The Legend
Bharat Ratna Late Dr. Ustad Bismillah Khan
- The Shahnai
The Shahnai is a wind instrument made of reed which has been allegorically treated like the human soul, vitalized by the divine breath. Ironically, the section of wind instruments lay neglected in the hierarchy of Indian classical Instruments, till Bharat Ratna Late Dr. Ustad Bismillah Khan’s wizardry won for the Shahnai a position on center stage transforming it into a concert instrument from a mere adjunct to Temple ritual. In the process he ensured for all Shahnai artists a respectable and honored place in the firmament of Music. Ustad Bismillah Khan rightly deserves to be called the profounder and the augmenter of the humblest instrument to the pinnacle of highest stature at the international arena of classical music.
- The Legend Bharat Ratna Late Dr. Ustad Bismillah Khan Sahab
Born on 21 st March 1916 in a family of professional Shehnai players of princely state Dumraon in Bihar, he shifted to his maternal uncle's house. Ustad Ali Baux, who had established himself as an eminent Shehnai player in Benaras. Under the able guidance of his maternal uncle, he learnt the intrinsic crafts of the instrument. He started his practice (Reyaz) in solitude on the Banks of the Ganges and in devote Temples of ‘Balaji’ and its adjacent Temples like ‘Jarau Mandir’ and ‘Mangla Gauri’ etc. His per performencr both in India and abroad have always forged linkes between men temples and river a bond whose depth few can comprehend. He has the blessings of the holy temples of Varanasi and observed many transcendental evemts during his practice in the temples. He has perform in the film 'Gonj Uthi Shahnai' and 'Sanadhi Apanna'. Despite the grand success of both the films. He could not adjust himself with the artificiality and glamour of the film world due to his pious and God fearing temperament and has not accepted any further offer. He is well known as an artist of Shahnai in ALL INDIA RADIO and TELEVISION. He treat it as a speacial privilage having performed on the blessed occasion of countries 50 year of Independence on 15th August 1997 at Diwan-E-Aam Red Fort sponsered by the Ministry of Human Resources Development Government Of India. Immaculately dressed in pure India attire, his sparten life style and simple habits have endeared him to all. His humble behaviour and simple life style can be cited as an example does not interface him in comprehending the pain, agonies and deprivation of the world's distressed classes. He has been known the world over for his God fearing pious and religious nature and the love for mankind at large. He has a deep attachment to the temples and holy Ganges that held him back from pursuing a glamorous career in U.S.A. He also rejected various offers as Music Director in films and devoted his time wholly to Indian Classical Music.
- Divine Unity
Where others see conflict and contradiction between his music and his religion, Bharat Ratna Late Dr. Ustad Bismillah Khan sees only a divine unity.
“All my songs are to the devotion of Thee,
All my tunes are the shadowy images of Thee,
My dreams are visited by celestial fairies of music;
In my sleep I keep fluting shehnai to welcome Thee.”
All my tunes are the shadowy images of Thee,
My dreams are visited by celestial fairies of music;
In my sleep I keep fluting shehnai to welcome Thee.”
The legendary shehnai maestro was a man of tenderness, a man who believe in remaining private and who believe that musicians were supposed to be heard and not seen.
Bharat Ratna Late Dr. Ustad Bismillah Khan, whose name has become synonymous with Shehnai, symbolized the secular ethos of Indian Classical Music. The country and the music world have suffered an irreparable loss by his demise. Though the Ustad is no more with us, the melodious voice of his Shehnai will eternally echo in the minds and hearts of humanity. Some significant chronology foreign tour, awards and honoris causa doctorate are enumerated for the sake of references.
- Traditional Ancestry
(Great-Great Grand Father)
Shahnai Nawaz Late Ustad Husain Bux Khan
(Great Grand Father)
Shahnai Nawaz Late Rasool Bux Khan
(Grand Father)
Shahnai Nawaz Late Paighamber Bux Khan
(Father)
- Some Importent Awards
- BHARAT RATNA AWARD
The President Shri K.R Narayanan conferred the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna Award on May 4, 2001.
- FEW OTHER SIGNIFICANT AWARDS
Padma Bhushan.
Padma Vibhushan.
Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Award.
Academy Award of India & Nepal.
Sanjeet Samrat.
Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Award.
Academy Award of India & Nepal.
Sanjeet Samrat.
Shahnai Chakravarty.
Soviet Land Nehru Award.
Soviet Land Nehru Award.
Tansen Award (M.P. Govt.)
Kala Saraswati (A.P. Govt.)
Swarlay Award (T.N. Govt.)
Swarlay Award (T.N. Govt.)
Yash Bharti (U.P. Govt.)
- HONORIS CAUSA DOCTORATE
Shanti Niketan Bolpur (Bengal)
Marathwada University (Maharashtra)
Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi)
M. G. Kashi Vidyapeeth (Varanasi)
- Some Importent World's Tour
1962- National Day Celebration of the Government of Afghanistan also performed in Pakistan.
1965- Edinburg Festival, Common Wealth Arts Festival also performrd in London, various European Countries and visited.
