Grade 9 Exam  >  Grade 9 Notes  >  English Literature for Grade 9  >  Important Question Answers (Part-2) - The Sound of Music

Class 9 English Chapter 2 Important Question Answers - The Sound of Music

Short Answer Type Questions 

Ques.1. How did ‘pungi’ transform into a Shehnai?
Ans. ‘Pungi’ a musical instrument was banned because of its shrill and unpleasant sound. But a nai modified and perfected it and played it for the first time in a Shah’s chamber, thus it came to be known as ‘Shehnai’.
Ques.2. Who had brought shehnai to the classical Stage? What was he honoured with?
Ans. Shehnai was brought to the classical stage by Ustad Bismillah Khan. He started picking up the finger nuances of Shehnai under the guidance of his maternal uncle Ali Bux. He had been honoured with Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Padma Vibhushan.
Ques.3. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Ans. Bismillah Khan refused to start a Shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he could not live outside India. He was in love with Benares and Dumraon and missed it whenever he was abroad.
Ques.4. Why did emperor Aurangazeb ban the playing of Pungi in the royal residence?
Ans. Aurangazeb banned the playing of the Pungi in the royal residence because of its shrill unpleasant sound. It was regarded more like a noisemaker than a musical instrument.
Ques.5. What is the difference between a Pungi and a Shehnai? 
Ans. The difference between a Pungi and Shehnai can be noticed by the difference in their shapes and the sound produced by them. A Shehnai is longer than a Pungi. The latter has a shrill, unpleasant sound whereas the former has a soft, melodious sound.
Ques.6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a Shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Ans. Bismillah Khan refused to start a Shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he was a true patriot and loved India a lot especially the banks of the river Ganga.
Ques.7. How do we know that the sound of Shehnai is considered auspicious?
Ans. We know that the sound of the Shehnai is considered auspicious because it is played in temples, and is a must for all happy occasions like marriages.
Ques.8. What were the recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music? 
Ans. The recurring theme of Bismillah Khan’s music was the relationships between human beings and the flowing waters of the Ganga. He thought that Benares and Dumraon were the most wonderful towns in the world.
Ques.9. How did “Pungi” get its new name? What was it? 
Ans. Pungi was modified and perfected by a barber which was very much appreciated by the emperor. Since it was played for the first time in Shah’s chamber by a Nai, it came to be known as ‘Shehnai.’
Ques.10. What place did Shehnai have in the past? What place has it now? 
Ans. In the past, the Shehnai was a part of the traditional ensemble of nine instruments found at royal courts. Then, it was used in temples and weddings but now it is used also in classical concerts.
Ques.11. When and how did Bismillah Khan get the break? 
Ans. Bismillah Khan, at the age of 14, accompanied his uncle to Allahabad Music Conference where Ustad Fayaz Khan patted his shoulder. He got encouraged and worked hard and got a big break from All India Radio in 1938.
Ques.12. Where did Bismillah Khan play the Shehnai on 15th Aug 1947? Why was the event historic?
Ans. Bismillah Khan was the first Indian to greet the nation with Shehnai and played ‘Raag Kafi’ from the Red Fort. The event was historic because the audience included Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who gave the famous speech – Tryst with Destiny.
Ques.13. Why did Bismillah Khan regularly go to the nearby Bihariji temple in his childhood and what did he earn?
Ans. At the age of 5, Bismillah Khan would regularly visit the Bihariji temple to sing Bhojpuri “Chaitya” For the melodious singing he used to earn a laddu weighing 1.25 kg. from the local Bhojpuri King.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Ques.1. “There is always a teacher to bring out the latent potential of a pupil/’ Justify with reference to the role played by Ron Forbes and Ustad Faiyaz Khan in the lives of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan?
Ans. 
  • Teachers craft us to become better individuals both personally and professionally. Ron Forbes understood Evelyn’s passion for music. He taught Evelyn the nuances of hearing music not through her ears but through her body. He taught her to feel the vibrations in her hands and parts of her legs to get the pitch. So, he crafted her to be more musical and confident.
  • Bismillah Khan’s teacher and mentor was his maternal uncle Ali Bux. Bismillah used to be transfixed when Ali Bux used to play Shehnai. As a child, Bismillah used to accompany his material uncle to Vishnu Temple of Benares where Ali Bux was employed to play Shehnai. Bismillah picked up the finer nuances of Shehnai and practiced for hours on the banks of river Ganga. He attained perfection only because of his uncle and mentor.
Ques.2. Give a brief character sketch of Ustad Bismillah Khan?
Ans. 
  • Ustad Bismillah Khan was a Shehnai master of great national and international fame. He was a great musician. 
  • Ali Bux, his maternal uncle perfected him in music. Shehnai was brought to the classical stage by Ustad Bismillah Khan. He practiced for hours and worked very hard to attain perfection. 
  • It was his melodious music that made him the first Indian to greet tire independent India. Ustad Bismillah Khan created many new rags. He was given many awards and he even received the “Bharat Ratna”. 
  • He was a true patriot who declined many offers to settle abroad. He was a true artist but a simple man. He had great regard for Hindustani Classical Music.
Ques.3. How did the young Bismillah develop his interest in Shehnai?
Ans. 
  • Bismillah was fascinated by watching his uncle practice the Shehnai when he was only three. He was deeply fascinated by the music of Shehnai. 
  • Soon Bismillah started accompanying his uncle Ali Bux, to the Vishnu Temple of Benares where Bux was employed to play Shehnai. Bismillah picked up the finer nuances of Shehnai and practiced for hours on the banks of river Ganga. 
  • The themes of his music are deeply affected by the sounds of flowing water of the Ganga. At the age of 14, Bismillah accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad music conference where Ustad Fayaz Khan patted his shoulder which inspired and encouraged him to work harder.
Ques.4. How was Bismillah Khan’s music recognized internationally? 
Ans. 
  • Bismillah Khan was not only renowned in India also internationally. 
  • He promoted Shehnai to international levels of participating in the world exposition, Cannes Art Festival and Osaka Trade Fair. 
  • He became the first Indian to be invited to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Central Hall in the United States of America. 
  • So well known did he become internationally that an auditorium in Tehran was named after him, “Tahar Mosiquee Ustaad Bismillah Khan.”
Ques.5. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a Shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Ans. 
  • Bismillah Khan was exceedingly fond of Benares and Dumraon. They were the most wonderful towns of the world for him.
  • The students promised to recreate the atmosphere of Benares, but he asked if they would be able to transport River Ganga as well. Whenever he was in a foreign country he yearned for Hindustan.
  • In Mumbai also he thought of only Benares and the holy Ganga. Thus, he refused to start a Shehnai School in the U.S.A.

