He left for Varanasi at the age of six. But, one of his family members, Pachkauri Mian, continued to play shehnai at the temple in Dumraon till 1985. “Later, Bismillah took Pachkauri to Varanasi and helped him start a business,” Bismillah’s neighbour Sultan said.

Today, this town has little to boast its association with the Shehnai legend. His eldest son Mehtab has purchased about two kathas of land in the same locality to remain in touch with his father’s native place.

Meanwhile, on Monday when the news of his death was flashed on TV, the railway station in the town witnessed an unusual crowd of people wanting to board the Punjab Mail heading for Varanasi. About two dozen old people approached the Buxar DM Rashid Ahmed Khan, seeking the latter’s help to get reservation aboard Punjab Mail to reach Varanasi before the burial. “Eight persons, including Khan’s close relatives and his friends, were sent to Varanasi in an AC coach of the train while others were accommodated in the general compartment,” Ahmed told The Indian Express over phone.