An Ode to the Pied Piper of a Nation

One of India's renowned musicians, Ustad Bismillah Khan, master of the shehnai passed away yesterday at the grand age of 91.

The shehnai is a tube-like instrument which gradually widens out from the base through which the musician blows. It has between six to nine holes and tunes are produced like any other wind instrument variation of breath. It is usually played at Indian weddings where the tunes are supposed to bring good luck and blessings on the marriage.

Ustad which means master or teacher was a title befitting Bismillah Khan Sahib, a man of simple ways and stature. Both his music and his personality was a poignant reminder of the ideals IndiaIndependence, the harmonious existence between Muslims and Hindus. Where others saw reason in religion for division, he was comfortable playing at a temple or at muharam procession. His music had no religion. The Ustad was respected and honoured with the highest honours, awards and honorary degrees, including the pro-Hindutva BJP government. He was an icon for a nation of leaders who claim power in the name of caste, creed and religion.

He was a living national symbol. Immortalized from the time he played from the ramparts of the Red Fort as India got her Independence in 1947 or again when India became a Republic. For people who grew up in India, Doordarshan - India's National Broadcasting Channel – celebrated his music as tradition. It was always the Ustad's music which played after the Prime Minister's address to the nation on the Independence Day or Republic Day. He was a living reminder from days of Independence and sacrifice which are soon being forgotten in the name of development and modernity.

Be it concerts in Afghanistan, Europe, Iran, Iraq, Canada, West Africa, USA, USSR, Japan, Hong Kong and almost every capital city across the world or the festivals in Edinburgh or Cannes, Ustad never forgot his simplicity always preferring to ride in a cycle rickshaw. He too was human despite his greatness, finding it hard to make ends meet supporting his dependent family which was close to 70 members.

Ustad Bismillah Khan was buried with full state honours and India declared a day of national mourning. A great honour to a man who nether rich nor powerful, but a simple musician playing his own music from a reed pipe. Like the magicial pied Piper of Hamlin, Ustad Khans's music has and will continue to entrace and enrapture music lovers of classical music everywhere.