Value-Based Question

Ques.1. Do you think Bismillah Khan had very pure and deep feelings for India?
Ans. Yes, Bismillah Khan had very pure and deep-rooted feelings for India especially for the banks of River Ganga and Benares. His love was so profound that he even refused to go to the U.S.A. to start up a school He did not even enjoy in Mumbai as he found life to be very artificial. He was deeply connected to the banks of River Ganga and Benares.
The document Class 9 English Chapter 2 Important Question Answers - The Sound of Music is a part of the Grade 9 Course English Literature for Grade 9.
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FAQs on Class 9 English Chapter 2 Important Question Answers - The Sound of Music

1. What is the plot of the movie 'The Sound of Music'?
Ans. 'The Sound of Music' is a musical drama film released in 1965. The story revolves around a young woman named Maria, who becomes a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval captain, Georg Von Trapp. Maria brings music and joy to the household, and the children grow to love her. However, when the Nazis invade Austria, the Von Trapp family must flee the country. The film is based on the real-life story of the Von Trapp family.
2. Who are the main characters in 'The Sound of Music'?
Ans. The main characters in 'The Sound of Music' are Maria, played by Julie Andrews, and Georg Von Trapp, played by Christopher Plummer. The seven Von Trapp children are also important characters in the film: Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl.
3. How was the music in 'The Sound of Music' received by the audience?
Ans. The music in 'The Sound of Music' was well-received by the audience. The film's soundtrack includes classic songs like "Do-Re-Mi," "My Favorite Things," and "The Sound of Music." The soundtrack became a best-seller and won five Academy Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Original Song.
4. What is the historical context of 'The Sound of Music'?
Ans. 'The Sound of Music' is set in Austria during the 1930s and early 1940s. During this time, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany, and many Austrians resisted Nazi rule. The Von Trapp family in the film is based on a real family who fled Austria to escape Nazi persecution.
5. What is the message of 'The Sound of Music'?
Ans. 'The Sound of Music' promotes the values of family, music, and freedom. The film celebrates the power of music to uplift and inspire people, and it shows how a strong family bond can help people overcome adversity. The film also highlights the importance of standing up for one's beliefs and resisting tyranny, as the Von Trapp family does in their escape from Nazi-controlled Austria.
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