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

Q.1. How does Evelyn hear music?
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Evelyn Glennie’s deafness was more than compensated by other parts of her body so far as the music was concerned. Discuss.
Ans. Evelyn Glennie had a deep passion for music but unfortunately, she lost her hearing completely at the age of eleven years. She wanted to lead a normal life and play the xylophone, but her teachers discouraged her considering her deafness to be an obstruction. However, Ron Forbes, a great percussionist, trained her to listen to the musical sounds and vibrations not through ears, but through other parts of her body. He created two drums with different sounds to make her hear the higher beats from the upper part of her body and the lower beats from the parts lower than her waist. The experiment was so effective that Evelyn opened her mind and body to the fine sounds of music.
Evelyn now believes that music penetrates into her through every part – through her skin, cheekbones and even her hair. When she plays the xylophone, she feels that the sounds move from the stick into the tips of her fingers. When the drums are played, she can feel the resonant sounds pouring into her body. She takes off her footwear on a wooden stage and the vibrations of the instruments pass from her bare feet into her legs. Thus, Evelyn has sensitized the different parts of her body to the different sounds of music.

Q.2. If you work hard and know where you are going, you’ll get there,” remarks Evelyn Glennie. What does it reveal about her character?
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Which traits of Evelyn’s personality enabled her to overcome the challenge of deafness?
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Which values of life strengthened Evelyn against the handicap of her deafness? What does her career teach to the handicapped people?
Ans. Evelyn’s firm determination, her industrious nature and her clarity of aim are well revealed in her statement. These values of her character have enabled her to overcome her handicap of deafness very bravely. Although she developed hearing impairment at a young age of eight only, she has never let it become a stumbling block 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 and she stuck to the path with unstaggering confidence. It was this confidence and faith in herself that made her dare to audition for the Royal Academy of Music, London where she received the topmost awards.
Evelyn is a workaholic. This helped her to toil hard, in fact much harder than the classical musicians to bring percussion to the front stage in the orchestra. She believes that no goal is unachievable for those who work hard and are focused on the goal. With her earnest efforts, she moved from orchestra to solo performances and eventually became an internationally renowned 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 sincere efforts, her passionate labour, and her untiring devotion to music are a source of inspiration for the people with challenges.

Q.3. Suppose you are Ron Forbes. You have come to know that Evelyn Glennie has been awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious ‘Soloist of the Year Award’. Write a letter to Evelyn in about 150 words.  

(Address)
(Date)
Dear Evelyn
Please accept my heartiest congratulations and blessings on being awarded the ‘Soloist of the Year Award’, the most prestigious award given by the Royal Philharmonic Society. It is really a proud moment and I am overwhelmed with pleasure at your enviable achievement. It is really gratifying to see you scaling new heights day after day.
Evelyn, your sincerest efforts and unfaltering passion for music have resulted in your grand achievements. I remember the day you responded so well to the drums I made for you and since then you have never looked back. You have proved to the world that no dream is too big if one has the mental courage and firm determination to overcome the obstructions. You have trampled down your handicap and moved on ceaselessly with your unfaltering faith in yourself. You are really ideal for handicapped people.
I wish you good luck and pray that you may achieve the highest glory in life. I send you blessings from the core of my heart. May the almighty keep in you the flame of energy and enthusiasm burning bright!
With deep affection
Ron Forbes

Q.4. Suppose you are Evelyn Glennie. The doctor has diagnosed that your hearing is completely lost. Write a diary entry in about 150 words about how you feel and what you plan to do.

(Day and Date)
Dear Diary
(Time)
Today is a very sad day in my life. The doctor has told me that I can no longer hear because my hearing is completely impaired owing to some nerve damage. The headmistress and teachers at my school have advised me to use hearing aids and join a school for the deaf. It is a real agony to think that I am not among the normal, able children.
I understand that I’ll have to depend on hearing aids, but I have decided not to give in to my handicap. I know a number of people who have risen to great heights despite their disabilities. I have never forgotten about the life and achievements of Helen Keller. I will continue to pursue my passion for music and put in my best efforts to find a way to overcome the handicap. I know that all obstructions can be conquered by firm determination. Therefore, I’ll never ever accept defeat. I’ll prove that one can find ways to come out of problems if one adheres firmly to one’s aims and objectives.
I pray to the Almighty to strengthen my mind and give me moral courage so that I may make it to the Royal Academy of Music. The dream is much too lofty but not impossible to achieve. Amen!
Evelyn.

Q.5. Write a note on the origin of the Shehnai.
Ans. It is said that in the past, a musical instrument called the pungi used to be played in palaces before the Kings and Nawabs. However, Aurangzeb did not like the shrill and unpleasant sound of the pungi. As a result, he banned the playing of this musical instrument in the royal residence. There was a barber who belonged to a family of musicians, and he had access to the royal palace. He endeavored to improve the tonal quality of the instrument. He chose a pipe with a naturally hollow stem that was longer and broader than the original pungi. He carved seven holes on the body of the instrument. When he played it, an impressive and sonorous tonal sound was produced.

