Kolkata, Aug 21 (UNI) Legendary sehnai player Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan was remembered today on his 12th death anniversary.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid tribute to shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan on the occasion.

“Tribute to shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan on his death anniversary,” Ms Banerjee posted on her social networking page.

Regarded as one of the best classical musicians India has ever produced, Bismillah Khan’s name is synonymous with the shehnai in India.

Born on March 21, 1916 at Dumraon in Bihar, The great musician was trained under the tutelage of his uncle, the late Ali Bux `Vilayatu’, a reputed shehnai player in his own right.

He is credited with single-handedly bringing about a change in the importance given to the Shehnai in Indian classical music.

In one of his landmark performances, Bismillah played at the Red Fort in Delhi on the occasion of India’s Independence on August 15, 1947.

He also performed on the occasion of India’s first Republic Day on January 26, 1950.

He was bestowed with many awards and accolades during his lifetime. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1956, the Padma Shri in 1961, the Padma Bhushan in 1968 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1980.

In 2001, this doyen of India’s classical music was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. Ustad Khan played the shehnai for Dr.Rajkumar’s character of Appanna in the movie Sanaadi Appanna.

Besides, he acted in a movie by Satyajit Ray, Jalsaghar and played the shehnai in Goonj Uthi Shehnai.

He passed away on August 21, 2006.

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