Click here to read the BBC article on Bismillah Khan by Debabani Majumdar.
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Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan passed away due to a heart attack in Varanasi early morning on Monday. He was 90.
Khan was admitted to the Heritage Hospital on August 17 for treatment of electrolyte imbalance, family sources said.
The hospital authorities had even talked off discharging him in three to four days as he was improving day by day. However, his health deteriorated after midnight and he died around 2.30 am, they added.
The body has been taken to his residence at Harh Sarai in the city. The funeral is likely to take place in the evening.
Some top political leaders are expected to attend the last rites.
Born on March 21, 1916, Khan was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001.
He was also honoured with the Sangeet Natak Academi Award, the Tansen Award and the prestigious Padma Vibhushan.
The central government has declared one day’s national mourning. In Uttar Pradesh, all government offices and schools were declared closed on Monday as a mark of respect to Khan who will be given a state funeral, the state government announced.
Dear Reader,
By receving the very sad and unexpected death news of great Shahni Maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan every music lover is touched and shocked.
Not only India but, the whole world has lost such a great Musician.
May Allah bliss his soul.
His place will always be empty and it will take not years but, generations that such an artist is to be born.
I do hope that any one has one of his finest Jugalbandis in his or her disposal then he or she is kindly requested to donate it to the Sarangi web site and let those hear what they have never been able to hear from Ustadji.
With True regards,
Ali from Holland
Last of the generation of grand masters was Ustab Sahib and he will stay alive through his work.
It is really very heartbreaking to hear of the sudden demise of Sehnai Nawaz Ustad Bismillah Khan Sahab. Whenever, the name Sehnai comes we cannot escape Ustad’s name anyway. My deep respect to his soul being in peace.
Sad memories of the Gange, now that the soul of varanasi passed away.
Ode to the one who never leave this place.
Hail to that great master, may his soul be with Tansen and Vilayat Khan.
Thanks for the pleasure of the Shenai, early in the morning.
Shenai and Ustad sahib’s name are synonyms. An era has ended with his demise – a generation of masters is no more.
Ustad Bismillah Khan ji was a legend, and with him his SHEHNAEE is a history.BANARAS is gloomy to day.
May his soul rest in peace.
Ustad Bismillah Khan, should be remembered for the grace he bestowed on all those that could hear with the heart.
In his passing we shall come to see that few are deemed worthy of walking in his shoes.
Many may try, but few shall have the depth of character and honesty that comes from a life lived through music and the one god.
His life is testimony to this truth!
May his musical legacy live through those who cherish the things he came to know and love in this world.
Rest old friend, for soon your vestments will be renewed and your music revived to quench the thirst of those who seek.
Peace, love & respect to those he left behind.
Goonj uthi sehnai.
What a great meastro he was.
I`m am not fond of the sehnai but i liked Ustad Bismilah Khan.
I was very happy that together with Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar he was award with the Bharat Ratna. I dont know what to anymore.
He was just fantastic.
Superb!