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Award in memory of Bismillah Khan

Special Correspondent

Music academy to be set up in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Government has instituted the Sangeet Ratna Award with a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh in memory of shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, who passed away in Varanasi on Monday. A music academy will also be set up in his name in Lucknow at a cost of Rs. 1 crore.

The State Government has declared a three-day state mourning. All government offices and institutions will be closed for the day.

Announcing in the Assembly the setting up of the annual ward and the academy, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said the Ustad was instrumental in taking the shehnai to the masses.

Cultural ambassador

Ever since he played the instrument from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, 1947, the Ustad came to be considered as the true embodiment of the `Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.' Though he won all major awards and was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, he was a simple person who never hankered after rewards.

The entire House rose as one in paying tributes to the maestro.

Leader of the Opposition Lalji Tandon described him as the ambassador of Indian culture. In Mr. Khan's passing a tradition had come to an end, he said.

The tradition was associated with Varanasi where the Ustad played the shehnai at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and on the banks of the Ganga.

He left an indelible stamp on the Indian classical music scene. But it was unfortunate that his last wish of playing the shehnai at India Gate remained unfulfilled.

Tributes paid to MLAs

Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Pramod Tewari described Mr. Khan as the shahenshah of Hindustani music and a symbol of communal harmony.

Tributes were also paid by Swamy Prasad Maurya (BSP), Kokab Hameed (RLD) and BJP MLAs from Varanasi Shyam Dev Roy Chowdhary `Dada' and Harish Chandra Srivastava `Harishji.' Tributes were also paid to two MLAs who died recently, Haji Mushtaq Solanki and Ram Swarup Singh. The House was then adjourned for the day.

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