August 21, 2024 marks the 18th death anniversary of Ustad Bismillah Khan, the revered Shehnai maestro whose contributions to Indian music have left an indelible mark. Born Qamruddin Khan on March 21, 1916, in Dumraon, Bihar, he moved to Varanasi at the age of six to study the Shehnai under his maternal uncle, Ali Baksh ‘Vilayatu’ Khan, who played at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Ustad Bismillah Khan elevated the Shehnai from a traditional temple instrument to the center stage of concert performances. His iconic performance at the Red Fort on the eve of India’s independence in 1947 is a defining moment in Indian musical history.

A symbol of communal harmony, Khan credited his skills to the blessings of Lord Vishwanath. His musical prowess also extended to cinema; his Shehnai performance in the 1977 Kannada film "Sannadi Appanna," starring Rajkumar, was a notable success.

Throughout his life, Ustad Bismillah Khan received numerous accolades, including the Bharat Ratna, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. He was also honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Tansen Award. Banaras Hindu University and Visva Bharati University awarded him honorary doctorates. In tribute, a postage stamp was issued in his honor by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Khan passed away on August 21, 2006, due to cardiac arrest. His final wish to perform the Shehnai at India Gate for the martyrs of India was left unfulfilled.

The Legacy of Ustad Bismillah Khan: Unfulfilled Promises and Preservation Efforts

Despite the promises made by the government and politicians to honor Ustad Bismillah Khan's legacy, significant actions have fallen short. The Bihar government had pledged to establish a university in his name and develop his birthplace in Buxur Lok Sabha constituency. 

In 2016, his foster daughter, Shoma Ghosh, founded the Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan Academy in Varanasi to preserve the rich musical heritage of both Bismillah Khan and other legends. 
As we remember Ustad Bismillah Khan today, it is a moment to reflect on both his monumental contributions to music and the continuing need to honor and preserve his legacy.

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