Bismillah Khan 20th death anniversary: Jackie Shroff pays tribute to Shehnai maestro
Synopsis
Twenty years after his death, Ustad Bismillah Khan — the man who played the Shehnai from the Red Fort on India's first Independence Day and went on to win the Bharat Ratna — is being remembered by Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff. The tribute is a reminder of how one musician elevated an entire instrument from ceremonial settings to the global concert stage.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to Ustad Bismillah Khan on his 20th death anniversary on 21 August 2025 .
Bismillah Khan was born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar , and passed away on 21 August 2006 in Varanasi at age 90 .
He performed the Shehnai from Delhi's Red Fort on 15 August 1947 — India's first Independence Day.
He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001 , along with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Tansen Award, and Padma Vibhushan.
The government declared a day of national mourning after his death; he received a 21-gun salute from the Indian Army.
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan on his 20th death anniversary on 21 August 2025, sharing a photograph of the maestro playing his beloved instrument. The post underscores the enduring reverence for one of India's most iconic classical musicians, two decades after his passing.
Jackie Shroff's Tribute
Shroff shared the image on his social media account, captioning it: 'Remembering Bismillah Khan ji on his death anniversary.' The actor has consistently used his platform to honour legendary figures from Indian cinema, music, and the arts — previously paying tribute to filmmaker Satyajit Ray and actor Shashi Kapoor on their significant dates.
The Maestro's Life and Legacy
Ustad Bismillah Khan was born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar, into a family of hereditary musicians. He trained under his maternal uncle Ali Bux 'Vilayatu', a Shehnai player closely associated with Varanasi's Vishwanath Temple. Over decades of dedicated practice and performance, Khan transformed the Shehnai from an instrument confined largely to auspicious ceremonies and wedding processions into a respected presence on the concert stage — a feat that reshaped perceptions of an entire classical tradition.
One of the defining moments of his career — and of independent India's cultural history — came on 15 August 1947, when he performed the Shehnai from the ramparts of Delhi's Red Fort as the nation celebrated its first Independence Day. The performance cemented his stature as a national icon.
Honours and Recognition
Bismillah Khan's contributions to Indian classical music earned him the highest accolades the country offers. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Tansen Award, and the Padma Vibhushan. In 2001, he was conferred the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to music and national culture.
His connection to Indian cinema was equally notable. He appeared in Satyajit Ray's acclaimed film 'Jalsaghar' and played the Shehnai for the 1959 film 'Goonj Uthi Shehnai', bridging the worlds of classical performance and popular culture.
His Passing and National Mourning
The maestro passed away on 21 August 2006 in Varanasi, at the age of 90, after suffering a cardiac arrest. The government declared a day of national mourning. He was buried in Varanasi with his Shehnai by his side and received a 21-gun salute from the Indian Army — an honour rarely accorded to artists.
Jackie Shroff: A Career Spanning Four Decades
Shroff himself is a stalwart of Hindi cinema. He made his acting debut with an uncredited appearance in 'Swami Dada' in 1982 before filmmaker Subhash Ghai launched him as the lead in 'Hero' in 1983. His filmography spans titles including 'Andar Baahar', 'Karma', 'Ram Lakhan', 'Tridev', 'Khalnayak', 'Rangeela', 'Border', 'Bandhan', and 'Parinda'. His tribute to Bismillah Khan reflects a long-standing personal practice of honouring the legends who shaped Indian culture.
Two decades on, Ustad Bismillah Khan's music endures as a testament to the transformative power of a single instrument in the hands of a master.
Point of View
But risks reducing a genuinely transformative artist to a social media moment. What deserves more attention is the structural question: the Shehnai, despite Khan's lifetime of advocacy, remains a marginalised instrument in formal classical music institutions. Twenty years after his death, no successor of comparable stature has emerged. That is the real story — not just the remembrance, but the vacuum he left behind.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ustad Bismillah Khan?
Ustad Bismillah Khan was one of India's most celebrated classical musicians, renowned for elevating the Shehnai from a ceremonial instrument to the concert stage. Born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001 and passed away on 21 August 2006 in Varanasi at the age of 90.
Why is 21 August significant for Bismillah Khan?
21 August marks the death anniversary of Ustad Bismillah Khan, who passed away on this date in 2006 after suffering a cardiac arrest in Varanasi. 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of his passing.
What was Bismillah Khan's connection to India's Independence Day?
On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan performed the Shehnai from the ramparts of Delhi's Red Fort as India celebrated its first Independence Day, cementing his place as a national cultural icon.
What honours did Ustad Bismillah Khan receive?
He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Tansen Award, and the Padma Vibhushan, and was conferred the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — in 2001. After his death, the government declared a national day of mourning and the Indian Army gave him a 21-gun salute.
How did Jackie Shroff pay tribute to Bismillah Khan?
Actor Jackie Shroff shared a photograph of Ustad Bismillah Khan playing the Shehnai on his social media account, captioning it: 'Remembering Bismillah Khan ji on his death anniversary.' Shroff has a history of honouring legendary figures from Indian cinema and music on their significant dates.
