Saira Banu remembers her ‘Yousuf Jaan’ Dilip Kumar on his birth anniversary
Saira Banu remembers Dilip Kumar on his birth anniversary, sharing heartfelt memories of their love, his simplicity, and timeless legacy.
In the minds of every Indian and even people abroad, the word shehnai invokes Ustad Bismillah Khan’s name. He was one of the finest Indian classical musicians. He played shehnai for more than eight decades and has received national and international acclaim for his performances.
On his 102nd birth anniversary, here are some facts about one of the gems India has ever had.
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- Born on March 21, 1913, in Bihar, Bismillah Khan’s birth name was Qamaruddin Khan. Later, his name was changed to Bismillah Khan because Qamaruddin was similar to his elder brother’s name Shamsuddin.
- Bismillah Khan started getting his training at the age of 6 from his uncle Ali Baidu Vilayatu.
- In 1947, when India was declared its Independence from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi, first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had invited him to perform live on the occasion.
- In personal life, Ustad Ji was known for his simplicity. He lived in Varanasi all his life. He used to eat simple food and would travel locally in a cycle rickshaw.
- He lovingly addressed his shehnai as his ‘begum’ (wife), and his favourite instrument was also buried along with him at the Fatemain burial ground in Varanasi.
- Ustad Bismillah Khan was one of the few musicians to receive Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in India.
- He had received all three Padma awards – Padma Shri in 1961, Padma Bhushan in 1968 and Padma Vibhushan in 1980.
- The Indian Army gave him a 21 gun salute at his burial ceremony.
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