MUSICIAN

Bismillah Khan

1916 - 2006

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Ustad Bismillah Khan (born Qamaruddin Khan, 21 March 1916 – 21 August 2006), often referred to by the title Ustad, was an Indian musician credited with popularizing the shehnai, a reeded woodwind instrument. His virtuosity made him a leading Hindustani classical music artist, indelibly linking his name with the woodwind instrument. While the shehnai had importance as a folk instrument played primarily by musicians schooled in traditional ceremonies, Khan elevated its status and brought it to the concert stage. Khan was a devout Muslim but performed at both Hindu and Muslim ceremonies, and was considered a symbol of religious harmony. Read more on Wikipedia

His biography is available in different languages on Wikipedia. Bismillah Khan is the 912th most popular musician (down from 544th in 2019), the 454th most popular biography from India (down from 284th in 2019) and the 10th most popular Indian Musician.

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Among MUSICIANS

Among musicians, Bismillah Khan ranks 912 out of 3,175. Before him are Al Kooper, Jackson Browne, Blackie Lawless, Wanda Jackson, Gary Burton, and Roy Thomas Baker. After him are Tommy Johnson, Herbert Grönemeyer, Floyd Council, Dee Dee Warwick, Neil Peart, and Aarre Merikanto.

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Contemporaries

Among people born in 1916, Bismillah Khan ranks 138. Before him are Zail Singh, Ingrid Vang Nyman, Jenő Fock, Movita Castaneda, Halil İnalcık, and Alexey Maresyev. After him are Wan Li, Benjamin Libet, Anton Diffring, Svend Asmussen, Bill Melendez, and Françoise Giroud. Among people deceased in 2006, Bismillah Khan ranks 174. Before him are Larry Black, David Gemmell, Naushad, Rocío Jurado, Johnny Servoz-Gavin, and Daniel Schmid. After him are Peter Benchley, Suzanne Morrow Francis, Arthur Hill, Jean-François Revel, Tetsurō Tamba, and Henri Colpi.

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In India

Among people born in India, Bismillah Khan ranks 454 out of 1,861. Before him are Ramananda (1400), Gangubai Hangal (1913), Oswald Gracias (1944), D. R. Kaprekar (1905), Bhupen Hazarika (1926), and Telesphore Toppo (1939). After him are Guru Har Rai (1630), Mohammad Hidayatullah (1905), Bhavabhuti (null), Madhubala (1933), Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati (1874), and Chandra Shekhar (1927).

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Among MUSICIANS In India

Among musicians born in India, Bismillah Khan ranks 10. Before him are Pete Best (1941), Ravi Shankar (1920), Cliff Richard (1940), Tansen (1493), Ilaiyaraaja (1943), and Naushad (1919). After him are Christian Zacharias (1950), Barry Hay (1948), M. M. Keeravani (1961), K. S. Chithra (1963), Trilok Gurtu (1951), and Hariprasad Chaurasia (1938).

Indian born Musicians

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