Ustad bismillah khan was accorded the highest civilian honor of the Indian nation in the year 2001. Popularly known as bharat ratna ustad bismillah khan. The ancestors of this musical legend used to play as court musicians in the princely states of bhojpur, now in Bihar. The instrumental music legend bought shehnai at the center stage of the Indian music. This feat was achieved by him at the all India music conference in the year 1937.

Ustad bismillah khan had the rare honor of playing live on the independence day of India 15th august, 1947 in the premises of the historical red fort. He further played on the eve of first republic day of India. The national broadcasting channel of India would telecast the shehnai performance of the legend live every year on the eve of Independence Day immediately after the speech of the PM from the red fort.

The eightieth birthday of the legend was celebrated by the world music institute in the city of New York. He died on august 21 2006 following a cardiac arrest. This day was a day of national mourning for the nation declared by government of India. Seo India