<span style="color: #222222;">Today is the birth anniversary of world-famous shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan. He was conferred upon national awards like the Padmashri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan for his immense contribution to the field of music. In 2001, Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded India's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Born in Bihar on March 21, 1916, in a family of court musicians, Ustad Bismillah Khan's musical training started at the age of three years under the guidance of his uncle Ali Bux Vilayatu. Khan's contributions in taking Shehnai to a global stage is unparalleled. Bismillah Khan's first big break came with the opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938. It was Ustad Qamruddin 'Bismillah" Khan Who also played the Shehnai at the first Republic Day celebration in 1950. Bismillah Khan was the first Indian to be invited to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Centre Hall in the United States of America. Ustad Bismillah Khan's life is a perfect example of the rich cultural heritage of India.<br />''<br />''As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a 3 day Shehnai festival began at Banaras Hindu University campus Varanasi this evening. Sangeet Natak Academy and the music and performing arts faculty of BHU have come together to organize this music evening to remember the shehnai Maestro Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan.</span><br />