Biography of "Bismillah Khan"

Born: 21 March 1916, Dumraon
Died: 21 August 2006, Heritage Hospitals, Varanasi

A living legend, Ustad Bismillah Khan is a Shehnai maestro. He was born on March 21, 1916, in a family where his ancestors were court musicians in the princely state of Dumraon in Bihar. Bismillah Khan was trained by his uncle, the late Ali Bux 'Vilayatu'.

Ustad Bismillah Khan gave Shehnai its due status among other classical music instruments. He was the first musician to play the first tune for independent India in 1947. On the eve of India's first Republic Day ceremony, he poured his heart out into the Raga Kafi which he played on his Shehnai.

Bismillah Khan sees only a divine unity between his music and religion. His namaaz is the seven shuddh and five komal surs. Even as a devout Shia Muslim, Ustad Bismillah Khan is a staunch devotee of Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of music. Among numerous honours and awards he has been bequeathed are the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri, the Tansen Award and the Bharat Ratna.