India without shenani maestro at this year's R-Day functions

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) For the first time in the post-independence era, India would be observing its Republic Day without the Shehnai maestro and Bharat Ratna recipient Ustad Bismillah Khan, who once said "even if the world ends, music will still survive." Ever since India became independent, one constant feature of Independence Day celebrations as also Republic Day festivities has been an enchanting Shehnai performance by Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, who is also the chairman of ''Bismillah: The Beginning Foundation'', a movement launched by a Delhi couple Neena Jha&Shivnath Jha to take care of the artists in the winter of their lives, said: ''Sadly, after 60 years of India's independent history, this is going to be for the first time that the nation would be observing the Republic Day without the famed maestro and his unsurpassable Shehnai rendition since he breathed his last on August 21 last year at Varanasi.

''And, thus, all of us were left poorer. If we are to think as a country, Khan Sahib and his art virtually embodied the very ethos that shaped India." Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who is also a part of the movement, said ''a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity, it was through his untiring efforts that the shehnai was taken from the confines of wedding halls and 'naubatkhanas' to the international stage.'' The first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had taken Khan Sahib to the ramparts of the Red Fort in the wee hours of August 15, 1947 where the Ustad had signalled Independent India's journey described by Nehru as ''India's tryst with destiny''.

''Thus, what began with the sugared notes of Khan Sahib's Shehnai has, indeed, blossomed into a strong, vibrant and unassailable nation. It was a moment when the Union Jack was taken off to give way for the Tricolour that has fluttered ever since. Khan Sahib's famous performance at that point of time became foil to a history that the whole of the country would ever be proud of,'' said Mr Sibal, who will launch a book ''INDIA CALLING'' compiled and published by the Jha couple in commemoration of India's entering 60th year of independence and a tribute to the late Ustad late this month.

More UNI