diary entry about Bismillah khan
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Born in 1916, he has raised the status of one of India's most distinctively voiced instruments unprecedentedly. In its folk form this double-reeded instrument is used on a variety of ritual occasions but is especially associated with weddings. Bismillah Khan has recorded extensively and like many Indian classical artists most of his early work was released by EMI India or its overseas partners. His historic jugalbandi with Vilayat Khan was chosen to inaugurate the Music of India series on EMI India's parent company in Britain. This series licensed the work of masters such as Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Nikhil Banerjee. The debut release in the Music of India series, however, featured in the terminology of the album duettos on "Chaiti-Dhun" and "Bhairavee Thumree." The third in the series was another shehnai jugalbandi, this time with violinist V.G. Jog. It was a further indication of the esteem in which Bismillah Khanwas held. Time has only reinforced that.
16th October 2018
10:15 pm
Dear Diary,
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.
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