Art & Music
Ustad Bismillah Khan
The shehnai maestro from Dumraon who took a ceremonial instrument to the concert stage, and played at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947.
Ustad Bismillah Khan was born Qamaruddin Khan on 21 March 1916 at Dumraon, in present-day Buxar district, into a family of traditional musicians. His father was a court musician at Dumraon.
The shehnai had mostly been played at weddings and temple ceremonies. Khan’s virtuosity took it to the concert stage and made him one of the leading artists of Hindustani classical music. On 15 August 1947 he played at Delhi’s Red Fort as India’s flag was raised at independence.
He received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 2001. When he died in 2006, the country observed a day of national mourning.
Achievements
- Bharat Ratna, 2001
- Performed at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947
DistrictBuxar
