CLASS IX ENGLISH CHAPTER THE SOUND OF MUSIC SOLUTION

Class 9 English Solution

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

By Deborah Cowley

EVELYN GLENNIE

The the chapter is divided into two segments. Both deal with the aspects of music and the amazing performers who accomplished greatness in their respective fields.

The first segment is about Evelyn Glennie, who disregarding being deaf earned a name in the field of playing the xylophone.

BISMILLAH KHAN

In the second part, we come to know about Bismillah Khan, a shehnai maestro who has achieved excellence in the field of shehnai playing. He was awarded ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 2001 in acknowledgement of his commitment in the field of music. Both are inspiring musicians who have motivated many people.

DEBORAH COWLEY

Class 9 English Solution

CHARACTERS:

PART I

EVELYN GLENNIE: She is a renowned xylophone player who was deaf but managed to overcome her disability.

RON FORBES: Ron Forbes is the percussionist who spotted the potential within the young Evelyn Glennie and motivated her to play the drums.

SUMMARY

PART I

A Scottish girl named Evelyn was very fond of music and wanted to make it her life. Evelyn lost her hearing. It was first noticed when she was eight years old. By eleven-year, she was completely deaf due to nerve damage.

She was determined to have an ordinary existence and pursue her interest in music. One day, she noticed a girl playing the xylophone and felt that she wanted to play it too. The majority of the teachers disheartened her but percussionist Ron Forbes recognized the potential within her. He started by tuning two large drums to different notes. Evelyn could feel the different notes of the drum in her body.

The rest was sheer determination and hard work. She made a trip to The United Kingdom with a youth orchestra and when she was sixteen, she had chosen to make music her life. She tried out (auditioned) for the Royal Academy of Music and scored one of the highest marks in the history of the academy. Towards the end of her three-year course, she had received most of the top awards.

She explains that music flows through every part of her body. It tangles in the skin, her cheekbones and even in her hair. When she plays the xylophone, she can sense the sound leaving behind the stick into her fingertips. By leaning against the drums, she can feel the resonances (sounds) flowing into her body. On a wooden stage, she takes off her shoes so that the vibrations go through her bare feet and up her legs.

Evelyn is a perfect example that disability can not stop a person to achieve the goal if he/she is determined and works hard towards it. Evelyn has earned many awards and rewards. She has given enormous pleasure to millions.

Class 9 English Solution

WORD MEANINGS:

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Rush hours - the usual hours of going to the office and returning from the office that causes crowd.

Jostle - push roughly.

Daunting - frightening.

Profoundly - completely.

Deteriorated - started to become poorer.

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Pursue - to carry on with one’s interest in something.

Percussionist - a person who plays the table or drum etc.

Sheer - only.

Sought-after - one who is known for one’s ability

Intriguing - fascinating and curious.

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Flawlessly - without a fault or mistake.

Lilt - a way of speaking.

Tingles - causes a slight pricking or stinging sensation.

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Workaholic - a person who finds it difficult to stop working.

The Sound of Music

1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?

Answer: When Evelyn went to the Royal Academy of Music in London, she was around seventeen years of age.

2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?

Answer: Her deafness was first noticed by her mother when Evelyn was eight-year-old. She was waiting for her name to be called to play the piano but when her name was called she did not move at all. Her deafness was confirmed when she was eleven-year-old.

3. Who helped Evelyn to continue with music? What did he do and say?

Answer: Percussionist Ron Forbes helped Evelyn to continue with music. He started by tuning two huge drums to various notes. He advised Evelyn not to listen through her ears, however, to attempt to sense the sound through some other way.

4. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.

Answer: Apart from the regular concerts, Evelyn gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She gives high priority to classes for young musicians. She is an inspiration to deaf children.

5. How does Evelyn hear music?

Answer: Evelyn was deaf. She could not hear music through her ears. She used to hear music by sensing the notes in different parts of her body. Ron Forbes taught her to hear like this. He tuned two drums to different notes and asked her to sense the sound in some other way.

Evelyn realised that she could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower drum from the waist down.