1967- World Exposition In Montreal (Canada) Extensively toured U.S.A., U.S.S.R. and went for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and Iran.
1968- Shiraz Festival (Iran) also went to Nepal to receive the highest honour in the shape of a moment of Royal Nepal art Academy.
1969- Extensively toured and performrd in all the countries of Europe and installed the great cultural Festival organised by UNESCO at Cannes (France) Coventionally visited the shrines of Iran.
1970- Attend the World Exposition at OSAKA (Japan) also performed in HONKONG.
1973- Went as the Cultural deligate of India to celebrate in South America (Carribean) sea countries the silver jubilee of Independance of the country also performed in the Islands of West Indies like Guyana Surinam, Trinidad, Tabago, Cuba, Mexico, Spain etc. also went to pilgrimage of Syria, Iraq and Iran.
1974- Visited France performed at all importent places in South France, Paris, Germany, Sweden, Holland and Austria etc. Went for pilgramage to Syria, Iraq and Iran.
1976- Went of European tour and performed in U.K., France, Germany and Italy. Visited Iraq for pilgramage.
1979- Went to U.S.A. and performed in all importent cities, also went to the Shrine of Iraq.
1982- Went to Europe and performed in all the countries of the Continent Visited Iraq and Iran to pray at the shrines.
1984- Went to U.S.A. and Canada and played on all the importent cities of U.S.A. and Canada also visired Iraq and Syria for pilgrimage.
1990- Went to U.S.A. and performed in all the importent cities. California Portland, Viginia, Bosten, Chicago, Washington and New York etc. also went for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
1992- Went to Iran and performed in newly built Audotorium of Tehran. It was named after him.
1993- Went to U.K and Germeny and performed on national events.
1994- The tour was repeated in 1994 on special invitation form U.K., also performed in other Europeon countries.
1995- Went to New York (U.S.A.) on special invitation by the World Music Institute, New York.
1965- Edinburg Festival, Common Wealth Arts Festival also performrd in London, various European Countries and visited.
1967- World Exposition In Montreal (Canada) Extensively toured U.S.A., U.S.S.R. and went for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and Iran.
1968- Shiraz Festival (Iran) also went to Nepal to receive the highest honour in the shape of a moment of Royal Nepal art Academy.
1969- Extensively toured and performrd in all the countries of Europe and installed the great cultural Festival organised by UNESCO at Cannes (France) Coventionally visited the shrines of Iran.
1970- Attend the World Exposition at OSAKA (Japan) also performed in HONKONG.
1973- Went as the Cultural deligate of India to celebrate in South America (Carribean) sea countries the silver jubilee of Independance of the country also performed in the Islands of West Indies like Guyana Surinam, Trinidad, Tabago, Cuba, Mexico, Spain etc. also went to pilgrimage of Syria, Iraq and Iran.
1974- Visited France performed at all importent places in South France, Paris, Germany, Sweden, Holland and Austria etc. Went for pilgramage to Syria, Iraq and Iran.
1976- Went of European tour and performed in U.K., France, Germany and Italy. Visited Iraq for pilgramage.
1979- Went to U.S.A. and performed in all importent cities, also went to the Shrine of Iraq.
1982- Went to Europe and performed in all the countries of the Continent Visited Iraq and Iran to pray at the shrines.
1984- Went to U.S.A. and Canada and played on all the importent cities of U.S.A. and Canada also visired Iraq and Syria for pilgrimage.
1990- Went to U.S.A. and performed in all the importent cities. California Portland, Viginia, Bosten, Chicago, Washington and New York etc. also went for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
1992- Went to Iran and performed in newly built Audotorium of Tehran. It was named after him.
1993- Went to U.K and Germeny and performed on national events.
1994- The tour was repeated in 1994 on special invitation form U.K., also performed in other Europeon countries.
1995- Went to New York (U.S.A.) on special invitation by the World Music Institute, New York.
Ustad Nayyar Husain Khan Bismillah:
The eldest son of the Shehnai legend, Bharat Ratna Late Dr. Ustad Bismillah Khan, is himself a versatile exponent of the Shehnai, and has accompanied his father in almost all the major concerts, across the world. After his father's death, Ustad Nayyar Husain Khan Bismillah has been entrusted with the responsibility of taking forward the legacy of the Shehnai, which is becoming an Endangered Classical Instrument of India.
