Introduction
'The Sound of Music' is an inspiring story of two renowned musicians, Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan, who defied the odds to achieve greatness in the world of music. The chapter presents how both these musicians overcame challenges and left a lasting impact on the global music scene.
Summary of Part 1 - Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It
This part of the chapter tells the story of Evelyn Glennie, a Scottish percussionist, who lost her hearing at the age of 11 due to nerve damage. Despite this, she pursued her passion for music with the help of her teacher Ron Forbes, who taught her to feel music through vibrations. Evelyn went on to become a world-renowned musician, mastering over 1,000 instruments and giving performances around the globe. Her story is one of determination, hard work, and resilience.
Summary of Part 2 - The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
This part of the chapter highlights the life of Ustad Bismillah Khan, a legendary Shehnai player from India. Born in a family of musicians, Bismillah Khan mastered the Shehnai and elevated its status by bringing it to the classical concert stage. He is best known for playing the Shehnai on the occasion of India's Independence in 1947. His love for India and music made him one of the most celebrated musicians in Indian history, earning him the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.
Summary in Hindi (200 words):
'संगीत की ध्वनि' अध्याय में दो प्रसिद्ध संगीतकारों, एवलिन ग्लेनी और उस्ताद बिस्मिल्लाह खान की प्रेरणादायक कहानियों को प्रस्तुत किया गया है। एवलिन ग्लेनी ने बहरेपन के बावजूद संगीत की दुनिया में सफलता पाई, जबकि बिस्मिल्लाह खान ने शहनाई को शास्त्रीय मंच पर स्थान दिलाया। दोनों संगीतकारों की कहानियाँ आत्मविश्वास, कड़ी मेहनत और संकल्प की मिसाल हैं।
Thinking about the Text: Page 20
I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.
1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?
Evelyn was seventeen years old when she went to the Royal Academy of Music.
2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?
Her deafness was first noticed when she was eight years old, and it was confirmed by the age of eleven.
II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30–40 words).
1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Ron Forbes, her percussion teacher, helped Evelyn continue with music. He encouraged her to feel the vibrations of music through different parts of her body, saying, "Don't listen through your ears, try to feel it some other way."
2. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.
Evelyn performs in regular concerts as well as charity events for hospitals and prisons. She also gives performances for schools, inspiring young children with her story.
III. Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).
1. How does Evelyn hear music?
Despite being profoundly deaf, Evelyn Glennie hears music through vibrations. She feels these vibrations through her body and her feet. Her heightened sense of touch allows her to differentiate the sound of instruments by feeling their vibrations in different parts of her body. For instance, she senses higher notes through her upper body and lower notes around her legs. Her deep understanding of music comes from her ability to feel and interpret these vibrations, allowing her to perform and appreciate music like any other musician with normal hearing.
Thinking about the Text: Page 25
I. Tick the right answer.
1. The (shehnai, pungi) was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’
Answer: pungi
2. (Bismillah Khan, A barber, Ali Bux) transformed the pungi into a shehnai.
Answer: A barber
3. Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were (barbers, professional musicians).
Answer: professional musicians
4. Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from (Ali Bux, Paigambar Bux, Ustad Faiyaaz Khan).
Answer: Ali Bux
5. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, U.S.A., Canada).
Answer: Afghanistan
II. Find the words in the text which show Ustad Bismillah Khan’s feelings about the items listed below. Then mark a tick (✔) in the correct column.
| Item | Positive | Negative | Neutral |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. teaching children music | ✔ | ||
| 2. the film world | ✔ | ||
| 3. migrating to the U.S.A. | ✔ | ||
| 4. playing at temples | ✔ | ||
| 5. getting the Bharat Ratna | ✔ | ||
| 6. the banks of the Ganga | ✔ | ||
| 7. leaving Benaras and Dumraon | ✔ |
III. Answer these questions in 30–40 words.
1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi because it had a shrill, unpleasant sound, and was considered unsuitable for formal performances.
2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
The shehnai is a refined version of the pungi. While the pungi is shrill and noisy, the shehnai produces a soft and melodious sound.
3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
The shehnai was traditionally played in temples and at weddings. Bismillah Khan brought it into classical music, performing it on concert stages worldwide.