When she plays the xylophone, she can sense the sound leaving behind the stick into her fingertips. By leaning against the drums, she can feel the resonances (sounds) flowing into her body. On a wooden stage, she takes off her shoes so that the vibrations go through her bare feet and up her legs. She explains that music flows through every part of her body. It tangles in the skin, her cheekbones and even in her hair.

Hearing music was like feeling throughout her body which was a skill for her as she was not able to hear it normally.

EVELYN GLENNIE AND RON FORBES

Class 9 English Solution

6. Who was Ron Forbes?

Answer: Ron Forbes was a famous percussionist of Evelyn’s school who helped Evelyn to continue with music.

7. What award did Evelyn win in 1991?

Answer: In 1991 Evelyn was given ‘Soloist of the Year Award’ by Philharmonic Society.

8. Who was James Blades?

Answer: James Blades was a master percussionist.

9. What do you understand by the expression: “fresh from a Scottish farm”?

Answer: The expression “fresh from a Scottish farm” implies that the girl belonged to the family of farmers in Scotland and had not yet attained much experience or exposure in the world.

The Sound of Music

10. Why did her teachers discourage Evelyn?

Answer: Evelyn’s teachers discouraged her because they felt that being deaf she would not be able to learn to play the xylophone.

11. What was the difference between the attitude of Evelyn’s teachers and that of Ron Forbes?

Answer: Evelyn’s teachers saw just the impediment of Evelyn though Ron Forbes, with his hopeful and positive attitude, could see her potential and abilities.

12. What made Evelyn’s achievements so great?

Answer: The way that Evelyn had won the awards regardless of her hearing incapacity made her achievements so great.

13. What was wrong with Evelyn Glennie?

Answer: Evelyn was profoundly deaf.

14. What was Evelyn’s special field of interest?

Answer: Evelyn’s special field of interest was music.

15. While leaving for the Royal Academy of Music, why was Evelyn excited despite her nervousness?

Answer: For Evelyn, setting off the Royal Academy of Music, London was a dream comes true. She was going to join a three-year course in an institute she had cherished to join. It energized her to imagine that despite her impaired hearing she had advanced towards such a prestigious institute.

16. What advice were the parents of Evelyn given once her deafness was confirmed?

Answer: When Evelyn’s was affirmed by a specialist, Evelyn’s parents were advised to get hearing aids for their daughter. They were likewise advised to send her to a special school where only deaf children were taught.

17. “Everything suddenly looked black”. Why does Evelyn say so?

Answer: When Evelyn was advised to use hearing devices and join the school for the deaf, she felt that her future was disheartening and dim. She was discouraged, as all desire for extraordinary accomplishments seemed to have disappeared. She had now become a disabled child who could not have easy access to normal life.

18. Why does Evelyn say that men with bushy beards give her trouble?

Answer: Evelyn says that men with bushy beards give her trouble since she has to watch their entire face, particularly their eyes to get what they say. Simply watching their lips does not help as the lips remained partially cover-up in the beards.

19. Which qualities of character enabled Evelyn to move ahead in life?

Answer: Evelyn's Steady determination and hard work empowered her to move forward in life without looking back. Rather than yielding, she chose to overcome her problem and lead the life of a normal person. Being a compulsive worker, she put in her sincere efforts and continued progressing further and further.

20. Who is James Blades? What is his opinion about Evelyn’s talent?

Answer: James Blades is a master percussionist. He believes that God may have taken Evelyn's hearing however has given her back something unprecedented. The crowd hears what she feels, which is far more profound than what any of the other percussionists feel. It is because of this ability that she expresses music so wonderfully.

Class 9 English Solution

21. How is Evelyn an inspiration for the handicapped people?

Answer: Evelyn’s accomplishments, gained through determination and hard work, set a model or example before other handicapped people. They gain confidence from her example and believe that they also can accomplish their goals in life by conquering their impediment with firm determination.

22. If you work hard and know where you are going, you’ll get there,” remarks Evelyn Glennie. What does it reveal about her character?

Or

Which traits of Evelyn’s personality enabled her to overcome the challenge of deafness?

Or

Which values of life strengthened Evelyn against the handicap of her deafness? What does her career teach to the handicapped people?

