why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the USA
Answers
The reason Ustad Bismillah Khan gave for refusing to start a shehnai school in USA was that he did not want to stay away from his beloved Hindustan more particularly the Banaras and the Ganga.
Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916 – 2006)
was an outstanding Indian musician who popularised the shehnai - a holed, stem, wind instrument. The shehnai
was usually played in courts and temples during the olden days but Ustad Bismillah
Khan brought it up to the classical stage with his hugely popular shows.
The name of the chapter - 'The Sound of Music' (Part - II)
by - Deborah Cowley
About Bismillah Khan - He was a legendary shehnai player. He brought the shehnai in front of the world. (as it was banned by Aurangzeb due to its shrill and unpleasant sound)
Answer -
Bismillah Khan's students asked him to head a music school in the USA. But Bismillah Khan refused. He said that he cannot live outside. He loved his country. But still, the students promised that he would recreate the atmosphere of Benaras by replicating the temples in the city. To this Bismillah Khan wanted to know if his students could also transport the river Ganga.