Ustad Bismillah Khan used to say, “Even if the world ends, the music will still survive.” He was a visionary man with a sole objective of spreading love and peace through music.
Today India celebrates the 102nd Birthday of Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan. Born on 21st March 1916, in a family of traditional Muslim musicians in Bhirung Raut Ki Gali, Dumraon, the legendary Indian musician was extremely connected as well as devoted to his art and used to fondly refer his Shenai as his begum. Moreover, he almost had the monopoly over the instrument.
Meanwhile, perform at Delhi’s Red Fort on the eve of India’s Independence in 1947 as well as on Republic Day ceremony.
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On his birth anniversary, we like to check out his legacy as well as the prestigious awards and recognitions received by him:
- “Best Performer” in All India Music Conference, Allahabad (1930)
- Three medals in All India Music Conference, Calcutta (1937)
- Padma Shri (1961)
- Padma Bhusan (1968)
- Padma Vibhushan (1980)
- Talar Mausique from Republic of Iran (1992)
- Fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi (1994)
- Bharat Ratna (2001)
Ustad Bismillah Khan Ji didnt even leave his
favourte Banaras where the notes of his shehnai wafted across the Kashi Vishwanath and Sankat Mochan temples and intermingled with the placid waters of the Ganga.#ustadbismillahkhan #BismillahKhan #IncredibleIndia #Tribute #Birthday pic.twitter.com/Ss0VWpI0sA— Tushar Varanasi (@Tusharsindia) March 21, 2018
After Ustad’s sudden demise at the age of 90 on 21st August 2006, Sangeet Natak Akademi, a National Level Academy in New Delhi initiated the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar in 2007, in his honour. The award is usually given to the young artists who have excelled in the field of music, theatre, and dance.
Today, Search Engine Google honoured Bismillah Khan on his 102nd birth anniversary displaying a special doodle on its Indian home page for him.
