Young designer proposes starlit tomb for Bismillah Khan

Varanasi, Jan 11 (UNI) A young designer entrusted with the task of designing the tomb of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan here has proposed a starlit for the shehnai legend.

''Musicians like Khan Sahib are born only once but shine forever on the musical horizon. The tomb of the shehnai maestro will hence be showered with stars from heaven,'' said Arun Kumar Singh, the young designer entrusted by the Varanasi Nagar Nigam (VNN) to design the red sandstone tomb announced by the Uttar Pradesh government in August, 2005.

The dome of the tomb at the Karballeh Fatimaan graveyard here will provide the dangling space to a chandelier crafted from Belgian Glass and American Diamonds. The chandelier will be designed in such a manner that light emitting from it ushers the grave of Khan Sahib ''a rain of stars and pearls,'' Mr Singh claimed.

The layout of the tomb likely to cost around Rs 17 lakh has already been sent by VNN for approval to Urban Development Ministry in Lucknow, Mr Singh added.

Another mainstay of the tomb for the musician -- who revolutionised shehnai into a classical music instrument -- will be a bronze shehnai, which unlike Khan Sahib's prideful posession will not render melody, but serve as a fountain ushering fragrant water shimmering in lights of variegated hues.

''I first designed a tomb which was entirely in the shape of a shehnai, but since it exceeded the budgeted expenditure, a completely new design has been made. A tomb for Khan Sahib without a shehnai is unimaginable and hence the shehnai-shaped fountain has been drafted as the mainstay of the proposed monument,'' Mr Singh said.

The young passout from Lucknow Arts College has designed a tomb which promises to hold a testimony to the secular art of Khan Sahib.

''Khan Sahib was a devout Muslim who was blessed by the shadow of Lord Vishnu on the Balaji Ghat dotting the Ganga river here. He even refused honarary US citizenship solely out of his love for the sacred river and hence the tomb for the shehnai wizard has been designed to give a secular look,'' Mr Singh added.

While Khan Sahib's grave to be embellished with 'Chunar Stone' will be made to give the semblance of the stairs of the world famous Ganga Ghats of Kashi, the six pillars on which the entire tomb will stand will be based on the Hindu architectural style.

''The tapering dome will be designed as per Muslim architecture, while the wall of the tomb will host Urdu caligraphy elevating the eternal verses from Quran and teachings of universal brotherhood immortalised by Sufi saints,'' the designer with expertise in mural art maintained.

The young designer has also drawn plans to beautify the platform, where during Moharram, Khan Sahib rendered gloomy tunes. ''The platform edging the music legend's grave will be converted into a lotus-shaped 'Asan,' while the sacred well adjoining the platform will also be adorned ideally.'' Mr Singh has capped the layout of red sandstone-Chunar stone tomb with a provision for a mini-garden that will offer the fragrance of various types of flowers.

Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister on September 5 had announced that the tomb of Khan Sahib would be built in red sandstone.

UNI