Today’s Google Doodle is dedicated to the Indian Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan’s 102nd birth anniversary. Born on 21st March in the small village of Dumraon in Bihar, Ustadji still remains one of the most celebrated Shehnai players of all times.
It’s believed that when his grandfather came to know about his birth, he exclaimed Bismillah in gratitude and hence he was named Bismillah which means ‘in the name of God’. Born to Shehnai Player Paighamber Bux, he was formally named Qamruddin and later in his career, people regarded him with the title Ustad because of his unparalleled talent.
He got his training from his maternal uncle Ali Bux who was known for his unorthodox style of teaching. He performed in public for the first time at the age of 14. In 1937, his performance at All India Music Conference in Kolkata was one of the defining moments of his career. Gradually, his work took him abroad and after his performance at the Edinburgh Music Festival in 1966, he garnered a global audience.
From that point onwards, he gained recognition not just in Asia but across the world. He even performed at the Cannes Art Festival, France in 1969 and influenced millions with his music. It’s believed that he successfully monopolized shehnai in the post-independence India. In fact, the tune that he played on the eve of independence in 1947 is still played as opening notes at the annual Republic Day celebrations.
Interestingly, Ustad Bismillah Khan referred to his shenai as his wife. He was quoted as saying, “Even if the world ends, the music will still survive…” Ustadji was one of the few musicians who was awarded the Bharat Ratna along with all the Padma awards namely Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