4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Bismillah Khan’s big break came when he performed at the All India Radio in 1938. This performance brought him national recognition.
5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Bismillah Khan played the shehnai at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947, marking India's independence. The event was historic as it symbolized India's freedom.
6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he was deeply attached to India and couldn't imagine living outside his country.
7. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.
Bismillah Khan refused to live in the U.S.A. despite attractive offers and missed the Ganga whenever he was abroad, showing his deep love for India and Benaras.
I. Complete the following sentences.
1. The school sports team hopes ---- (What does it hope to do?)
The school sports team hopes to win the championship.
2. We all want ---- (What do we all want to do?)
We all want to succeed in life.
3. They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother ---- (What did they advise her to do?)
They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother to consult a specialist.
4. The authorities permitted us to ---- (What did the authorities permit us to do?)
The authorities permitted us to organize a cultural event.
5. A musician decided to ---- (What did the musician decide to do?)
A musician decided to compose a new symphony.
II. From the text on Bismillah Khan, find the words and phrases
1. the home of royal people (1) --
Answer: the royal court
2. the state of being alone (5) --
Answer: solitude
3. a part which is absolutely necessary (2) --
Answer: indispensable
4. to do something not done before (5) --
Answer: create history
5. without much effort (13) --
Answer: effortlessly
6. quickly and in large quantities (9) --- and ---
Answer: rapidly and abundantly
III. Tick 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
IV. Dictionary Work
• The sound of the shehnai is auspicious.
Explanation: Here, the adjective 'auspicious' means indicating success or a favorable outcome.
• The auspicious sound of the shehnai is usually heard at marriages.
Explanation: 'Auspicious' here again refers to something that is favorable or fortunate.
Use these words in phrases or sentences of your own:
- Indispensable: His guidance was indispensable for the success of the project.
- Impressed: She was deeply impressed by his talent.
- Afraid: The child was afraid of the dark.
- Outdoor: They enjoyed outdoor activities during the vacation.
- Paternal: His paternal instincts kicked in when he saw the lost child.
- Countless: There are countless stars in the sky.
- Priceless: The look on his face when he won was priceless.
I. Introduction of Kishori Amonkar
I am honoured to introduce one of India’s greatest classical vocalists, Padma Bhushan Kishori Amonkar, to our audience today.
Kishori Amonkar was born in 1931, the daughter of the legendary classical singer Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar. She was introduced to the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana style of music by her mother and her mother’s teacher, Ustad Alladiya Khan. Over time, Kishori Amonkar developed her unique style, which is considered a personalized variant of the traditional Jaipur gharana.
Kishori Amonkar is not only an extraordinary singer but also a deep thinker who explores the emotional and spiritual depths of raagas. She is inspired by the ancient Vedic teachings, which instilled in her a profound understanding of devotional music. Her intellectual approach to performing raagas has gained her immense respect and admiration across the globe.
Among her numerous accolades are the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1985, the Padma Bhushan in 1987, and the prestigious Sangeet Samradhini Award in 1997. Her contributions to Indian classical music are invaluable, and we are truly privileged to have her perform today.
We welcome you, Padma Bhushan Kishori Amonkar.
Writing: Comparing Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan
If you work hard and know where you’re going, you’ll get there. - Evelyn Glennie
Evelyn Glennie worked incredibly hard to overcome the challenge of her deafness to become one of the most renowned percussionists in the world. Despite losing her hearing by the age of twelve, she was determined to pursue her love for music. Through intense practice and with the help of her teacher, she learned to feel the vibrations of the instruments and play by sensing the music through her body. Evelyn wanted to prove that deafness did not define her, and she succeeded in her goal by becoming the first full-time solo percussionist in the world, performing across the globe and inspiring millions.
Ustad Bismillah Khan, on the other hand, dedicated his life to perfecting the art of playing the shehnai. Born into a family of musicians, his goal was to elevate the shehnai from a traditional ceremonial instrument to one of classical music. Through relentless practice and deep devotion, he took the shehnai to prestigious platforms, including performances at the Red Fort on India’s Independence Day in 1947. He received numerous awards, including the Bharat Ratna, and remained humble throughout his career, always staying true to his roots and his love for India.
