This is based on true events. Ustad Bismillah Khan told the editor of the Illustrated Weekly of India about the following incident: #Thread
Every morning, Bismilla Khan's uncle Ali Baksh would visit the adjacent Jadau Sri Balaji (Maha-Vishnu) temple. He earned Rs.4 a month by playing the shehnai for the entire day. Bismillah would sometimes follow him in the morning, listen to his music, n get captivated n perplexed.
Uncle n nephew walked to the Balaji temple after the morning sessions at the Jadau temple. Ali Baksh had a room designated for him. He practised for around five hours a day there. When Ali Baksh finished practising, he discovered Bismillah seated next to him, listening n hungry.
Bismillah never bothered his uncle. Bismillah was always perplexed as to why his Uncle went to the Balaji temple room to practise when he could do so at home without being bothered. He asked his uncle one day, unable to contain his eagerness.
Uncle Ali stroked his locks and answered, "You will learn it one day." Bismillah was quick to ask, "But, Mamu when will I start playing shehnai ?" "Why talk about when; you are going to start today," he said.
Uncle Ali escorted Bismillah to the Jadau Maha-Vishnu temple that evening, and then to the room of the Balaji temple where he had practised for almost 18 years after the nightly shehnai recital. Uncle Ali finally gave Bismillah Khan permission to practise there.
Uncle Ali, on the other hand, arrived with a warning: "In this temple, if you happen to experience or see anything exceptional, don't tell anything to anyone."
Bismillah was overjoyed and practised for 4 to 6 hours in the room. He experimented and discovered new heights and depths of musical scales and melodies, oblivious to the changes taking on outside the four walls. Bismillah's desire to improve his music overtook him.
Bismillah Khan was alone on the premises of Balaji temple around 4:00 a.m., immersed in his shahanai practise. He became aware that someone was seated next to him. It was none other than Bhagavan Balaji!!
Bismillah Khan remained stunned and speechless. Then Bhagavan Sri. Balaji responded, "Play...," with a smile. Khan, on the other hand, was still too astonished to continue. Bhagavan Balaji then grinned and walked away.
Bismillah Khan went to Ali, his Guru and Uncle, later that day and told him about his encounter at the Balaji temple. "Did I not tell you not to say anything to anyone?" Uncle slapped him on the cheek. The Shahnai master, Ustad Bismillah Khan, had a close meeting with Sri Krishna
Despite his Muslim faith, the famed Ustad held enormous regard for Sri Krishna, which may have led the compassionate Lord to appear in person. This story is based on an interview with Ustad Bismillah Khan, which was published in Malayala Manorama by Dr. Madhu Vasudevan:
Ustad Bismillah Khan was travelling by train from Jamdshedpur to Varanasi many years ago. Ustad was travelling in the third class compartment on a coal-run passenger train.
A young cowherd boy boarded the bogie in which Ustad was sitting from an intermediate rural railway station. He was a dark and skinny young man, and he was playing the flute. Slowly, the young man began to play his flute.
The maestro Ustad, who had no idea what 'Raga' the youngster was playing, was taken aback by the superior quality of his music. The boy, according to Ustad Bismillah Khan, is none other than Sri Krishna, the Supreme God Himself.
Ustad's heart was filled with ecstasy as the nectar in Nada-Brahman (Brahman in the form of music) streaming from Krishna's flute filled him with joy, and tears of joy began to flow from his eyes.
After the incredible performance, Ustad drew the youngster close and handed him a quarter, asking him to play the song again. Krishna was happy to help. This cycle continued until Ustad's cash was depleted. Krishna disembarked at the next railway station and vanished.
In fact, Ustad was on his way to take part in a Kumbha Mela-related music concert. Ustad delivered the new 'Raga' (which he learned that day from Krishna) at that concert. The audience adored this melodic 'raga,' and requested Ustad to sing it again and again.
The music scholars in the area couldn't figure out what the 'Raga' was called, so they questioned Bismillah Khan about it. The Raga's name is 'Kanharira,' according to Ustad.
The next day's newspapers carried stories about Ustad Bismillah Khan's new, melodious 'Raga.' After reading it, Hariprasad Chaurasia, the famous Musician (Flutist), inquired about the intricacies of the 'Kanharira Raga' to Bismillah Khan.
Ustad confessed the truth and sang Kanharira, eliciting joyous tears from Hariprakash Chaurasia, the world's greatest flautist. 'Kanharira' is a holy gem in Indian music, as it came from Sri. Krishna's lotus lips, the God of Gods!!!
When it comes to honouring His disciples, Bhagavan Sri Krishna's methods are mysterious. HE does not discriminate based on caste, creed, or religion. The single condition is "BHAKTI." सर्वं श्रीकृष्णार्पणम्
