Who was Bismillah Khan, who gave Independent India its first tune at Delhi’s Red Fort?

India took its first steps as an independent nation on August 15, 1947.

The first Independence Day was made even more special with a sterling performance by Ustad Bismillah Khan from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

The legendary musician personified the idea of unity and elevated the shehnai to a new level.

Here’s all we know about him.

Ustad Bismillah Khan and his musical journey

Born as Qamaruddin Khan on March 21, 1916, Bismillah Khan is widely recognised for having introduced the shehnai from the marriage mandap to the concert hall, according to PTI.

Since his father was a wind instrument player in Maharaja Keshav Prasad Singh of Dumraon, he was naturally introduced to the shehnai at a very young age. He chose to take after his father, and as a result, he became lifelong friends with shehnai.

At the age of six, he relocated to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to live with his uncle Ali Bux ‘Vilayatu’ and started studying Raag and shehnai from him, as per Economic Times.

In the early years of his career, Bismillah Khan appeared in many theatrical productions. It was at the All India Music Conference in Calcutta in 1937 that he had his first major break.

The crowd responded positively to Shehnai’s performance, which put the instrument in the limelight. Later on, he performed in West Africa, Japan, Hong Kong, Afghanistan, the US, Canada, Bangladesh, Iran, and Iraq, in addition to other regions of Europe. During his remarkable career, he participated in several high-profile global events, such as the Osaka Trade Fair, the Cannes Art Festival, and the World Exposition in Montreal, according to The Statesman.

Bismillah Khan’s involvement with the film industry was very limited. He made an appearance in the 1957 film Jalsaghar by Satyajit Ray and contributed the shehnai sound for Vijay Bhatt’s Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959). Later, he portrayed the shehnai in Vijay’s popular Kannada film Sanaadi Appanna (1977).

He was a sincere Muslim in practice who respected other religions and beliefs equally.

In addition to the Padma Vibhushan, he received the Tansen, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and other honours. The highest civilian distinction in India, the Bharat Ratna, was given to Khan in 2001, making him the third classical musician to receive it. Shantiniketan and Benares Hindu University both awarded him honorary doctorates.

The first tune of Independent India

Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first prime minister, invited Khan to play shehnai on August 15, 1947, at Red Fort in Delhi.

On the eve of India’s first Independence, he was the only musician to have the unique privilege of playing his Shehnai.

Following the PM’s speech on August 15, Khan performed annually for several years.

Thousands of homes watched Doordarshan’s live broadcast of his performance.

On January 26, 1950, he also performed at India’s first Republic Day celebration, as per ET.

Introducing new raga

Khan has often stated that he feels Lord Shiv, Lady Saraswati, and Lord Krishna themselves have blessed him with the ability to create art.

He performed the new raga at a Kumbh Mela-related concert. This breathtaking “raga” was praised by spectators, who insisted that Ustad sing it again and again.

When the curious music scholars present failed to figure out the name of the “Raga,” they questioned Bismillah Khan, who revealed that the Raga’s name is “Kanhaira,” as per The Statesman.

The raga and the event were featured as the front page headlines the following day. The renowned musician (flutist) Hariprasad Chaurasya was captivated by the news and approached Bismillah Khan about “Kanharira Raga.”

He answered that he had been introduced to the raga by a boy he had met on the train who was playing the flute. He gave the raga the name “Kanharira” because he thought the child was Lord Krishna.

His death

Khan was brought to the Heritage Hospital in Varanasi on August 17, 2006, for treatment after his health began to deteriorate.

He died on August 21, 2006, from a cardiac arrest. The Indian government observed a day of national mourning after his passing. According to legend, his Shehnai and body were buried together in the Fatemaan burial cemetery in Varanasi, beneath a neem tree.

The Indian Army bestowed upon Bismillah Khan the highest distinction of a 21-gun salute.