Bismillah Khan Short Story

'Banaras has grown old without Bismillah Khan'

-Avesh Tiwari

Ten-year-old Bismillah was gasping for breath after running for five kilometres to reach his home. His face was raven and feet bleeding. Waking up his sick uncle Vilayatu from slumber, he said, “Uncle, today I saw a monk in white clothes during clarinet concert in the temple. He said anything you wish for would come true and then vanished.”

An irritated Vilayatu slapped Bismillah on his face and chided, “Sun be Bismillah, ab Kabhi e baat kehu se mat kahe (Listen Bismillah, don't you dare to discuss this with anybody).”

Pandit Kameshwar Nath Mishra could not take his eyes off the picture of his father as he narrates this story in his residence at Piplani Katra's Sitara Devi Marg

One of the windows of his room opened in front of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Every morning, Bismillah Khan would play shehnai from the window, as if awakening Lord Shiva from daily sleep. The window still opens, perhaps Kashi Vishwanath also wakes up like before, but the divine notes of Bismillah's music are no more.

Lingering memories
It's been a decade since Bismillah Khan bid the final adieu to the holy city. His relatives are still looking for government aid in his name. Most of his disciples have left Varanasi. Bismillah's son Nazim threatens to do so. The remnants of his legacy are increasingly hard to trace in maestro's beloved city.

However, Bismillah Khan's music still echoes in the beats of tabla played by Kameshwar Nath Mishra and many of Khan's old peers. Varanasi has always been synonymous with Bismillah Khan for many of these musicians.

Kameshwar feels the city of Varanasi has aged after Bismillah's death. Like his father, Kameshwar is also a treasure trove of anecdotes associated with the legendary shehnai player. “You know, he never played for himself. His shehnai was always dedicated to the listeners. For Bismillah Khan, only the tune that was liked by his audience was worth playing,” he

At least, five of them would be worth being my guru. The only difference is that I had luck by my side,” a humble Bismillah Khan used to say explaining his fame.

His love for Varanasi was evident when he refused an offer to settle in the USA. The offer had come from none other than the President of the world's most powerful country.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the US President in 1954-55. He was also a great music enthusiast. Enthralled by Bismillah Khan's music, Eisenhower extended an invitation to Bismillah Khan to move to his country.

To Eisenhower enquiry, Bismillah Khan told him that there were 54 members in his family. The former then asked what was the monthly expense of keeping such a big family, offering to pay him the double of this amount every month, in addition to other facilities like housing etc.

“Sir, I am honoured by your benevolence. But, every morning when I move out of my house, people of Varanasi line up along the road to pay their greetings to me. Can I find this in your country,” Bismillah Khan replied.

Raga Basant and Roshanara