Google Celebrates Ustad Bismillah Khan’s 102nd Birth Anniversary

Google celebrates the shehnai maestro’s 102nd birth anniversary today.

Ustad Bismillah Khan would have turned 102 today.

(Photo: Google) 

One of the few musicians to have received the Bharat Ratna, in addition to all four Padma awards, Ustad Bismillah Khan would have turned 102 today.

On Wednesday, Google celebrated the 102nd birth anniversary of the shehnai maestro through a doodle by Chennai-based illustrator Vijay Krish. The maestro is seen with his instrument against the backdrop of a geometric pattern

An early sketch of the doodle. (Photo Courtesy: Google) 

Both India’s declaration of Independence from the ramparts of the Red Fort in 1947 and the creation of the Indian Republic three years later in 1950 were heralded by Ustad Bismillah Khan’s shehnai. To this day, Republic Day celebrations are broadcast to the opening notes of his music.

<a href="https://www.google.com/doodles/ustad-bismillah-khans-102nd-birthdayv">Google</a>

In this interview, Soma Ghosh, the adoptive daughter and protege of Ustad Bismillah Khan, shares her memories of the legend with The Quint.