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So well known did he become internationally that an auditorium in Teheran was named after him
— Tahar Mosiquee Ustaad Bismillah Khan.

Teheran is located in Iran. Bismillah Khan was so famous all over the world that in Teheran, an
auditorium has been named after him.

National awards like the Padmashri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan were
conferred on him.

conferred: given, usually an award or a degree

Ustaad Bismillah Khan has been awarded with these national awards.

In 2001, Ustaad Bismillah Khan was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.
With the coveted award resting on his chest and his eyes glinting with rare happiness he said,
“All I would like to say is: Teach your children music, this is Hindustan’s richest tradition; even
the West is now coming to learn our music.’’

coveted: much desired

When Ustaad Bismillah Khan received India’s highest civilian award - Bharat Ratna in the year
2001, his eyes were shining. He was very happy because his hard work had been recognized
and he gave an important message to the country. He told all the Indians to teach music to their
children because music is the richest tradition of India. He said that even the western countries
wanted to learn India’s music.

In spite of having travelled all over the world — Khansaab as he is fondly called — is exceedingly
fond of Banaras and Dumraon and they remain for him the most wonderful towns of the world.

Although Ustaad Bismillah Khan ji had travelled all over the world, he was given so much respect
and recognition, he remained rooted. Benaras, where he learned music and Dumraon, where
he was born and brought up were the two most wonderful towns of the world for him. He was so
down to earth that although he had travelled all over the world, still he was attached to his birth
place.

A student of his once wanted him to head a shehnai school in the U.S.A., and the student
promised to recreate the atmosphere of Banaras by replicating the temples there. But Khansaab
asked him if he would be able to transport River Ganga as well.

replicating: making a copy of something

There was a student of Ustaad Bismillah Khan and he wanted that Ustaad Bismillah Khan should
set up a shehnai school in USA. He promised that he would recreate the temple of Benaras in
America for Ustaad ji as he would miss it. Now Ustaad Bismillah Khan was attached to River
Ganga also. So, he asked his student that would he transport the River Ganga also to America.
So, he wanted to say that he could not leave India – He was attached not only to the temples of
Benaras but also to the holy river Ganga.

Later he is remembered to have said, “That is why whenever I am in a foreign country, I keep
yearning to see Hindustan. While in Mumbai, I think of only Banaras and the holy Ganga. And
while in Banaras, I miss the unique mattha of Dumraon.”

yearning – longing, having a desire for something