Character Sketches: The Sound of Music | English Class 9 PDF Download

Part I - Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

Evelyn Glennie was a girl who loved music but slowly lost her hearing. Her hearing loss was first noticed at age 8 and confirmed by age 11. Despite this challenge, she followed her passion and attended the Royal Academy of Music. She learned to open her mind and body to sounds and vibrations, becoming a skilled percussionist with the help of her mentor, Ron Forbes. Evelyn achieved remarkable success, winning the Royal Philharmonic Society's Soloist of the Year Award and inspiring many, especially deaf children. She performed around the world, in places like prisons and hospitals, and contributed back by mentoring others. Her journey illustrates that determination and passion can lead to incredible accomplishments, encouraging people to believe in their dreams.

Character 1: Evelyn Glennie

Evelyn Glennie

(a) Character Traits: Determination, self-belief, dedication, courage, confidence.

(b) Role: Evelyn Glennie is the main character of the story. Despite losing her hearing at a young age, she refuses to let her disability define her. Rather than attending a school for the deaf, she chooses to live a normal life and chase her love for music. Her determination allows her to develop a unique ability to feel and play music through physical sensations on her body.

(c) Learning: She learns to sense musical notes through her skin, hair, fingers, and feet. With unwavering confidence, she pursues admission to the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she excels and earns recognition as a percussionist. She inspires those facing disabilities, as many look to her and say, 'If she can do it, I can.'

Character 2: Ron Forbes

Ron Forbes(a) Character Traits: Mentorship, encouragement, supportive, knowledgeable.

(b) Role:  Ron Forbes is a vital mentor for Evelyn. He recognised her potential and began by tuning two large drums to different notes. He encouraged her to adjust and become sensitive to musical sounds using various parts of her body. He advised, “Don't listen through your ears, try to sense it some other way.” Evelyn recalled, “Suddenly I realised I could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower one from the waist down.” His actions and belief in her abilities built her confidence and shaped her musical path. Ron Forbes's role shows how important supportive mentors are in nurturing talent and helping people overcome challenges.

(c) These characters together illustrate the narrative of Evelyn Glennie's journey from adversity to achievement, emphasising the transformative power of determination, support, and resilience in the face of challenges.

Part II - The Shennai of Bismillah Khan

Ustad Bismillah Khan was a renowned shehnai player from Bihar, born on 21 March 1916 into a respected family of musicians. At the age of three, he moved to his maternal uncle's home in Benaras, where he was captivated by watching his uncles play the shehnai. His career began to flourish with radio broadcasts, and he became the first Indian to greet the nation with his shehnai on 15 August 1947 from the Red Fort. Khan performed worldwide and received many awards, including national honours like the Padmashri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. In 2001, he was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. Despite invitations to perform abroad, he expressed, 'While in Mumbai, I think of only Benaras and the holy Ganga. And while in Benaras, I miss the unique mattha of Dumraon,' always advocating for Indian music and culture.

Character 1: Bismillah Khan

Bismillah Khan(a) Character Traits: Great musician, devout patriot, liberal human being, passionate about his art and heritage.

(b) Role: Bismillah Khan is the central figure and protagonist of the narrative. He is portrayed as a legendary musician who mastered the shehnai, a traditional Indian wind instrument. 

• Born into a family of musicians, he inherited a deep-rooted love for music and diligently practised from a young age. 
• His contributions to shehnai music include improvising ragas and harmonising them with the natural sounds of the Ganga river, showcasing his innovative approach to traditional music. 
• Bismillah Khan's fame extends globally through his performances at international conferences, concerts, and prestigious venues like the Red Fort on India's Independence Day. 
• He received numerous awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, for his exceptional contributions to music and culture. 
• Beyond his musical prowess, Bismillah Khan is celebrated for his patriotism, demonstrated by his refusal to settle abroad despite opportunities, and his profound respect for India's cultural heritage. 
• He exemplifies a liberal human spirit by embracing and respecting all religions, evidenced by his daily performances at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Benaras despite being a devout Muslim. 
• Overall, Bismillah Khan emerges as a cultural icon whose legacy transcends borders, leaving a lasting impact on Indian classical music and global appreciation of its richness.

Other Characters

(a) Family of Musicians: Bismillah Khan came from a famous musical family in Bihar. His grandfather, Rasool Bux Khan, played the shehnai at the Bhojpur king's court. His father, Paigambar Bux, along with other family members, was also a renowned shehnai musician, which laid the groundwork for his musical training.

(b) Students and Admirers: Individuals who admired Bismillah Khan's music and offered him opportunities, such as performing internationally and suggesting he settle in the USA.

(c) Audiences and International Communities: People worldwide who appreciated and honoured Bismillah Khan's talent, leading to invitations to perform at various prestigious events and venues globally.

(d) Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Represents the religious and cultural context where Bismillah Khan performed daily, showcasing his respect for different faiths and traditions.