Who among the following was a Shehnai player and performed at Delhi’s Red Fort as the Indian flag unfurled at the hour of India’s independence on 15 August 1947?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Bismillah Khan.
- Bismillah Khan was a Shehnai player and performed at Delhi’s Red Fort as the Indian flag unfurled at the hour of India’s independence on 15 August 1947.
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His Shehnai music symbolized India’s rich cultural heritage on that special day.
- He was born in 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar, he came from a family of court musicians.
- Traditionally, the shehnai was played in temples and marriage ceremonies, but Bismillah Khan elevated it to the status of a respected musical instrument.
- He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, India’s highest civilian honor, for his outstanding contribution to music.
- His style was influenced by the Banaras Gharana and deeply reflected Indian classical traditions.
- He was known for his humility and devotion, he often described music as his religion.