Answer: Evelyn’s firm determination, her industrious nature and her clarity of aim are well revealed in her announcement. These values of her character have empowered her to conquer her impairment of deafness boldly. Even though she developed hearing impedance at a young age of eight only, she has never let it become a hindrance in her way to success.

Firmly determined to lead the life of a normal person, Evelyn never gave up her passion for music. The encouragement and training provided by Ron Forbes paved the way for her advancement progression and she adhered to the way with unstaggering confidence. It was this certainty and faith in herself that made her dare try out for the Royal Academy of Music, London where she got the highest awards.

Evelyn is an obsessive worker. This helped her to toil hard, in fact much harder than the traditional artists to acquire percussion to the front stage in the orchestra. She believes that no goal is unachievable for the individuals who try sincerely and are focused on the goal. With her sincere efforts, she moved from orchestra to solo performances and eventually turned into a universally eminent percussionist owing to her command over a large number of instruments. She had the courage and confidence to trample down her disability and move on without looking back.

Her firm decisions, her true endeavours, her enthusiastic work, and her untiring commitment to music are a source of motivation for the people with challenges.

23. Who was Ron Forbes and what did he do?

Answer: Answer: Ron Forbes was a master percussionist and urged Evelyn to play the two huge drums to various notes. He wanted Evelyn to hear the music not through the ear however through her body. He encouraged Evelyn to hear the music disregarding her deafness.

24. How did Evelyn become able to sense different notes?

Answer: Evelyn became able to sense different notes by opening her body and mind to sounds and vibrations. She could sense the sound of music streaming into the body. She used to stand barefoot so that she could sense the vibrations without any problem.

25. What special achievement did Evelyn have in the history of the Royal Academy?

Answer: The unique achievement that Evelyn had in the history of Royal Academy was that she was the most noteworthy scorer in the course. Except her, no one else had done it ever in the history of the academy.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC, LONDON

26. What did Evelyn say about her sensing the music?

Answer: Evelyn said that the music poured in through every part of her body. Music tingled in her skin and in her cheekbones. She could hear it the other way by sensing the vibrations.

The Sound of Music

27. Why did Evelyn use to remove her shoes on a wooden platform?

Answer: Evelyn used to remove her shoes on a wooden platform so that she could feel the vibrations that went through her bare feet. She could not get the vibrations properly with shoes and therefore could not feel the music.

28. How was Evelyn able to express music so beautifully?

Answer: Evelyn was able to effortlessly articulate the music as she could hear it more profoundly than anyone. Others might hear music only through the ears but Evelyn could sense music through her body. She could sense the vibrations in her body.

 29. Which are the places where Evelyn performed her concerts?

Answer: Evelyn has given free concerts. Also, she has performed in many locations, including prisons, hospitals. She has also performed for those children who dream to be musicians.

CHARACTERS:

PART II

AURANGAZEB: Aurangazeb was a Mughal emperor who banned the playing of pungi in the royal court.

BISMILLAH KHAN: Bismillah Khan was the legendary shehnai player who brought this instrument to the front of the world.

RASOOL BUX KHAN: Rasool Bux Khan was the grandfather of the great Bismillah Khan.

PAIGAMBAR BUX: Paigambar Bux was the father of Bismillah Khan.

ALI BUX: Ali Bux was the maternal uncle of Bismillah Khan.

The Sound of Music

SUMMARY

PART II

The playing of a musical instrument called pungi in the King's Residence was banned by Emperor Aurangzeb because its sound was shrill and unpleasant. A barber from a family of musicians wanted to improve the pungi's tonal quality. He played the improved instrument before royalty and everyone was impressed. A new name was required for the instrument. As the story goes, the instrument has been called as 'shehnai' because it was first played in the Shah’s chambers and was played by a nai (barber).

The Shehnai's sound began to be regarded as auspicious. And this is why it is still played in the temples and is an integral part of any North Indian marriage. The shehnai had previously been part of the naubat or traditional ensemble of nine instruments in royal courts. The credit for bringing this instrument onto the classical stage goes to Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Bismillah belongs to a well-known family of musicians from Bihar. His grandfather, father and other paternal ancestors were also great shehnai players.

