Felt bad to hear about the demise of Ustad Bismillah Khan Sb.
Too insignificant I am to comment upon an artist like him, but I'd always respected, and liked him, since the time I actively started listening to his shehnai.
Some years ago, we'd gone to attend his concert as a part of Mood-I. I liked the way he talked because I could relate it to the way the elderly talk in our family. I found him to be a very simple and humane, as the host told us that Ustad had come all the way to Mumbai, on his request, inspite of his ill-health. Of course, once he started, he cleared all my doubts regarding why is he called a legend. Someone requested a "kajri" and he responded "pata bhi hai kajri hoti kya hai?" (d'u even know what a kajri is?) and all bursted into laughter. But the request was fulfilled. It was a wonderful experience.
Yesterday they were showing on TV that minor ruptures have already started occuring in Ustad's family, with noone to continue his legacy. I was sorry to hear that.
The Ustad's presence shall always be missed...but he would remain alive with his contributions to the Indian classical music.
