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Bismillah Khan

Born Qamaruddin Khan

1916–2006

Hindustani classical

About Bismillah Khan

The shehnai maestro who elevated a folk instrument to the concert stage. Bismillah Khan played at India's first Independence Day ceremony at Red Fort in 1947 and became the first Indian to perform at the Edinburgh Festival. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna and remained devoted to Varanasi and his art until his death.