Google Doodle celebrates 102nd birth anniversary of Ustad Bismillah Khan

New Delhi: Search engine Google on Friday celebrated the life and works of shehnai maestro and one of India’s most beloved musicians --Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Today’s Doodle by Chennai-based illustrator Vijay Krish, celebrates the shehnai maestro against the backdrop of a geometric style pattern with his instrument aloft, sending a festive tune out into the world.

'Bharat Ratna' Bismillah Khan was born on 21 March 1916. His name also bears a unique story behind it: On his birth, his grandfather thanking God, uttered "Bismillah" and the name Bismillah stuck!

He is the third classical musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna (in 2001), India's highest civilian honour in India.

At an early age, he familiarized himself with various forms of the music of UP, such as Thumri, Chaiti, Kajri, Sawani etc. Later he studied Khayal music and mastered a large number of ragas.

He brought the shehnai to the center stage of Indian music with his concert in the Calcutta All India Music Conference in 1937.

With the opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938 came Bismillah's big break. He soon became an often-heard Shehnai player on radio.

When India gained Independence on August 15,1947, Bismillah became the first Indian to greet the nation with his shehnai. He played to an audience, which included Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, who later gave his famous 'Tryst with Destiny' speech.

Bismillah Khan was also the first Indian who was invited to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Center Hall in the USA.