Bismillah began to accompany his uncle Ali Bux and gradually started to learn how to play the instrument and sat down to practise it all day long. The flowing waters of the Ganga inspired him to put together and produce ragas, formerly considered beyond the range of the shehnai.

Bismillah’s first break came in 1938 when the All India Radio was opened in Lucknow. He soon became a regular-heard shehnai player on the radio. Bismillah Khan was the first Indian to greet the nation with his Shehnai when India achieved independence on August 15, 1947. 

After hearing him play at a festival, film director Vijay Bhatt was so impressed that he named a film after the instrument called ‘Gunj Uthi Shehnai.’

Bismillah Khan is the first Indian to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Centre Hall in the USA. National Awards such as the Padmashri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan were awarded to him.
The highest civilian award in India, the Bharat Ratna, was awarded to Ustad Bismillah Khan in 2001. He was immensely fond of Benaras and Dumraon and they remained the most magnificent cities in the world for him. In America, he also declined a position saying that he could not find the Ganga there. His heart kept paining for his homeland every time he travelled abroad.
The Sound of Music

WORD MEANINGS: 

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Generic name – a name given to a class or a group as a whole.

Revived – to get back to life or to use.

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Auspicious – promising to bring good fortune.

Indispensable – something that is an important part of anything.

Ensemble – a group of things.

Paternal ancestors – ancestors of the father.

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Accompanying – to go together or be together.

Haunts – places visited more often.

Improvise – To do a thing in a new and in a different way.

Souvenirs – things given in the memory of something.

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Chartbuster – record-breaker.

Celluloid – the world of cinema.

Ventures – a risky task.

Artificiality – that involves artificial things.

Coveted – much desired.

Glinting – shining.

Exceedingly – beyond the limits.

Yearning – keep on dying for.

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Devout – strong believer of a religion.

Prolonged – that lasts longer.

The Sound of Music

I. Choose the correct answer

1. The (shehnai, pungi) was a ‘reeded noisemaker’.

Answer: The pungi was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’

2. (Bismillah Khan, a barber, Ali Bux) transformed the pungi into a shehnai.

Answer: A barber transformed the pungi into a shehnai.

3. Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were (barbers, professional musicians).

Answer: Bismillah Khan’s ancestors were professional musicians.

4. Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from (Ali Bux, Paigambar Bux, Ustad Faiyaaz Khan).

Answer: Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from Ali Bux.

5. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, USA, Canada).

Answer: Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to Afghanistan.

II. Find the words in the text which show Ustad bismillah Khan’s feelings about the items listed below;

1. Teaching children music.    Positive.

2. The film world.    Negative.

3. Migrating to the USA.  Negative.

4. Playing at temples.   Positive.

5. Getting the Bharat Ratna.  Positive

6. The banks of the Ganga.  Positive.

7. Leaving Benaras and Dumraon.  Negative.

III.

1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?

Answer: The playing of the pungi was banned by the emperor Aurangzeb because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound. It became the generic name for reeded noisemakers.

2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?

Answer: Unlike the pungi, shehnai is a longer and wider pipe with a natural hollow stem. There are also seven holes on its body. It creates sweet and melodious sounds when it is played by closing and opening some of the holes.

pungi

shehnai

Class 9 English Solution

3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?

Answer: The shehnai was traditionally played in royal courts, temples and marriages. Bismillah Khan modified this by improvising and creating ragas that were traditionally considered to be beyond the range of the shehnai.

4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?

Answer: With the opening of the All India Radio in 1938 in Lucknow, Bismillah Khan got his big break. He soon became an often-heard shehnai player on the radio.

5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15^th August 1947? Why was the event historic?

Answer: Bismillah Khan played the shehnai from the Red Fort On 15th August 1947. It was a historic day as India became independent on that day. He became the first Indian to greet the independent nation with his shehnai.

The Sound of Music

6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the USA?

Answer: The student of Bismillah Khan had asked him to head a music school in the USA, but he refused because he could not live outside India. The student promised to replicate the temples in the city to recreate the atmosphere of Benaras. To this, Bismillah Khan wanted to know if his student would be able to transport the river Ganga.

