Varanasi seat winner should build Bismillah's mausoleum:Family

Bismillah's family rued that political parties remember the Bharat Ratna recipient only during elections but forget all the promises after that

Waiting for eight years for a mausoleum for Shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan, the legend's family says the 'Modi wave' or the 'AAP show' is of little interest to them as they only want the winning candidate to build a tomb for the city's most beloved son.

As electioneering picked up in the holy city, many political leaders including BJP and Congress have been seen at Bismillah's grave at Fateman Dargah in Lallapura here.

Bismillah's family, however, rued that political parties remember the Bharat Ratna recipient only during elections but forget all the promises after that.

"They did not come for Khan Sahab. They were there for votes. The harsh reality is that even after 8 years of his demise there is not a single monument in the city in his memory. We have been waiting for his mausoleum for the last 8 years," Bismillah's grandson Affaq Haider told PTI over phone.

The legend's family does not want to comment on 'Modi wave' but said whoever wins from the city, should build the mausoleum and a museum for the late maestro.

"Artistes do not belong to any one religion or political party. We appeal to all political parties that whoever wins from here should fulfil his duty towards Benaras's most beloved son.

"It's a pity that his mausoleum could not be built even 8 years after his demise. How the future generations will get to know about him," his son Nazim Hussain asked.

"Every street of Benaras witnessed his music. His soul is in the city. He used to do riyaz at Balaji Temple and Vishwanath Temple but there is not a single monument in his memory. Promises were made to build a mausoleum and a museum in Sarnath but the work is yet to begin," he said.

Haider said no one cares about Bismillah's family after his death and most of the members associated with music are jobless.

"We belong to the family of the legendary musician but no one is bothered about our fate after his death. He was the earning member of the family...Now we hardly get any concerts or programmes and don't have any permanent jobs," said Haider.