‘Yaad-e-Bismillah’: Shehnai Echoes Honour Ustad Bismillah Khan’s Timeless Legacy

On the evening of 12 September, Mumbai’s iconic Ravindra Natya Mandir transformed into a sanctum of classical music and soulful remembrance.

The occasion: Yaad-e-Bismillah, a tribute concert dedicated to the memory and legacy of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Organised by Madhur Murachhana and curated by his disciple and adopted daughter, Padma Shri Dr Soma Ghosh, the evening merged art, emotion, and cultural reverence in a seamless celebration of one of India’s greatest musical legends.

Maharashtra’s Minister for Culture, Advocate Ashish Shelar, graced the event as the chief guest.

A key highlight of the evening saw organisers presenting the Bismillah Khan Memorial Honour to renowned tabla maestro Padma Shri Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, who received a handcrafted silver shehnai as a symbol of excellence and in tribute to his invaluable contribution to Indian classical music.

Spellbinding Performances by Eminent Artists

The event commenced with a soul-stirring vocal performance by Dr Soma Ghosh, who belongs to the famed Benaras gharana.

Her emotive renditions of classical ragas captivated the audience and set a deeply spiritual tone for the evening.

Following her lead, Omkar Agnihotri, Akshara Vyas, and Rishikesh Karmarkar performed as a trio, offering a beautifully synchronised act that mesmerised the gathering.

They were accompanied by Nazish Jabbar Hussain Khan, Naveen Oberoi, and Rahul Milan, whose flawless instrumentation enriched the ensemble.

A particularly poignant segment of the evening was a docu-drama on the life and musical journey of Ustad Bismillah Khan, directed by Shubhankar Ghosh.

Moreover, the presentation captured the maestro’s struggles, devotion, and timeless contributions to music, offering audiences a deeper connection with his remarkable story.

Cultural Luminaries in Attendance

The evening saw the presence of Mumbai’s elite and music-loving public.

Dignitaries such as actor Gaurav Prateek, music directors Vivek Prakash and Vishal Shilke, and poet Dr Manju Lodha were in attendance.

The event was seamlessly anchored by Anand Singh, who added grace to the proceedings.

Yaad-e-Bismillah proved to be more than just a concert—it was a heartfelt homage to a man whose shehnai became the voice of India’s soul.

Through music, memory, and honour, the evening re-established Ustad Bismillah Khan’s eternal place in the cultural fabric of the nation.

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