Ustad Bismillah Khan passes away

Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, one of India's most celebrated classical musicians, passed away in the wee hours today.

The 91-year-old Bharat Ratna awardee, who had been ailing for quite some time, died of cardiac arrest at the Heritage hospital.

Khan had been admitted to the hospital on Thursday with age-related health problems and weakness brought on by his refusal to eat solid food.

"His condition suddenly deteriorated and he suffered a cardiac arrest at 01.45 hrs. Although Khan was put on the life support system, doctors could not revive him. He was declared dead at 02.20 hrs today," hospital superintendent P S R Aiyer said.

Ironically, Khan's condition had marginally improved yesterday and he had been expected to regain his health soon.

Doctors attending on him had said the Ustad's vital parameters - pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure - were at normal levels yesterday. He was even given solid food after he expressed a desire to eat home-cooked 'halwa'.

Khan had appeared to be in the best of spirits and even sang a couple of songs for attending doctors, Aiyer said.

HRD Minister Arjun Singh and BHU vice-chancellor Panjab Singh had also visited Khan in hospital yesterday.

The minister asked the Ustad about his wish to perform at India Gate, to which Khan had replied that it was his last wish which would be fulfilled if God willed so.

Although he had been ill for quite some time, Khan had repeatedly expressed his reluctance to be taken to hospital and was shifted by his sons and personal physician only on August 17 after his health took a turn for the worse.