Bismillah Khan: The Shehnai Virtuoso and the Spirit of Benaras

Bismillah Khan – Maestro from Benaras offers an intimate and vivid portrait of one of India’s most revered musicians, tracing his extraordinary journey from the bylanes of Dumraon to the global stage. This book takes readers into the very soul of Bismillah Khan’s world—his home, his music, and the timeless charm of Benaras, a city that shaped both his art and his spirit.

From his humble beginnings, where he performed for just five rupees, to becoming a global ambassador of the shehnai, commanding lakhs for a single performance, the book charts his remarkable rise. Set against the rich cultural tapestry of twentieth-century Benaras, it paints a nostalgic picture of its ghats, temples, mehfils, aristocrats, and courtesans—bringing to life an era that has since faded.

More than a biography, this book captures the essence of the man behind the music—his humor, warmth, and eccentricities. As much as Bismillah Khan belonged to the world, his heart remained in the galis of Benaras, where, as he often said, "Even the air sings a raga." Through personal anecdotes and rare insights, the book is a tribute to an artist whose shehnai echoed through history, making an instrument once confined to temples and weddings a voice of India’s musical identity.