The Indian Music Archive
Gharanas & musical lineages
Benares shehnai lineage · Approved research as of 11 October 2026 · https://indianmusicarchive.org
Benares shehnai lineage
also Varanasi shehnai family line
The shehnai moved from temple gateways and weddings to the concert stage largely through one Varanasi family.
- Type
- teaching lineage
- Where it grew
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Voice or instrument
- Shehnai
A hereditary line of temple and ceremonial shehnai players in Varanasi, documented through the family of Bismillah Khan.
- Ali Bux Vilayatulate 19th to 20th centuryShehnaiNo page yet
Shehnai player at the Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and teacher of his nephew Bismillah Khan.
No teaching relationship was proposed for this musician, so no relationship check was run; biographical research is still outstanding.
Sources: Bismillah Khan — Wikipedia · Ustad Bismillah Khan & His Shehnai
- Bismillah Khan1916–2006Shehnai
Made the shehnai a classical solo instrument and became one of India's most loved musicians.
Relationship checking is complete against the source text read for this musician; wider biographical research is still outstanding.
Sources: Bismillah Khan — Wikipedia · Ustad Bismillah Khan & His Shehnai
- S. Balleshborn 1962ShehnaiNo page yet
Shehnai player active in classical and film music.
Taught by Bismillah Khan
Relationship checking is complete against the source text read for this musician; wider biographical research is still outstanding.
Sources: S. Ballesh — Wikipedia · Dr. Krishna Ballesh Bhajantri - Chennai - hindustani-music
Sources for this tradition
Researched entry · 3 musicians documented · Last reviewed 14 September 2026