Lesson 2
THE SHEHNAI OF BISMILLAH KHAN
Short Question 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 (his father, Ali Bux, Rasool Bux Khan).
Answer: Ali Bux
5. Bismillah Khan's first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, the U.S.A., Canada).
Answer: Afghanistan
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. Discuss your answers in class.
| Bismillah Khan’s feelings about | 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?
Answer: Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi in the royal residence because it produced a shrill and unpleasant sound. He considered its harsh noise unsuitable for the royal court.
2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Answer: The shehnai is longer and broader than the pungi and has seven holes along its body. By opening and closing these holes, a musician can produce soft and melodious notes, unlike the pungi’s shrill sound.
3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
Answer: Traditionally, the shehnai was played in temples, at weddings and as part of the naubat in royal courts. Bismillah Khan brought it onto the classical concert stage and gave it an important place in Indian classical music.
4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Answer: Bismillah Khan got his big break in 1938 when All India Radio opened in Lucknow. He became a regular shehnai performer on the radio and soon gained wide recognition throughout India.
5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Answer: Bismillah Khan played the shehnai at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947. The occasion was historic because India became independent that day, and his music became part of the celebration of the nation’s freedom.
6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Answer: Bismillah Khan refused because he could not imagine living away from India. He was deeply attached to Benaras and the River Ganga and felt that their atmosphere and inspiration could not be recreated in the U.S.A.
7. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.
Answer: Bismillah Khan refused to settle in the U.S.A. because he could not leave Benaras and the Ganga. He also repeatedly expressed his deep attachment to Benaras, Dumraon and India, even when opportunities abroad were available to him.
Short Question 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 (his father, Ali Bux, Rasool Bux Khan).
Answer: Ali Bux
5. Bismillah Khan's first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, the U.S.A., Canada).
Answer: Afghanistan
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
III. Answer these questions in 30-40 words.
1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Answer: Aurangzeb banned the pungi because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound. It was considered a "reeded noisemaker" and was not suitable for royal settings.
2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Answer: The shehnai is longer and broader than the pungi, with seven holes along its body. It produces soft, melodious sounds when played, unlike the pungi's shrill noise.
3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
Answer: Traditionally, the shehnai was played in temples, weddings, and royal courts. Bismillah Khan brought the shehnai onto the classical music stage, elevating it to a respected instrument in Indian classical music.
4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Answer: Bismillah Khan's big break came in 1938 with the opening of All India Radio in Lucknow, where he became a regular shehnai player, gaining widespread recognition for his talent.
5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Answer: Bismillah Khan played the shehnai at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947 during India's Independence Day celebration. It was historic because it marked India's freedom, and his performance preceded Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's "Tryst with Destiny" speech.
6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Answer: Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he could not live without the cultural atmosphere of Benaras and the River Ganga, which he felt could not be recreated abroad.
7. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Benaras.
Answer: Bismillah Khan fondly expresses his love for Benaras, stating, "While in Mumbai, I think of only Benaras and the holy Ganga."
He refused to move to Pakistan during Partition, stating, "Me, leave Benaras? Never!" which shows his deep attachment to the city.
Too many questions and answers
1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Ans. Ron Forbes, a percussionist, recognized Evelyn’s potential and helped her by tuning two large drums to different notes. He asked her to feel the music through vibrations instead of hearing it. Evelyn soon learned to sense sound through her body.
2. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.
Ans. Evelyn performs in concerts worldwide and is highly sought after. She also performs in prisons and hospitals, giving free concerts. She prioritizes teaching young musicians, especially inspiring deaf children to pursue music like she did.
3. How does Evelyn hear music?
Ans. Evelyn Glennie lost her hearing at a young age but refused to let that stop her from pursuing music. Her teacher, Ron Forbes, taught her to sense music through vibrations rather than just listening with her ears. By feeling the vibrations of the music, Evelyn could "hear" it in different parts of her body. For example, she sensed higher notes in the upper part of her body and lower notes in her legs and feet.
As she practiced, Evelyn learned to rely on these vibrations, allowing her to play instruments with remarkable precision. When playing the xylophone, she could feel the sound travel through the mallets to her fingertips. When performing barefoot, she used the vibrations of the music passing through the floor to her feet. This ability made her an extraordinary musician, able to connect with music in a unique and profound way.
4. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Answer: Aurangzeb banned the pungi in his royal residence because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound.
5. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Answer: The shehnai is made from a longer and broader hollow pipe with seven holes, producing a melodious and pleasant sound, unlike the pungi which has a sharp and unpleasant tone.
6. Where was the shehnai traditionally played? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
Answer: Traditionally, the shehnai was played in temples and weddings and was part of the naubat in royal courts. Bismillah Khan brought the shehnai onto the classical music stage, transforming it into a respected classical instrument.
7. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Answer: Bismillah Khan's big break came in 1938 with the opening of All India Radio in Lucknow. He became a regular performer on the station, which made him a household name in India.
8. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Answer: Bismillah Khan played the shehnai at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947, marking India’s first Independence Day. The event was historic as it was the first time India celebrated its freedom, and his music followed Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech.
9. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Answer: Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he couldn’t imagine living away from India, especially Benaras and the Ganga, which he deeply loved.
10. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loved India and Benaras.
Answer: One instance is when Bismillah Khan refused to settle in the U.S.A. despite being offered to recreate Benaras there because he could not bear being away from the Ganga. Another instance is when he expressed that, while abroad, he constantly longed for India and its cultural richness, especially Benaras.
