By IANS,
Mumbai : In an effort to make Indian classical music more popular among the youth, a disciple of legendary shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan held a concert here on his second death anniversary, complete with some rare musical instruments.
Soma Ghosh, well-known vocalist from the Benaras Gharana (school) of Indian classical music, organised the Yaad-e-Bismillah concert Thursday in memory of her foster father.
The function was marked by soulful rendering of some of the maestro’s favourite kajaris by Ghosh.
Besides kajaris, Ghosh also sang some khayals and ghazals, accompanied by instruments like surbahar, tarshehnai, sundari, pakhwaj and khol. Some of the instruments are now rare.
Nazim Hussain, son of Bismillah Khan, accompanied them on the tabla.
A visibly moved Ghosh said: “Abba (father) felt that people are turning away from classical music towards pop music, and wanted to promote classical music among the younger generation.
“To fulfil his wishes I am trying to create more awareness regarding classical music and instruments, as it will be a fitting tribute to his memory.”
Following the concert, a stamp on the late musician was released by legislator Kripashankar Singh, and chief postmaster general of Maharashtra S.M. Bali.
A 40-minute docudrama on the maestro depicting the teacher-pupil tradition between him and his guru Ali Baux was also shown.