Bismillah Khan was a devoted Muslim who also held a profound spiritual connection to music, considering it a religion greater than any other.
His religious beliefs were characterized by a unique blend of personal devotion and universal spiritual reverence, particularly for music:
- Devout Muslim: Bismillah Khan was a practicing and devoted Muslim. His faith was an integral part of his identity.
- Interfaith Harmony: Despite his Islamic faith, he demonstrated remarkable openness and respect for other religious traditions. He honed his musical prowess, learning the art of the shehnai from an uncle who was associated with the Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, a prominent Hindu shrine. This highlights his ability to transcend religious boundaries in his pursuit of musical excellence.
- Devotion to Goddess Saraswati: Beyond his Islamic practices, Bismillah Khan was also a devotee of Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu deity of music, arts, knowledge, and wisdom. This devotion stemmed from his belief that music itself was a supreme religion, encompassing and elevating all other faiths. For him, the "religion of music" was paramount, guiding his artistic and spiritual life.
In essence, Bismillah Khan embodied a spirituality that was deeply rooted in his Islamic faith yet expanded to embrace a universal reverence for music, recognizing its power to connect and transcend conventional religious distinctions.