A Brief Profile Of Ustad Nayyar Husain Khan “Bismillah” S/o Late “Bharat Ratna” Dr. Ustad Bismillah Khan
Ustab Nayyar Husain Khan “Bismillah”
Born on 22nd April 1940 in a family of professional Shahnai player of a princely state Bhojpur–Dumraon Bihar under the able guidance of his father (Late “Bharat Ratna” Ustad Bismillah Khan) he learnt the intrinsic crafts of the instrument and since the tender age of seven years, he started his practice (Reyaz) in solitude on the Banks of the Ganges and in devote Temples of ‘Balaji’ and its adjacent Temples like ‘Jarau Mandir’ and ‘Mangla Gauri’ etc. with his father.Which not only offered to him the higher forms of improvisation but also by sheer merit of his dextrity. His per performencr both in India and abroad have always forged linkes between men temples and river a bond whose depth few can comprehend. He has the blessings of the holy temples of Varanasi and observed many transcendental evemts during his practice in the temples. He however avoid to quote them as advised by his father and teacher. He has accompained with his father in the film 'Gonj Uthi Shahnai' and 'Sanadhi Apanna'. Despite the grand success of both the films. He could not adjust himself with the artificiality and glamour of the film world due to his pious and God fearing temperament and has not accepted any further offer. He is well known as an artist of Shahnai in ALL INDIA RADIO and TELEVISION. He has toured with his father. Whenever he went for instence World Exposition in Montreal (Canada) in the year 1967. Cannes (France) Art Festival in 1969 and the world Exposition in OSAKA (Japan) in the year 1970 etc. He treat it as a speacial privilage having performed on the blessed occasion of countries 50 year of Independence on 15th August 1997 at Diwan-E-Aam Red Fort sponsered by the Ministry of Human Resources Development Government Of India. Immaculately dressed in pure India attire, his sparten life style and simple habits have endeared him to all. His humble behaviour and simple life style can be cited as an example does not interface him in comprehending the pain, agonies and deprivation of the world's distressed classes. He has been known the world over for his God fearing pious and religious nature like his father and the love for mankind at large. Though Usrad Nayyar Husain Khan 'Bismillah' has attained a stature and status which does not warrent any introduction yet customarily some significant chronology foreign tour and awards are enumerated for thr sake of references.
- Traditional Ancestry
Shahnai Nawaz Late Ustad Salar Husain
(Great-Great-Great Grand Father)
Shahnai Nawaz Late Ustad Husain Bux Khan
(Great-Great Grand Father)
Shahnai Nawaz Late Rasool Bux Khan
(Great Grand Father)
Shahnai Nawaz Late Paighamber Bux Khan
(Grand Father)
'Bharat Ratna' Late Dr. Ustad Bismillah Khan
(Father)
- Some Importent World's Tour
1962- National Day Celebration of the Government of Afghanistan also performed in Pakistan.
1965- Edinburg Festival, Common Wealth Arts Festival also performrd in London, various European Countries and visited.
1967- World Exposition In Montreal (Canada) Extensively toured U.S.A., U.S.S.R. and went for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and Iran.
1968- Shiraz Festival (Iran) also went to Nepal to receive the highest honour in the shape of a moment of Royal Nepal art Academy with his father.
1969- Extensively toured and performrd in all the countries of Europe and installed the great cultural Festival organised by UNESCO at Cannes (France) Coventionally visited the shrines of Iran.
1970- Attend the World Exposition at OSAKA (Japan) also performed in HONKONG.
1973- Went as the Cultural deligate of India to celebrate in South America (Carribean) sea countries the silver jubilee of Independance of the country also performed in the Islands of West Indies like Guyana Surinam, Trinidad, Tabago, Cuba, Mexico, Spain etc. also went to pilgrimage of Syria, Iraq and Iran.
1974- Visited France performed at all importent places in South France, Paris, Germany, Sweden, Holland and Austria etc. Went for pilgramage to Syria, Iraq and Iran.
1976- Went of European tour and performed in U.K., France, Germany and Italy. Visited Iraq for pilgramage.
1979- Went to U.S.A. and performed in all importent cities, also went to the Shrine of Iraq.
1982- Went to Europe and performed in all the countries of the Continent Visited Iraq and Iran to pray at the shrines.
1984- Went to U.S.A. and Canada and played on all the importent cities of U.S.A. and Canada also visired Iraq and Syria for pilgrimage.
1990- Went to U.S.A. and performed in all the importent cities. California Portland, Viginia, Bosten, Chicago, Washington and New York etc. also went for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
1992- Went to Iran and performed in newly built Audotorium of Tehran. It was named after Ustad Bismillah Khan.
1993- Went to U.K and Germeny and performed on national events.
1994- The tour was repeated in 1994 on special invitation form U.K., also performed in other Europeon countries.
1995- Went to New York (U.S.A.) on special invitation by the World Music Institute, New York.
2006- After father's death Ustad Nayyar Husain Khan 'Bismillah' performed his first programme on 9th September 2006 at King's circle 'Shanmukhanand Hall' in Bombay. 27th November 2006. 'Ganga Mahotsava' Varanasi Chief Guest Kendriya Dev Depawali Mahasamiti 'Virasat' 2006 Sri Sai Baba Charitable Trust Varanasi. 'Lucknow Mahotsav' 25th November 2006. The Chief Minister Of Utter Pradesh honourable Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav honoured with a 'Smriti Chinha'. The President of India honourable Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam also awarded him. Ustad Nayyar Husain Khan Bismillah has visited and performed in the entire civilized world and has attained Laurel for mother land. He says regarding classical music thus. "Music represents soul. It need deep devotion and life free from prejudices, sins and inordinate desire and habits one should beleive in the doctrines of all religion which only imparts a way to good life and salvation."
Office : Ck 39/10, Kundigar Tola, Dalmandi Road,
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Phone / Fax : 0542-2401160
Mobile : 09415302920
