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| Saturday, 9 August 2003 |
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Legendary flautist quietens cacophony in parliament NEW DELHI, Friday (AFP) Legendary Indian flautist Bismillah Khan had a sobering effect on parliament when he performed with his daughter while the house was adjourned amid bedlam over reports on murky defence deals. Khan, a recipient of India's highest civilian award, performed a duet with his vocalist daughter Soma Ghosh for President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and several politicians who hours earlier were fighting verbal battles in the house. "I am a devotee of melody. It is just sound. But when you hear it you forget everything," said Khan after he arrived at parliament in a wheelchair for the unique concert. The flautist, who recently became the third Indian musician to be honoured with the Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India) national award, was invited to parliament by Speaker Manohar Joshi. The frail Khan, who has been reduced to penury and urgently needs funds for medical treatment, had sought help from the Indian government but his appeals went unnoticed. Punjab Chief Minister Amrinder Singh came to the rescue of the maestro with financial help and said his state government would set up a body to help artists of Khan's stature who have fallen on bad times. Khan, who is suffering from various age-related ailments, is a household name, fabled for his fusion of Hindu and Islamic music. He made his mark when he played the lilting Shehnai, an ethnic flute, at the national function on the eve of India's first Republic Day ceremony in 1951 and since then has won every possible domestic award linked to music. |
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