The Shennai of Bismillah Khan

                                                    By- Deborah Cowley I

INTRODUCTION

This chapter gives, in brief, the life story of the great musician Bismillah Khan. He is a Shehnai maestro. It also tells us about the origin of the Shehnai. Bismillah Khan is one of the great personalities of Hindustani music. He belongs to the Benaras Gharana. He was born in Dumraon in Bihar. His interest in music was visible from his childhood. As a Shehnai player, he has won national and international awards. He has travelled all over the world. He has also been awarded the nation’s highest award Bharat Ratna. Bismillah Khan thinks that music can bridge the gap between different communities. So he wants that music should be made a compulsory subject in schools.

}(यह पाठ संक्षिप्त में एक महान संगीतकार बिस्मिल्ला खान के जीवन वो बारे में बताता है । वे एक कुशल शहनाई वादक हैं । यह हमें शहनाई के जन्म के जन्म के बारे में भी बताता  है । बिस्मिल्ला खान हिंदुस्तानी संगीत की महान विभूतियों में से एक हैं । वे वनारस घराने से संबंध रखते हैं । उनंका जन्म बिहार में दुमराओं मेँ हुआ था । संगीत में उनकी रुचि बचपन  से ही नज़र आती थी । शहनाई वादक के रूप में  उन्होंने राष्ट्रीय  एवं अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय इनाम जीते हैं । उन्होंने पूरे विश्व का भ्रमण किया है । उन्हें राष्ट्र का सर्वोच्च पुरस्कार ‘भारत रत्न‘ भी दिया गया है । बिस्मिल्ला खान सोचते है कि संगीत अलग – अलग समुदायों के बीच का फासला खत्म कर सकता है। इसलिए वे चाहते हैँ कि संगीत को स्कूलों में अनिवार्य विषय बनाया जाए । 

Introduction(2)

 The feature traces the origin of ‘shehnai’ as an improved version of the pungi, a needed instrument, which was banned by Aurangzeb. It also narrates the journey of Bharat Ratan Bismillah Khan whose hard work and dedication to the art of ‘shehnai vaadan’ had enabled him to win the most cherished awards. In addition, the author brings to light Bismillah Khan’s patriotic devotion to India and his deep love for the Ganga in Benaras and the estate of Dumraon in Bihar.