Bihar mourns shehnai maestro's death

Patna, Aug 21 (UNI) Bihar government today observed state mourning as a mark of respect to shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, who breathed his last at Varanasi in the early hours.

State government cancelled all official engagements scheduled for the day and national tri-colour remained at half-mast. State Housing Minister Monazir Hasan and Culture Minister Janardan Singh Sigriwal left for Varanasi to participate in the funeral of the 'Shehnai Samrat'.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar described Bismillah Khan as a great luminary of Indian classical music and said the void created on his demise could not be fulfilled.

People of Bihar has a different reason to feel proud of his achievement as the Bharat Ratna awardee was born in Dumraon in the state's Buxar district.

Going down memory lane, Mr Kumar emotinally recalled the times when he used to listen to the maestro perform during Durga Puja.

Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi said that Ustad had mesmerised the people across the country and abroad with his music.

Spokesperson of state BJP Ms Kiran Ghai, State JD(U) President Upendra Kushwaha were among others who paid tributes to the deaprted soul.

UNI XC-RS SP PA BD1910