Gangubai condoles death of Bismillah Khan

Hubli, Aug 21 (UNI) Eminent Hindustani vocalist Gangubai Hangal today expressed shock over the demise of Shehnai virtuoso Ustad Bismillah Khan and said his music and name will be alive eternally.

In her condolence message, she described his death as a great loss to Indian music and urged the Union Government to institute an award in his name, befitting his stature.

Gangubai, who had shared platform with the Ustad since 1933, said they had performed together in various music programmes in the country and abroad for the last 70 years. For 20 continuous years, they had participated in the Bengal music conference, she recalled.

She said the maestro had made Shehnai a concert instrument from being a mere organ used symbolically in marriages.

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