7. Find al least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.

Answer: The first instance is when the offer of his student to start a shehnai school in the USA was turned down. The second instance is when he was asked why he did not shift to Pakistan during partition. He said that he would never leave Benaras.
Class 9 English Solution

Thinking about language: 

Look at these sentences:

• Evelyn was determined to live a normal life.
• Evelyn managed to conceal her growing deafness from her friends and teachers.

The italicised parts answer the questions: "What was Evelyn determined to do?" and "What did Evelyn manage to do?" They begin with a to-verb (to live, to conceal)

I. Complete the following sentences. Beginning with a to-verb, try to answer the questions in brackets.

1. The school sports team hopes ...... (What does it hope to do?)

Answer: The school sports team hopes to win the tournament.

2. We all want ...... (What do we all want to do?)

Answer: We all want to succeed.

3. They advised the hearing-impaired child's mother ........ (What did they advise her to do?)

Answer: They advised the hearing-impaired child's mother to show her to a specialist.

4. The authorities permitted us to .......... (What did the authorities permit us to do?)

Answer: The authorities permitted us to play.

5. A musician decided to ........ (What did the musician decide to do?)

Answer: A musician decided to play a new raaga.
Class 9 English Solution

II. From the text of Bismillah khan, find the words and phrases that match these definitions and write them down.
1. The home of royal people.

Answer: royal residence.

2. The state of being alone.

Answer: to be solitude.

3. A part which is absolutely necessary.

Answer: an indispensable component.

4. To do something not done before.

Answer: improvise.

5. Without much effort.

Answer: effortlessly.

6. Quickly and in large quantities.

Answer: thick and fast.
The Sound of Music

III. Choose the right answer.
1. When something is revived, it (remains dead/lives again).

Answer: lives again.

2. When a government bans something, it wants it (stopped/started).

Answer: stopped.

3. When something is considered auspicious, (welcome it/avoid it).

Answer: welcome it.

4. When we take to something we find it (boring/interesting).

Answer: interesting.

5. When you appreciate something, you (find it good and useful/find it of no use).

Answer: find it good and useful.

6. When you replicate something, you do it (for the first time/for the second time).

Answer: for the second time.

7. When we come to terms with something, it is (still upsetting/no longer upsetting).

Answer: no longer upsetting.

8. “If you work hard and know where you’re going, you’ll get there,” says Evelyn Glennie.

You have now read about two musicians, Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan. Do you think that they both worked hard? Where did they want to go? Answer these questions in two paragraphs, one on each of the two musicians.

Answer: Both worked hard to achieve their goals. Evelyn Glennie was totally deaf but never gave up. In addition to trying to live a normal life, she was eager to follow her passion for music. In 1991, she won the prestigious Soloist of the Year Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society. She had, by this time, achieved more than most people twice her age.

Bismillah Khan had the advantage of belongings to a well-known family of musicians from Bihar. He started getting lessons in playing the shehnai at a very young age and would practise all day long. For many years he had been able to practise alone without disturbances at the temple of Balaji and Mangala Maiya, and at the banks of the Ganga river. He reached the top when he was awarded the Bharat Ratna award in 2001.

9. Why had Aurangzeb banned the pungi? Who revived it and how?

Answer: Aurangzeb had banned the pungi because of its shrill and unpleasant sound. A barber from a talented musicians' family revived it by making multiple holes on its body, thus creating a melodious sound out of it.

10. Where did the shehnai get its due place and why?

Answer: Within the temples and weddings, Shehnai got its due place as it was regarded as auspicious. It had a place in the traditional ensemble of nine musical instruments at the royal courts. It is an indispensable part of north Indian weddings.

11. Mention the event that used to take place regularly when Bismillah was five years old.

Answer: At five Bismillah Khan would frequently go to the nearby Bihari Ji temple to sing the Bhojpuri ‘Chaita’. At the end of this, a big laddu, weighing 1.25 kg, used to be given to him by the local Maharaja as a prize.

12. Describe the family members of Bismillah Khan.

Answer: Bismillah Khan's family members were prominent musicians. His grandfather was at the court of Bhojpur’s king. His father was also a great shehnai player. Even the members of his family on the maternal side were also musicians.

