Ustad Bismillah Khan Google

Google pays tribute to the late Ustad Bismillah Khan

Ustad Bismillah Khan, who popularised the humble shehnai with an unparalleled exploration of its musical capacity, was born on March 21, 102 years ago.

Music was in the genes for this Bharat Ratna. He was born in the small town of Dumaraon in Bihar, to shehnai player Paighamber Bux. It is believed that when the news reached his grandfather, the latter exclaimed 'Bismillah!' in gratitude and that's how the name came into being. He was formally named Qamruddin to rhyme with his brother’s name, Shamsuddin. As the magic of his mastery grew, people honoured him with the title of 'Ustad'.

Bismillah Khan got his training under Ali Bux, his maternal uncle, known for his unorthodox style of teaching. The musical genius came from a very humble background.

Bismillah Khan's performance at the All India Music Conference at Kolkata in 1937 became one of the defining moments of his career. Ustadji played at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947 when India was declared Independent. To this day, the Republic Day celebration broadcast begins with his musical notes.


Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan was born as Qamaruddin Khan on 21st march, 1916 in a traditional Muslim family of musicians in Bhirung Raut Ki Gali, Dumraon - in present-day Bihar. He was the second son of Paigambar Baksh Khan and Mitthan. His grandfather Rasool Baksh Khan exclaimed "Bismillah" at his birth and Qamaruddin Khan came to be known as Bismillah Khan.

Born to a family of musicians, he was trained by his uncle, the late Ali Baksh 'Vilayatu', who was also a shehnai player and attached to Varanasi's Vishwanath Temple. His father was a court musician employed in the Dumrao palace by the Raja of Bhojpur. His great grandfather Ustad Salar Hussain Khan and grandfather Rasool Baksh Khan were also musicians in the Dumrao palace.

Ustab Bismillah Khan single-handedly transformed how the world looked at shehnai. From being an important folk instrument, it suddenly found a place in the heart of Indian music after Ustad Khan's performance at Calcutta All India Music Conference in 1937.

One of the finest musicians in the world, Ustad Bismillah Khan played to audiences across the globe. Such was his devotion to his art and music that he referred to his shehnai as "begum" after the death of his wife.