Acclaimed musician Ustad Bismillah Khan can be credited as the face of the very popular musical instrument - Shehnai. March 21, 2023 marks the 107th birth anniversary of the great Ustad. Born in a small village in 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar, he always had the musical bug in him.

Due to the fact that he himself served as a court musician for the king of Bhojpur, his father, Paighamber Bux Khan, is credited with fostering Bismillah's love of music. His grandfathers were musicians as well. He spent the majority of his time in Varanasi, where he passed away on August 21, 2006, after having produced music for more than seven decades.

Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah khan does not need any introduction as his work gave defines what a legend he was. He was born to a family of musicians, His father was a court musician employed in the Dumrao palace by the Raja of Bhojpur. He was trained by his uncle, the late Ali Baksh 'Vilayatu', who was also a shehnai player. His great grandfather Ustad Salar Hussain Khan and grandfather Rasool Baksh Khan were also musicians in the Dumrao palace.

Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan was born as Qamaruddin Khan on 21st march, 1916 in a traditional Muslim family of musicians in Bhirung Raut Ki Gali, Dumraon - in present-day Bihar

Ustad Bismillah Khan was very passionate about music and his shanayi  even after the death of his wife referred to his shehnai as begum (Wife)On the eve of India's Independence in 1947, Bismillah khan performed at the Red Fort in Delhi and on the eve of India's first Republic Day ceremony in 1950. He was awarded, Bharat Ratna in 2001 for his magnificent contribution.

He  aslo acted in Satyajit Ray's Jalsaghar and played the shehnai in Goonj Uthi Shehnai in 1959.  The legend died on 21 August 2006. on the occasion of his birth anniversary we thanks him for his significant contribution to music industry and to popularizes shennai.