Ustad Bismillah Khan is no more
With the passing away of shehnai maestero Ustad Bismillah Khan, the subcontinent is a lesser place - a legend of our times has left us and more importantly the Indo-Muslim culture, nurtured over centuries, has lost one of its best exponents. I came across thenews report below on how the Lahore-ites mourned his death. Wish I could be there to be counted. Thanks to blogging, at least I can mourn in the cyberspace!
Samples of his music can be downloaded can be found here. Read this evocative quote from here:
“Where others see conflict and contradiction between his music and his religion, Bismillah Khan sees only a divine unity. Music, sur, namaaz is the same thing. His namaaz is the seven shuddh and five komal surs. Even as a devout Shia, Khan Sahib is also a staunch devotee of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of music.”
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We are the notes that Allah plays, and now one beautiful note has returned to the Most Sublime Musician.
May Allah grant him peace.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — August 24, 2006 @ 9:45 pm
Thank you for this.
Did you ever read “A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth? One of the many things I love about that book is how it captures the amazing syncretism of Muslim and Hindu traditions in Hindustani music. Also has several marvelous character portraits of musicians.
Comment by Shahnaz — August 25, 2006 @ 2:29 pm
That’s one of my favourite books- the way it captures and evokes the diversity and the blending of India’s different cultures and social groups into a unique Indianess. Not only does he bring alive Indian music in the book but the language and style of the book has a relentless musical cadence..
thanks for leaving the comment.
Comment by razarumi — August 25, 2006 @ 3:29 pm
we are still waiting (for you to appear on DC)
Comment by temporal — August 25, 2006 @ 4:24 pm
T:I will appear on DC soon. Have been in the lazy mode..
thanks for visiting ):
Comment by razarumi — August 25, 2006 @ 5:20 pm
Growing up in England in the early 1970s, Khan’s hypnotic effect embedded itself into my subconscious. Played on a cheap turntable, through a crackly amp and flapping, low-rent speakers, his sustained notes of ethereal beauty still projected a richness and clarity that carried through to my blood.
His sound stays with me over three decades later and I cannot think of the word “shehnai” without associating immediately with Bismillah Khan.
May Allah (SWT) rest Khan’s soul in peace.
Comment by Shahid — August 26, 2006 @ 12:35 pm
Thanks Shahid - your description of the great Ustaad’s music is compelling. He was a true genius!
Comment by razarumi — August 26, 2006 @ 7:34 pm