On the 17th death anniversary of the legendary Shehnai mastero Ustad Bismillah Khan, a memorial concert was held at the Sanskaar Bharti auditorium, mandi house, New Delhi. With the title "Yade-Bismillah," this musical concert was organised by Sanskaar Bharti and India Heritage Art and Culture Trust.
This magnum event was celebrated with a stellar performance by Padma Shri Dr. Shoma Ghosh and santoor maestro Dr. Bipul Ray. The major highlight of this event was the conferral of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Award upon Lokesh Anand, a renowned Shehnai artist. Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale presented this award to Lokesh Anand for his outstanding contribution to music and specifically to his mastery in Shehnai.
This gala event witnessed many prominent figures. Former Home Minister of Maharashtra Kripa Shankar, former MP from Mathura Dr. Raja Manvendra Singh, Shool Pani Singh, founder of India Heritage Art and Culture Trust, Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of National Commission for Women and Navneet Kumar Sehgal Chairman, Prasar Bharati Board graced this event with their presence.
Lokesh Anand's musical journey started at the tender age of 8 under the aegis of his father Shri Kalicharan, and later, Pandit Anand Lal and Daya Shankar. His association with Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj helped him immensely to refined his skills and enabling him to develop a unique style by blending traditional and vocal nuances.
Lokesh has always managed to captivate global audiences throughout his splendid career. Apart from performing at esteemed events like the Akashwani Sangeet Sammelan, Tansen Music Festival, Hariballah Music Festival, Saptak Music Festival and Sankat Mochan Music Festival, he has also represented India at prestigious international platforms, including the G20 Summit in New Delhi and the "Zurnazen Festival" in Turkey, as the first reputed Indian artist to represent Shehnai at the "Zurnazen Festival". Apart from this, he also performed at the Ram Lala Pran Pratishtha Samaroh in Ayodhya. His impressive list of achievements and hard work has put another feather in his cap by his nomination for the "GIMA" Award for (Track -Swan-Lake Op20 Lokesh Anand). This has solidified his position as a leading Shehnai artist.
The "Yade-Bismillah" tribute concert was indeed a fitting and important celebration of Ustad Bismillah Khan's legacy, and Lokesh Anand's award is truly a well-deserved recognition of his remarkable efforts to preserve and promote India's rich musical cultural heritage. Lokesh Anand is committed to promote Shehnai across the globe and for this he is touring for a series of concerts internationally. He will be performing in Turkey and USA in September and October 2024.
