Shenai Concert

Ustad Bismillah Khan, the 86-year-old wheelchair-bound patriarch of Indian classical music, received a standing ovation from his audience with a disarming smile.

He then asked the organisers to focus the spotlight on the audience rather than him, saying he was a musician and not a classical dancer who needed to be seen.

Khan had woven magic for an hour at the Rashidiya Ballroom of Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai, on Friday evening, with his shehnai (Indian wind instrument) rendition backed by his party of nine musicians including support shehnai players and the kurdak and sur peti musicians.

He breathed softly into the shehnai and played out the intricacies of his favourite harmonies in a number of styles and rhythms.

While Khan held the fort, he was generous enough to let his tabla player, Naseem Hussain, showcase his talent. The Ustad would pause often in his recital to allow the percussion artist do his bit and receive his share of applause. The shehnai maestro was also willing to let his support shehnai players share the limelight.

Respecting audience requests, Khan played a selection of semi-classical tunes as well, including a short kajri and the popular wedding melody, Jeevan Mein Piya Tera Saath Rahen.


When he finished, pointing out that shehnai does not merely involve the fingers but involves the use of breath itself, he left his audience asking for more.