The barber played this improved instrument before the king and his courtiers, leaving everyone impressed. The instrument was called Shehnai because it was born in the Shah’s chamber and was invented by a ‘nai’ (barber). Another story about the origin of the Shehnai suggests that a doctor from Iran invented it. His name was Haquim Bu Ali Saina, and the instrument was named after him.

Q.6. What are the recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music and how did they originate?
Ans. At a young age, Bismillah Khan went to Benaras, where his maternal uncle, All Bux, taught him the nuances of the Shehnai. He used to practice in the temple of Balaji and Mangla Maiya, and also on the banks of the Ganga. He practiced for hours in complete solitude, drawing inspiration from the flowing waters of the Ganga to improvise his music. During this time, he invented 'ragas' that were earlier considered beyond the range of the Shehnai.

The atmosphere of the temple and the solitude of the Ganga's banks had a profound effect on him, influencing the themes of his music as well. Two recurring themes emerged from this influence. First was the ethos of the temple, which became one of his themes. The second theme revolved around the relationship between human beings, inspired by the melodic flow of the river. These themes became integral to Bismillah Khan’s musical expressions.

Q.7. Why is Benaras so important to Bismillah Khan?
Ans. Mr Bismillah Khan is fondly called Khansaab. He has travelled all over the world. He got honours in every country. In Tehran, an auditorium was named after him. He has seen many cities, but he remains very fond of Benaras and Dumraon. He calls them the most wonderful towns in the world. He has a special fascination for Benaras because of the Ganga there. In his youth, he used to practice Shehnai in solitude on the banks of the Ganga. Once one of his students in the USA requested him to head a Shehnai school there. He said that he would recreate the atmosphere of Benaras by building similar temples there. But the Ustad asked him whether he would bring the Ganga also there. Once he said, “Whenever I am in Mumbai, I think of only Varanasi and the holy Ganga”.

Q.8. 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?
Ans. 

Bismillah Khan's life as a 'shehnai vaadak' embodies moral values of dedication, simplicity, and patriotism. His journey commenced at age three, spanning till ninety, from playing in temples to gaining global fame. Born into a family of musicians, he nurtured a shehnai interest. At three, he joined Uncle Ali Bux to learn at a Vishnu temple, singing scriptures like 'Bhojpuri chaita.'

Significantly, Bismillah Khan's break came with All India Radio, Lucknow, in 1938. Admired music led him to perform during India's 1947 independence. Recognized, he earned Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and the Bharat Ratna in 2001. Film forays faded, seeming artificial. Internationally, he enthralled Afghanistan's King and played at the Lincoln Central Hall, USA. Cannes, Montreal's expos, and Osaka's fair saw his performances, an auditorium in Teheran honors him.

Deeply devoted to India, Bismillah Khan declined settling abroad, cherishing its musical heritage. His journey imparts values of dedication, persistent pursuit of excellence.

Q.9. How does the author of The Sound of Music” portray Bismillah Khan as a great patriot?
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Bismillah Khan, on receiving the Bharat Ratna, remarked, “Teach your children music, this is Hindustan’s richest tradition; even the West is now coming to learn our music.” What does it reveal about his sentiments towards India?
Ans. Bismillah Khan, in “The Sound of Music”, emerged as a person imbued with intense and strong patriotic emotions. He had a profound and passionate love for his birthplace, Dumraon in Bihar and for Benaras where he took training to play the shehnai. He feels a deep bond with the Ganga because the flowing waters of the holy river made him improvise and spontaneously play new raagas – the ones which were earlier regarded to be beyond the range of the shehnai. Such was Bismillah Khan’s love for his country and the Ganga that he refused to settle down in America to head a-school for the shehnai. His strong attachment with the sacred river made him miss Benaras when he was in Mumbai or elsewhere. Equally strong was his bonding with his birthplace Dumraon.
Bismillah Khan had great regard for the Hindustani music which, for him, is the richest cultural heritage of India. He wanted the tradition of Indian music to be carried on from generation to generation. That is why he advised the people of India to teach music to their children and felt proud that this music fascinated even the people of the west.

Q.10. You have now read about two musicians, Evelyn Glennie, and Ustad Bismillah Khan. Do you think that they both worked hard? Where did they want to go?
Or
Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan shared the values of hard work and perseverance. Discuss.
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What important lesson does the life of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan teach us?
Ans. Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan, the two eminent music maestros, through their achievements, have proved to the world that the values of hard work and unstaggering efforts are always rewarded. Evelyn Glennie became an internationally admired multi-percussionist only because of her untiring work which could conquer even her handicap. Instead of yielding to her deafness, she made all-out efforts to sense the sounds of music through different parts of her body and never looked back. With her persistent efforts, she made it to the Royal Academy of Music, London and bagged the most prestigious awards. Her sincere devotion to her art has given percussion a new place on the international stage.
Bismillah Khan, like Evelyn, was dedicated to his art and attained greatest heights as a ‘shehnai vaadak’. He too worked diligently and transformed the shehnai into a classical instrument. He added enormously to what he had inherited by widening the range of the shehnai. He invented many new raagas spontaneously. Starting with playing in the temples of Benaras and on the banks of Ganga, he reached the stage of international acclaim. His hard work enabled him to win the most prestigious awards in India and in the world.
Thus, the lives of both Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan are perfect examples of how dedicated efforts and persistent hard work lead to grand achievements.

