NCERT ENGLISH BOOK - BEEHIVE, PROSE - 2, THE SOUND OF MUSIC - THE SHEHNAI OF BISMILLAH KHAN

 

NCERT ENGLISH BOOK - BEEHIVE, PROSE- 2 THE SOUND OF MUSIC -  THE SHEHNAI OF BISMILLAH KHAN

THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Part – 2)

THE SHEHNAI OF BISMILLAH KHAN

                                                  

Name of the Characters:-

1. Ustad Bismillah Khan ( The main character, the story is based on)

2. Rasool Bux Khan  ( The Grandfather of Bismillah Khan)

3. Paigambar Bux Khan  ( The Father of Bismillah Khan)

4. Ustad Faiyaz Khan ( One of the leading musicians)

5. Ali Bux Khan ( The maternal Uncle of Bismillah Khan)

Summary:-

     The chapter, “The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan” is based on the invension of the musical instrument ‘Shehnai’ and Ustad Bismillah Khan who not only created the existence of the Shehnai but also made this instrument famous in whole the world. The Shehnai came to its existence after replacing another musical instrument named pungi, when the Emperor Aurangzeb banned this instrument because of its unpleasant sound and then one barber, as an experiment improved the tonal quality of the pungi by taking a pipe with a natural hollow stem, making some holes and finally by playing the new instrument. After realizing that a very pleasant sound comes from the instrument, he decided to play it in the court of the Emperor. Since it was played in a Shah’s chamber and by a barber (nai), it was named Shehnai and was accepted by everyone.

               Bismillah Khan had interest in music from his childhood and when he was sent to his maternal uncle Ali Bux in Benaras, he began to learn from him to play Shehnai. After a long practice he mastered in playing the Shehnai and after getting chance in All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938, he began to play in other different places. After India got freedom, Bismillah Khan was the very first person who greeted the country by playing Shehnai. In future, he got the chances to perform abroad as well like Afganistan, Lincoln centre hall, in world exposition in Montreal, in the Cannes Art festival and in the Osaka Trade Fair. He also received many awards and some national awards like the Padmashri, the Padma Bhusan, the Padma Vibhushan and finally the Bharat Ratna. Ustad Bismillah Khan got the fame even in abroad and in such an extent that one huge auditorium in Tehran was named after him. He was not only a master in music but also was a perfect example of the cultural heritage of india as even being a muslim, he used to play the Shehani every morning at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. He  accomplished the glory in such an extent that when he died on 21st August 2006 at the age of ninety after a prolonged illness, the government of India declared one day of national mourning. 

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS :

Q.1: Do you know these people? What instruments do they play?

    

ANSWER:

1. Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia -  plays flute

2. Ustad Vilayat Khan - plays sitar

3. M. Lalitha and M. Nandini - play violin

4. Zakir Hussain - plays tabla

5. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan - plays sarod

6. Maestro Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan - plays

       violin

7. Ustad Sultan Khan - plays sarangi

8. Ustad Bismillah Khan - plays shehnai

Q.2: Tick the right answer.

1. The (shehnai, pungi) was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’

Ans :   The pungi was  a ‘reeded noisemaker.’

2. (Bismillah Khan, A barber, Ali Bux) transformed the pungi into a shehnai.

Ans : A barber transformed the pungi into a shehnai.

3. Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were (barbers, professional musicians).

Ans : Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were professional musicians.

4. Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from (Ali Bux, Paigambar Bux, Ustad Faiyaaz Khan).

Ans : Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from Ali Bux.

5. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, U.S.A., Canada).

Ans : Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to Afghanistan.

CLICK HERE FOR :  SOUND OF MUSIC - EVELYN GLENNIE

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