The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

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Emperor Aurabgzeb banned  the playing of a musibcal instrument called Pungi in the royal residence for it had a shrill unpleasant sound. Pungi become the generic name for   reeded noismakers. Few had thought that it would one day be revived. A barber of a family of professional musicians,Who had access to the royal palace, decided to improve the tonal quality of the pungi.He chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was longer and broader then the pungi, and made seven holes on the body of the pipe. When he  played on it, closing and opening some of these holes, soft and melodious sounds were produced. He played in instrument before royalty and everyone was imprssced. The instrument So different Tom and Pungi had to be giving a new name. as the story goes, sign it was played in first in the shah, s chambers and was trading by a nai (barber), the instrument was named The Shehnai.