Q.11. Write a note on some of the most memorable performances of Ustad Bismillah Khan as described in the feature “The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan”.
Ans. During his illustrious career spanning over 80 years, Bismillah Khan gave countless music performances, but few of them stand out as milestones in his career.
For example, his performance of the Bhojpuri ‘chaita’ at the Bihari ji temple at the age of five indicated the signs of a maestro he was to evolve into. For every recital, he would get a 1.25 kg laddu as a reward from the local king. At the age of 14, he was patted for his performance at the Allahabad Music Conference by Ustad Faiyaz Khan. In 1938, Bismillah Khan got perhaps the biggest break of his career when he got to perform on the All India Radio, Lucknow. Equally remarkable was the opportunity to usher in the Independence of the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 15th August 1947. His first foreign performance in Afghanistan got him rich accolades and honours. He also had the chance to provide music to two films – Vijay Bhatt’s “Gunj Uthi Shehnai” and Srinivas’s Kannada movie “Samadhi Apanna”. Then followed a string of international performances, notable among them being the performances at the prestigious Lincoln Centre Hall (USA), World Exposition (Montreal), Cannes Art Festival and Osaka Trade fair.

Q.12. “Music has no religion.” How did Bismillah Khan’s Shehani prove it?
Ans. Music is the voice of the soul. It is sacred beyond the religions. It is eternal and acts as a source of inspiration for everyone. A musician never plays music for any particular religion. Bismillah Khan who belonged to the Muslim community played Shehnai in temples. 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 could never think of leaving Benaras and holy river Ganga. Since his childhood, he was fond of music. As a five-year-old child, he used to visit Bihariji temple at Dumraon to sing Bhojpuri Chaita. His love for music was so deeply influenced by Benaras and Ganga that once a student from the USA wanted him to head a Shehnai school there. He promised him to recreate the atmosphere of Benaras in the USA by replicating the temple. But Bismillah Khan refused to say that he couldn’t take the Ganga there.

Q.13. Describe the life and character of Ustad Bismillah Khan with emphasis on values of his character you should imbibe.
Ans. Ustad Bismillah Khan was a great Shehnai player. He was born in a village of Bihar state. He belonged to a family of professional musicians. He made Shehnai a famous musical instrument in the world. The government of India gave him the greatest civilian award —” Bharat Ratna”. He was a true patriot. He never showed his desire to settle abroad when he was offered several chances. Bismillah had a great passion for Shehnai. He took lessons from his maternal uncle Ali Bux and practiced hard on the peaceful banks of the river Ganga.

Infact his life is motivating for students. He teaches them that human beings should give up narrow mindedness. They should take values from different religions.

Q.14. Why did Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi and how it was improved and called Shehnai?
Ans. Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi in the royal residence because of its shrill and unpleasant sound. However, a barber from a professional family of musicians was able to improve it. He chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was longer and broader than the pungi. He made seven holes on the body of the pipe and played the instrument before the king; everyone was impressed. Since it was first played in the Shah’s chambers and was played by an (barber), the instrument was named the ‘Shehnai’.

Q.15. How was Bismillah Khan associated with the film world?
Ans. Film director Vijay Bhatt heard Bismillah Khan at a festival. He was so much impressed by Bismillah Khan that he named a film after the instrument ‘Cu& Uthi Shehnai. The film was a huge hit. One of Bismillah Khan’s compositions “Di! Ka Valens film at Toot Gaya”, turned out to be very !popular: In spite of his great success in the world, Bismillah Khan’s film music was limited to two. Vijay Bhatt’a
`Gunj Uthi Shehnai’ and Vikram Srinivas’s `Samadhi Apanna’. But Bismillah made it clear that he could not come to terms with the artificiality and glamour of the film world.

Q.16. What important lesson does the life of Bismillah Khan teach us?
Ans. Bismillah Khan teaches us a very remarkable lesson of life. People make advancement in life by dint of hard work and devotion. He was very interested in music as he was born in the family of a musician. He used to sing Chaita in the Biharji temple. When he was in Benaras, he was greatly influenced by his maternal uncle, who was a great Shehnai player. He copied his uncle in the true spirit and practiced Shehnai in the peaceful environment of the Ganga. His hard work and devotion brought him good fruits. He was awarded the greatest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.