Centre will help Bismillah's family further his legacy: Soni
Varanasi, Aug 21 (UNI) Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Ambika Soni today said the Centre was committed to help Bharat Ratna awardee Ustad Bismillah Khan's family to further his rich musical legacy.
''The Centre is committed to preserve and promote the rich musical legacy left by the shehnai maestro,'' Ms Soni told newspersons here after paying last respect to the departed soul.
''Soniaji will soon meet the family of Khan Sahib at New Delhi and find out ways to help them preserve and promote the legacy,'' she added.
When queried about government plans of preserving the shehnai of the music legend in a museum, Ms Soni evaded a direct reply saying any decision will be taken only after taking the family of Khan Sahib into confidence.
Ms Soni was accompanied to the Benia Bag park -- where the body of Khan Sahib was kept for 'Janata Darshan' -- by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal, former Union Minister Mohsina Kidwai and local MP Rajesh Mishra.
Ms Kidwai described Khan Sahib as the one who introduced to the world a classical instrument named shehnai.
She furrther went on to term Khan Sahib as the flagbearer of composite Indian culture in the world and a true nationalist.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Salman Khurshid also paid last respect to the music legend.
UNI ARS AK Mir BD2248