen playing his shehnai.
Source: Google
Hark back to those mesmerising tunes through one of his performances below:
Source: YouTube
The post The Shehanai Plays On: Recalling Ustad Bismillah Khan On His 102nd Birth Anniversary appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.
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