His home in Banaras demolished, where will Bismillah Khan’s shehnai go?
Indian Express - Opinion · Published 9 November 2026 · Last updated
The demolition of a portion of Ustad Bismillah Khan's ancestral home in Banaras highlights the critical institutional neglect in preserving the residences of India's cultural icons.
Key points
- A portion of the 90-year-old disputed ancestral home of shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan in Banaras was demolished by his grandson, Mohammad Sibtain, on November 9, 2026.
- Mohammad Sibtain defended the demolition by stating that the structure was dilapidated and unsafe for occupancy.
- The grandson announced plans to dedicate part of the ground floor of the house to a museum dedicated to the Bharat Ratna musician, in collaboration with the Varanasi Municipal Corporation.
- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP over the incident following the demolition controversy.
- The Varanasi Municipal Corporation stated that it had not received any formal request from the family for a museum and maintained it had no role in the demolition.
- Ustad Bismillah Khan famously rejected a wealthy American admirer's offer to settle in the United States, asking where he would get the Ganga from.
Background
- Unlike Western nations that actively acquire and conserve the homes of cultural figures, India historically lacks a systemic mechanism for such preservation.
- While the homes of cultural icons like Ustad Alauddin Khan (managed by family until recently) and Girija Devi are undergoing restoration years after their demise, most home museums remain privately owned and maintained.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: Indian Express - Opinion