Bismillah Khan's condition stable

VARANASI: Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan's health is improving and his vital parameters are functioning normally but he will remain under  observation in the intensive care unit of the Heritage Hospital here for the next two or three days.

"Khan today met his family members and some well-wishers and was able to recognise them individually," hospital sources said.

The shehnai legend's health is improving, his vital parameters functioning normally and his condition is stable, they said.

But doctors at the private hospital have decided to keep him under observation in the ICU for the next 48 to 72 hours.

The 91-year-old Bharat Ratna awardee was rushed to the hospital on Thursday on the advice of his personal physician Nadeem Jafri after his condition appeared to deteriorate.

Hospital authorities have constituted a three-member medical team, comprising nephrologist D K Sinha, cardiologist Ajay Pandey and gastroenterologist Hemant Rai, to monitor Khan's health round-the-clock.

The maestro, suffering from with general weakness and age-related problems, had been put on an intravenous liquid diet by Jafri when he refused solid food.

A large number of well-wishers from across the country, including Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, BJP national president Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had made enquiries over phone about the health of Khan.