Ustad Bismillah Khan’s son passes away

VARANASI: Jamin Hussain, the third son of late shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, died here on Saturday. 74-year-old Hussain, who was a shehnai maestro himself, was undergoing treatment for diabetes and various other ailments at IMS-BHU for some time. He breathed his last at his home ‘Kali Mahal’.

VARANASI: Jamin Hussain, the third son of late shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, died here at the age of 74 on Saturday. Hussain, who was a shehnai maestro himself, was undergoing treatment for diabetes and various other ailments at IMS-BHU for some time. He breathed his last at his home ‘Kali Mahal’.

His mortal remains were laid to rest at Fatman Dargah next to where Ustad Bismillah Khan is buried. He leaves behind his wife, five young daughters and son, Afak Hussain, who will now carry forward the shehnai legacy of Ustad Bismillah Khan, according to family sources.

Jamin’s son said his father was a Shehnai exponent and was carrying forward the legacy of Ustad Bismillah Khan. He had given performance in various countries and used to play tunes taught by the Ustad.

Afak added that Jamin used to accompany Ustad Bismillah Khan whenever he performed abroad. Jamin also had several fans in foreign countries who used to invite him to perform there. He used to perform riyaaz for hours even at this age. But his health deteriorated in the recent years as he was suffering from diabetes. Like a true maestro, he loved shehnai. “Shehnai was everything to him. He was an expert in playing classical tunes.”

Soon after locals came to know about his demise, they gathered outside his house to pay tributes.