Shehnai exponent Ustad Ali Ahmad Hussain Khan died

 Eminent Shehnai exponent Ustad Ali Ahmad Hussain Khan died on 16 March 2016 in Kolkata. He was 77.
•    Ustad Khan was known as one of the best-known players of the instrument after the legendary Bismillah Khan (1916-2006).
•    He was from a family of renowned shehnai exponents. His grandfather Wazir Ali Khan, father Ali Jan Khan and uncle Nazir Hussain Khan were also renowned shehnai specialists.
•    In fact, Wazir Ali Khan was the first to demonstrate Indian classical music on shehnai at Buckingham Palace.
•    He was famously known for his innovative style and mastery over the classical and semi-classical and folk music repertoire.
•    He, along with sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, played Shehnai at the inauguration ceremony of Doordarshan in 1973. He also rendered its signature tune.
•    He was a top-graded artiste of All India Radio (AIR) and taught in the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata.
•    His concert tours have included countries like United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, etc.
•    In 2010, he was felicitated with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Hindustani instrumental music.
•    In 2012, he was felicitated with the Bangabhushan Award by the Government of West Bengal