Dr. Soma Ghosh, Padma Shri awardee and renowned Hindustani classical vocalist, organised the 18th annual edition of ‘Yaad-e-Bismillah’ — a tribute concert in memory of the shehnai maestro, Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan.
The event took place on August 20, 2025, at 6:30 PM at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Janpath, New Delhi. The prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan ‘Silver Shehnai’ Award was presented to Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, sarod maestro and one of India’s most respected classical musicians. Previous recipients of this award had included:
* Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
* Padma Vibhushan Pt. Kishan Maharaj
* Padma Vibhushan Smt. Prabha Atre
* Padma Vibhushan Pt. Jasraj
At the 2025 ‘Yaad-e-Bismillah’ concert, the 6th ‘Silver Shehnai’ award was presented to the legendary tabla maestro Pt. Suresh Talwalkar.
‘Yaad-e-Bismillah’ had begun after a phone call Dr. Soma Ghosh received from the late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, following the passing of Ustad Bismillah Khan. Dr. Kalam had requested that Dr. Ghosh preserve the memory and music of the Ustad for future generations. Since then, Dr. Ghosh had held this annual tribute concert both in India and internationally.
In addition to the concert, Dr. Ghosh had also announced her dream project: “Sangeet Gram”, for which the Government of Maharashtra had recently allotted her land.
Sangeet Gram was envisioned as a dedicated Gurukul for all forms of Indian classical music and dance, with a special focus on reviving endangered musical instruments and traditional styles.
Dr. Ghosh had expressed her belief: “If the artist survives, his instrument will survive the test of time.” With ‘Sangeet Gram’, she hoped to ensure that both the artists and their art forms would continue to flourish for generations to come.