The Shennai was played traditionally in the temple at the role courts and on the wedding occasions. The credit must go to Bismillah Khan to take this instrument on to the classical stage.


Bismillah Khan got his big break with the opening of all India radio in Lucknow in 1938.


Bismillah Khan played the Shennai. on 15th August 1947 at Red Fort. He was the first Indian to greet the nation with his musical instrument. This event was historic because we got independence on that day. He poured his heart out in the presence of number of people including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.


He loved India very much that he refused to start a Shennai school in the USA. He load India so much and he did not want to settle anywhere except India. That's why he kept yearning to see Hindustan.


Bismillah Khan loves India and Banaras from the bottom of heart. He says that he misses the holy Ganga and India when he goes abroad. While in Mumbai he thinks of only Banaras and the holy river. And when he was in Banaras he remembers the unique Mattha of dumraon.

That's all 🙂

Ustad Bismillah Khan was a Shehnai master of great national and international fame. He was a great musician. Ali Bux, his maternal unde perfected him in music. Shehnai was brought to the classical stage by Ustad Bismillah Khan. He practiced for hours and worked very hard to attain perfection. It was his melodious music that made him the first Indian to greet tire independent India. Ustad Bismillah Khan created many new rags. He was given many awards and he even received the “Bharat Ratna”. He was a true patriot who declined many offers to settle aborad. He was a true artist but a simple man. He had great regard for Hindustani Classical Music.