Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan died of a cardiac arrest in Varanasi early on Monday.
Updated at 9.40 pm
VARANASI: Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan died of a cardiac arrest early on Monday.
The 91-year-old Bharat Ratna awardee, who had been admitted to Heritage hospital here on August 17 with age- related health problems, passed away at 2.20 am.
"His condition suddenly deteriorated and he suffered a cardiac arrest at 1.45 am. Although Khan was put on the life support system, doctors could not revive him. He was declared dead at 2.20 am," hospital superintendent PSR Aiyer said.
Khan's condition had marginally improved on Sunday with his vital parameters like pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure at normal levels, doctors attending on him had said.
He had even been given solid food after he expressed a desire to eat home-cooked halwa.
The shehnai maestro is survived by his five sons and three daughters.
Khan was born on March 21, 1916 into a family of court musicians and later trained under his uncle, the late Ali Bux Vilayatu, a shehnai player at Varanasi's Vishwanath temple.
During his fruitful career, Khan enthralled audiences at performances across the globe. He was bequeathed the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, the Tansen award and the Padma Vibhushan.
In 2001, Khan became the third classical musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
Despite his fame, Khan's lifestyle retained its old world charm and he continued to use the cycle rickshaw as his chief mode of transport till his death.
Khan had appeared to be in the best of spirits and even sang a couple of songs for attending doctors, Aiyer said.
Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh and Benares Hindu University Vice Chancellor Panjab Singh had visited Khan in hospital on Sunday.
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.
All government offices and schools in Uttar Pradesh were declared closed on Monday as a mark of respect to Khan, who will be given a state funeral, the state government announced.
Khan's body was brought to his residence in the Harha Sarai locality by family members, where a large number of people, including his relatives and well wishers, had gathered to pay their last respects to the departed icon.
The shehnai maestro's body would be kept at the Benia Bagh park adjoining his residence to enable well wishers and residents of the temple city to pay their homage to the Bharat Ratna awardee, the family said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and several prominent dignitaries are expected to arrive in the temple city to pay tributes.
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