Bismillah Khan was an exponent of shehnai .
Ustad Bismillah Khan Sahib was a shehnai maestro from India.
The term "Ustad" or "Pandit" in relation to Indian classical music implies Master or Guru.
He was the third classical musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna (in 2001), the highest civilian honour in India.
He was a pious Shi'a Muslim and also, like many Indian musicians regardless of creed, a devotee of Mother Saraswati .
Khan Sahab had the rare honor of performing at Delhi's Red Fort on the eve of India's Independence in 1947. He also performed Raga Kafi from the Red Fort on the eve of India’s first Republic Day ceremony, on January 26, 1950. His recital had almost become a cultural part of the Independence Day Celebrations telecast on Doordarshan every year on August 15th.
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