Shehnai maestro late Ustad Bismillah Khan, who was unable to fulfil his lifetime desire to play his instrument at the India Gate, will be enshrined in the minds of children with his life and art becoming part of the curriculum for Class IX students.

While performing at a cultural programme in Delhi three years ago, the maestro said, “When I sing the bhajan Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, it gives me tremendous satisfaction to know that at least some of the children will remember the ‘old man’ for the song’’. That dream has now been realised, as the NCERT has included a chapter on the Ustad in the Class IX syllabus.

On India’s first Republic Day, Bismillah enthralled audiences with a sterling performance from the ramparts of the Red Fort. In its recently published Class IX English book, the NCERT has devoted an entire chapter on the musician who breathed his last at the age of 91 on August 21 last year.

When India gained independence, Bismillah was the first to greet the nation with a mellifluous rendition of shehnai. “He poured his heart out into Raag Kafi from the Red Fort to an audience which included Jawaharlal Nehru, who later delivered his famous Tryst with Destiny speech,’’ says the relevant chapter in the book.

“Bismillah was an epitome of Hindu-Muslim amity, the rich cultural heritage of the country and passion for the occupation. His love for India is unique and the chapter would help a new generation know about the legend and a genre of music,’’ the book read.