An evening steeped in history and dedicated to the rich legacy of Indian classical music filled the stage of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) with a profound aura of melody and reverence on Wednesday, 20 August.
The dignified event, titled ‘Yaad-e-Bismillah’ (In Memory of Bismillah), was organised to pay tribute to the shehnai maestro and Bharat Ratna awardee, Ustad Bismillah Khan, bringing together luminaries from the world of music and national leadership on a single platform.
A Historic Moment and a Prestigious Honour
The highlight of this unforgettable evening was the formal conferment of ‘The Memorial Bismillah Khan Award’.
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, attended the program and the award function organized by Padamsri Dr Soma Ghosh. Sri Shekhawat presented this esteemed honour to world-renowned sarod virtuoso and Padma Vibhushan awardee, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
Receiving the award with deep emotion, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan said, “This is a profound honour. I was fortunate to share the stage with Ustad Bismillah Khan twice; those memories are always with me. His musical legacy is a guiding light for all of us.”
A Tribute to Bismillah Khan’s Legacy
The programme was organised under the leadership of Padma Shri Dr Soma Ghosh, the eminent vocalist of the Benaras gharana (stylistic tradition), in collaboration with the IGNCA.
It, however, aimed to honour the indelible musical legacy of Ustad Bismillah Khan, who immortalised the sweet strains of the shehnai across the nation and the world, earning Indian music global recognition.
A Rare and Mesmerising Confluence of Music
The musical segment of the event was especially memorable. It commenced with Shri Lokesh Anand and Afaq Bismillah Khan captivating the audience with the sweet melodic waves of the shehnai.
What followed was a pleasant surprise as world-famous tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain joined them for a jugalbandi (duet), casting a spell of enchantment over the entire auditorium.
This unique synergy of shehnai and tabla vividly revived memories of Ustad Bismillah Khan.
A Stellar Showcase of the Benaras Gharana’s Vocal Tradition
Following this, Dr Soma Ghosh delivered a vibrant performance of the Benaras gharana’s vocal tradition with her velvety and emotive voice.
The intricacies of Qawwali and Thumri in her rendition left the audience enthralled, drawing continuous applause.
Her performance, however, stood as a powerful testament to the deep and rich roots of Indian classical music.
A Message of Cultural Unity
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Ustad Bismillah Khan was not merely a musician but a symbol of the unity and integrity of Indian culture.
His shehnai carried the fragrance of the ‘Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb’ (the syncretic culture of North India), which truly embodies the message of #CultureUnitesAll.
He further emphasised that such events play a crucial role in preserving the nation’s cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations.
An Event Leaving an Indelible Mark
Undoubtedly, ‘Yaad-e-Bismillah’ was not just a memorial ceremony but a powerful endeavour to carry forward the rich tradition of Indian classical music and present it to a new generation.
It was an evening when Delhi once again resonated with the immortal melodic waves of Bismillah Khan’s shehnai, leaving an indelible impression on the hearts of music lovers. The event stands as a shining example of the government’s efforts in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
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