Class 9 English Solution

13. How did Bismillah get the first lesson in the playing of shehnai?

Answer: Bismillah received his first lesson in playing shehnai by accompanying his maternal uncle Ali Bux, who visited the Vishnu temple at Benaras to play the shehnai.

14. What did ustad Faiyaz Khan say about Bismillah?

Answer: Bismillah Khan went to the Allahabad Music Conference to perform. After his recital, he was complimented by Ustad Faiyaz Khan who came to him and patted his back. Faiyaz Khan added that if Bismillah worked hard he would make it.

15. Where was Bismillah's first journey abroad? What impact did it leave there?

Answer: Bismillah’s first journey abroad was to Afghanistan, where the king of Afghanistan was impressed to the extent that he gifted him many precious Persian carpets and other souvenirs. There he got his reputation and fame.

16. Despite being successful, why did Bismillah not take to the celluloid world?

Answer: Bismillah did not take to the celluloid world despite his success because he could not cope with its glamour and the artificiality. He believed in simplicity and was living with the highest level of thought.

17. What did bismillah say after getting the Bharat Ratna award?

Answer: Bismillah, after receiving the Bharat Ratna, said that Indians should value and teach their music to their children. Indian music is so rich that the West is now learning this art. 

18. Which were the most beautiful towns for Bismillah Khan? Why was it so?

Answer: Benaras and Dumraon were the most beautiful towns for Bismillah Khan. These were beautiful because he loved India and never wanted to leave it. He learnt music at the bank of the Ganga in Benaras.

19. Why did Bismillah refuse to head the shehnai school in the USA?

Answer: Bismillah declined to head te shehnai school in the USA because there would be no Benaras and the river Ganga. He loved his own country and never wanted to leave it.

20. Why and how was Bismillah a perfect example of India’s cultural heritage?

Answer: Bismillah was a great example of India’s cultural heritage as he was a symbol of secularism; despite being a Muslim, he played shehnai at the temples. He reflected India’s core principle ‘Unity in Diversity.’

Class 9 English Solution

21. Where did the barber play the new instrument (shehnai) the first time?

Answer: The barber played the new instrument (shehnai) in the Shahjahan’s chamber.

22. What was the Shehnai a part of?

Answer: The shehnai was a part of the naubat or traditional ensembles.

23. Why did Bismillah go to the Bihariji temple?

Answer: Usually, Bismillah Khan went to the temple of Bihariji to sing the Bhojpuri ‘Chaita’.

24. What is the highest civilian award in India?

Answer: The highest civilian award in India is the Bharat Ratna.

25. When was Bismillah Khan born?

Answer: Bismillah Khan was born on March 21, 1916.

26. Where was Bismillah Khan born?

Answer: Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon in Bihar.

27. Which film was made by Vijay Matt after hearing Bismillah’s Shehnai?

Answer: Vijay Bhatt made the film 'Gunj Uthi Shehnai' after hearing Bismillah's shehnai.

28. By What name is Bismillah Khan fondly called?

Answer: Bismillah Khan is fondly called by the name 'Khansaab'.

29. Which family did Bismillah Khan belong?

Answer: Bismillah Khan belonged to a famous family of musicians in Bihar.

30. What is the name of Bismillah Khan’s father?

Answer: The name of Bismillah Khan's father is Paigambar Bux.

31. What was the name of Bismillah Khan's grandfather? What was his Profession?

Answer: The name of Bismillah Khan's grandfather was Rasool Bux Khan. He was the Shehnai-Nawaz of the Bhojpur King’s Court.

32. Where did Bismillah Khan perform in the USA?

Answer: Bismillah khan performed at the prestigious Lincoln Center Hall in the USA.

33. What honour did Bismillah receive in Teheran?

Answer: In Tehran, Bismillah Khan was greatly honoured. An auditorium in Teheran was named after him - Tahar Mosiquee Ustaad Bismillah Khan.

34. Where was the Cannes Art Festival held?

Answer: The Cannes Art Festival was held in Montreal.

35. Why, do you think, the shehnai was used only in temples and weddings?

Answer: Shehnai was used to be played only in temples and weddings because its sound was quite melodious and considered to be auspicious.

