Shehnai’s Eternal Voice: Remembering Ustad Bismillah Khan on His DeathAnniversary

By Amit Kumar

As the soulful sound of the shehnai drifts across the ghats of Varanasi, India pauses today to
remember Ustad Bismillah Khan, the man whose artistry transformed a folk instrument into a symbol
of the nation’s musical soul.
Born as Qamruddin Khan on March 21, 1916, in Dumraon, Bihar, he grew up surrounded by a family
of accomplished musicians. It was his move to Varanasi and the guidance of his uncle, Ali Baksh, that
laid the foundation for a musical journey that would span continents and generations.
Ustad Bismillah Khan’s daily practice—his riyaz—on the banks of the Ganga was legendary, infusing
his music with the serenity and spirit of the sacred river. His performances exuded not just technical
perfection but a unique emotional depth, an expression of India’s rich tapestry of traditions. Despite
being a devout Muslim, he frequently played at Hindu temples—a living example of unity in diversity,
believing, as he often said, that “music is the highest form of worship”.
His breakthrough came at the 1937 All India Music Conference in Calcutta, where Bismillah Khan’s
shehnai captivated listeners and connoisseurs alike, earning the instrument a revered place in
Hindustani classical music. When the tricolor was unfurled at the Red Fort in 1947, ushering in India’s
independence, it was Khan’s shehnai that heralded the dawn for millions.
Despite accolades that included the Bharat Ratna and every major national award, the maestro
remained tied to the simple life of Varanasi. Humble, dedicated, and deeply spiritual, he found
inspiration in the city’s timeless ghats until his final days. He passed away on August 21, 2006, but his
legacy endures, continuing to unite and inspire people across barriers of language, culture, and faith.
On his death anniversary, Ustad Bismillah Khan is remembered not only for his matchless music, but
for embodying the spirit of harmony—a reminder that the truest art bridges every divide.