Ustad Bismillah Khan
Prayers for his health. Update (21 August 2006): Farewell.
More here. Picture courtesy Sawf.org.“Mamu used to do his riyaz (practice) at the temple of Balaji (an avtaar of Vishnu) for 18 years. He told me to do the same thing. I would begin my riyaz at the mandir at 7 pm and end at 11 pm during which time I usually played four ragas. After a year and half, Mamu told me, ‘if you see anything just don’t talk about it’. One night as I was playing, deep in meditation, I smelled something. It was an indescribable scent, something like sandalwood and jasmine and incense. I thought it was aroma of Ganges. But the scent got more powerful. I opened my eyes - and when I speak about it I still get goose flesh - when I opened my eyes, there was Balaji standing right next to me, kamandal in hand, exactly as he is pictured. My door was locked from inside. Nobody was allowed to enter when I did my riyaz. He said ‘play, son’. But I was in cold sweat. I stopped playing.”
“He smiled, and disappeared. I unlocked the door. I thought a faqir may have come in. I took a lantern and searched all streets. They were empty. I ran home, ate quickly and slept. Mamu had understood what had happened. But he teased me, pretending he knew nothing, But as I blurted out the experience, Mamu slapped me, because he had asked me earlier not to talk about anything that might happen to me. Then he kissed me and asked me to go and buy vegetables. Mamu always told me ‘never look back, keep going forward’. Even now I go to Balaji’s mandir alone, at night and play all by myself. When I play before others, in my heart I’m listening to my gurus. In my heart, they clap for me at the appropriate time.”
Uma:
I did not realize he was ill. I hope he recovers.
An irrelevant comment, but I like your new digs–or, at least new to me. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to indulge my addiction to blogs.
Regards,
Kumar
Comment by Kumar — August 20, 2006 @ 6:15 pm
Uma:
I did not realize he was ill. I hope he recovers.
Btw, I like your new digs–new to me, at least. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to indulge my addiction to blogs.
Regards,
Kumar
Comment by Kumar — August 20, 2006 @ 6:22 pm
Ustad Bismillah Khan, RIP.
Comment by Kishore — August 21, 2006 @ 4:04 am
have you heard the news?
Comment by kuffir — August 21, 2006 @ 5:11 am
An era comes to an end.Lost!Want to define secularism, please define Khan saheb.
Comment by abhishek — August 21, 2006 @ 11:36 am
He was one of a kind.
The real tragedy here is that the shehnai went out of fashion.
Comment by km — August 21, 2006 @ 3:02 pm
Ustad’s demise is a big loss. Not only that he was immensely popular but also evoked tremendous respect and love from millions of Indians.
Comment by Adnan — August 21, 2006 @ 4:49 pm