The Hindu : National : Award in memory of Bismillah Khan

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Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006

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National

Award in memory of Bismillah Khan

Special Correspondent

Music academy will be set up in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Government has instituted a 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 here 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 award 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 Bismillah Khan's passing a tradition had come to an end, he said.

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