36. Who was Ustad Bismillah Khan?

Answer: Ustad Bismillah Khan was the well-known shehnai player, who contributed to the promotion of shehnai as an important musical instrument.

The Sound Of Music

37. What kind of impact did the waters of the Ganga have on Bismillah?

Answer: The water of the river Ganga encouraged him to make the old raagas better and to create new ones for the shehnai.

38. How did Bismillah extend the range of the shehnai?

Answer: There were some raagas or musical notes considered to be outside the range of the shehnai. Bismillah Khan invented and played new raagas on the shehnai and extended its range.

39. On which occasion did Bismillah Khan play Raag Kafi for the audience?

Answer: On the occasion India's independence on August 15, 1947, Bismillah Khan played Raag Kafi for the audience.

40. Explain the expression: “He poured his heart out.”

Answer: The expression indicates that music on the shehnai emerged from the depths Bismillah Khan's heart, who, as a true nationalist, was excited for India's declaration of independence.

41. Who was Ali Bux? Where was he employed and what was his influence on Bismillah Khan?

Answer: Ali Bux was Bismillah Khan's maternal uncle and could be considered a mentor and teacher. He was a great shehnai player and was involved with the shehnai playing in Benaras' Vishnu temple. Bismillah Khan started playing the shehnai with him when he was very young. The young boy would sit and listen to his uncle for hours and practise the entire day afterwards.

42. How was Bismillah Khan’s music appreciated and recognised on the international level?

Answer: Bismillah Khan’s music was so much loved and appreciated that he became the first Indian to be invited to perform in the prestigious Lincoln Central Hall, USA. He participated in the World Exposition in Montreal, the Cannes Art Festival and the Osaka Trade Fair. In Teheran, an auditorium was named after him.

43. Write a note on the life and achievements of Bismillah Khan as a ‘shehnai vaadak’. What values of life do you derive from his story?

Answer: The journey of Bismillah Khan as a ‘shehnai vaadak’ carries with itself profound moral values of dedication, simplicity and nationalism. It started at the age of three and went on until the age of ninety. The journey ranged from the temples to get international fame.

Bismillah Khan inherited an interest in the shehnai, hailing from a family of musicians. He began accompanying his maternal Uncle Ali Bux to the temple of Vishnu in Benaras and learnt a lot from him.

Bismillah Khan had a big break when he started playing for the All India Radio, Lucknow in 1938. He was so respected for the music that he was invited on 15 August 1947 to perform at the historic moment of Indian independence. He was awarded the highest awards in India – the Padmashri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan, in appreciation of his talent. In 2001, he received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. Bismillah Khan went to the world of film but left it because he found it too fake and glamorous. International, with his shehnai music, he fascinated the King of Afghanistan. He was the only Indian invited in the Lincoln Central Hall, USA to play shehnai. Besides, he performed in international events such as the World Exposition, Montreal, the Cannes Art Festival and the Osaka Trade Fair.  The government of Tehran named an auditorium after Bismillah Khan as a token of appreciation. 

Bismillah Khan had a strong devotion to his motherland and was proud of its musical heritage. He, therefore, refused the offer to settle down abroad. His experience teaches the ideals of devotion to one’s talent and perseverance in achieving the greatest heights of excellence.

44. “Music has no religion.” How did Bismillah Khan’s Shehani prove it?

Answer: Music is the voice of the soul. It is eternal and inspires everybody. A musician never plays music for any particular religion. Bismillah Khan played shehnai in temples, who belonged to the Muslim community. He was deeply attached to the holy city of Benaras and the holy river Ganga. The river Ganga and its flowing water were the main source of inspiration for him. He never thought he would leave Benaras and the holy Ganga river. he had been fond of music since his youth. He visited the Balaji temple in Dumraon to chant Bhojpuri 'chaita' when he was five years old. Benaras and Ganga were so highly influential in his passion for music that once a student from the USA wanted him to head a Shehnai school there. He promised to recreate the atmosphere of Benaras in the USA by replicating the temple. But Bismillah Khan declined to say that he couldn’t take the Ganga there.

The Sound Of Music