character sketch of Bismillah Khan
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Ustad Qamruddin Bismillah Khan was one of the most famous Indian musicians who played shehnai. He popularized the use of Shehnai. He was born on 21 March 1916 and died on 21 August 2006. On 15th August 1947, the day when India got independence, he played shehnai before the Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, which is India's highest civilian honor. While taking the award, he gave a speech in which he asked the people of India to allow their children to learn music as music is one of the greatest tradition of India. He was the one who brought the shehnai to the concert stage and also elevated its status. He learned to play Shehnai from his ancestors who were great shehnai players. He does not believe much on composing songs for movies and films. Bismillah Khan was not so much attracted to the glamour of the film industry. Although he gave his contribution to two of the movies. He composed one of the hit songs in the film named "Gunj Uthi Shehnai" directed by Vijay Bhatt. The name of the song was "DIl Ka Khilona Hai Toot Gaya." Also, he composed one song "Samadhi Apanna" for a Kannada film.
Ustad Bismillah Khan was a Shehnai master of a great national and international fame. He was a great musician. Ali Bux, his maternal uncle perfected him in music. Shehnai was brought to the classical stage by Ustad Bismillah Khan. He practiced for hours and worked very hard to attain perfection. It was his melodious music that made him the first Indian to greet tire of independent India. Ustad Bismillah Khan created many new rags. He was given many awards and he even receive the "Bharat Ratna". He was a true patriot who decline many offers to settle abroad. He was a true artist but a simple man. He had great regard for Hindustani Classic Music.