As a part of commemoration of Birth Centenary of Shehnai Maestro, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Kashmir Performers Collective Srinagar, today staged a play “Wostad-e-Shehnai” at Abhinav Theatre here.The play was directed by Manzoor Ahmad Mir under the aegis of Ministry of Culture, Government of India.Director, Information and Public Relations, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary was the chief of Guest on the occasion.The Play ‘Wostad-i-Shahnai’ was a tribute to Ustad Bismillah Khan in which biography along with the awards and achievements of Bismillah Khan were highlighted.Ustad Bismillah Khan was a great Shehnai player and his name will forever be associated with shehnai, the musical instrument that he made famous with his talent and deliberation in the post independent. He had always played at the important events for national audience like the first Indian Independence Day and first Republic Day. For his creativity and mastery in his art, Bismillah Khan was bestowed with title of ‘Ustad’ and earned many accolades like Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padam Shri, Sangeet Natak Academy award, honoaray doctorates from Banaras Hindu University and Vishwa Bharti University.
Ustad Bismillah Khan was single handedly responsible for making the shehnai a famous musical instrument and bringing it into the mainstream Indian Classical music.Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary appreciated the efforts of Kashmir Performers Collective Srinagar for paying a tribute to Ustad Bismillah Khan in such a wonderful manner. He said that our culture, traditions and music unites religions, communities and help us to develop a strong and united nation.He thanked the Kashmir Performers Collective Srinagar for providing a chance to learn about the life and journey of great music maestro, Ustad Bismillah Khan.Large number of theatre lovers were present on the occasion and appreciated the efforts behind staging a wonderful play on the life of Ustad Bismillah Khan.