Yaad-e-Bismillah 2025: A Timeless Tribute to Ustad Bismillah Khan

Yaad-e-Bismillah: Honouring the Timeless Legacy of Ustad Bismillah Khan

The yearly tribute concert to Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan known as Yaad-e-Bismillah serves as a living reminder of India’s rich musical history. The echoes of centuries of discipline, devotion and cultural heritage can be heard in Indian classical music. The shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan holds an unparalleled position of awe among the legends who influenced this tradition. The renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Padma Shri Dr. Soma Ghosh the Ustad’s foster daughter has been planning this tribute for almost 20 years in an effort to preserve his memory and music. 

At 6:30 PM on August 20 2025 the 18th Yaad-e-Bismillah took place at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) located in Janpath New Delhi. A celebration of India’s artistic heritage and a reminder of the need to uphold and transmit its customs, the evening was more than just a musical performance. 

Honoring Indian Classical Music Icons

The Ustad Bismillah Khan Silver Shehnai Award which honors Indian classical music luminaries who have enhanced the tradition with their brilliance is a defining feature of this yearly tribute. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan the renowned sarod maestro whose skill has influenced generations of musicians and music lovers worldwide received this year’s prestigious award. 

There is a distinguished history associated with the award. It has been given to notable figures in Indian music over the years such as.

• Ratna Pt. Bharat. The master of Hindustani vocal music is Bhimsen Joshi. 
• Padma Vibhushan Point. Banaras gharana tabla virtuoso Kishan Maharaj. 
• Smt. Padma Vibhushan. Prabha Atre is a leading representative of the Kirana gharana. 
• Vibhushan Padma Pt. Jasraj whose moving performances warmed the hearts of many.

The renowned tabla maestro Pt. was given the 6th Silver Shehnai Award at the 2025 edition. Well-known for his genius inventiveness and commitment to rhythm is Suresh Talwalkar. An audience rose in awe of his contributions to the world of percussion particularly in broadening the tabla’s appeal across genres. 

These honors which are given out during Yaad-e-Bismillah have established a tradition of reverence and acknowledgment that connects Indian classical music’s current torchbearers with its historical masters. 

A Promise Turned into a Tribute

Yaad-e-Bismillah has its origins in a profoundly poignant discussion. Following the demise of Ustad Bismillah Khan in 2006 former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam made a sincere request to Dr. Soma Ghosh. He asked her to make sure that the Ustads music principles and legacy endure forever and to encourage upcoming generations to stay rooted in India’s rich cultural heritage. 

Inspired by this plea Dr. Dot Ghosh started hosting Yaad-e-Bismillah every year. What started as a tribute has developed into a venue where Indian classical music is experienced by audiences and maestros gather and music preserves Ustad Bismillah Khan’s legacy. This event has spread the maestros’ message of peace, devotion and the universality of music over the years not only in India but also abroad. 

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Sangeet Grams Dream

Additionally this year’s event presented a future vision. The Maharashtra government recently granted land for Dr. Soma Ghosh’s dream project Sangeet Gram. Sangeet Gram was founded as a specialized Gurukul for Indian classical music and dance with the mission of preserving and advancing the nation’s artistic heritage. 

These are the goals of the project. 

• Resurrect instruments like the sursringar pakhawaj and rudra veena that are endangered or forgotten. 
• Under the guru-shishya parampara teach vocal gharanas and traditional dance forms. 
• Give artists a place to call home so they can share their knowledge without worrying about their art dying out.
• Establish a cultural center so that enthusiasts and young students can learn about India’s history. 

Speaking about her vision Dr. Ghosh stressed that his instrument will stand the test of time if the artist survives. She wants to establish Sangeet Gram as a living haven where tradition and innovation coexist guaranteeing the survival of classical dance and music for many generations to come. 

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A Celebration of Legacy and Persistence

Beyond just a musical evening the 18th edition of Yaad-e-Bismillah served as a reminder of the ways in which art preserves memory identity and community. His spirit still reverberates in the endeavors of his followers and admirers just as Ustad Bismillah Khan’s shehnai used to reverberate through temple ghats and lavish festivities. 

In order to ensure that the maestro’s message of devotion and artistry continues to inspire Dr. Soma Ghosh has brought together legendary artists, honored them with the Silver Shehnai and unveiled a vision for the future through Sangeet Gram.

One thing became evident as the sounds of classical music filled the IGNCA on August 20: Yaad-e-Bismillah will ensure that Ustad Bismillah Khan’s legacy endures in the hearts of music lovers everywhere. 

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