Class 9 English Notes Chapter 2 (The Sound of Music) – Beehive English Text Book Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 2, 'The Sound of Music', from your Beehive textbook. This chapter is quite significant as it presents two inspiring stories about dedication to music, overcoming challenges, and achieving excellence. For your government exam preparation, pay close attention to the details, key figures, achievements, and underlying themes in both parts.

Chapter 2: The Sound of Music

This chapter is divided into two parts, each focusing on a renowned musician who achieved international fame through sheer dedication and talent.

Part I: Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It

• Protagonist: Evelyn Glennie, a multi-percussionist from Scotland.
• Central Challenge: Evelyn is profoundly deaf. Her hearing loss was gradual, noticed around age eight and confirmed by age eleven. Doctors advised hearing aids and special schooling, suggesting a bleak future in music.
• Overcoming Adversity:
  • Determination: Evelyn was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her interest in music.
  • Mentor: Percussionist Ron Forbes spotted her potential. He guided her not to listen through her ears but to sense music through vibrations in different parts of her body.
  • Method: Ron Forbes tuned two large drums to different notes and asked Evelyn to feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower one from the waist down. This opened her mind and body to sensing sounds and vibrations. She learned to feel music through her feet (on wooden platforms), fingertips, skin, hair, and even bones.
• Achievements:
  • Royal Academy of Music, London: She auditioned at age 16 and scored one of the highest marks in the academy's history.
  • Solo Career: Graduated after three years and moved from orchestral work to a successful solo career.
  • Mastery: Commands mastery over around a thousand percussion instruments.
  • International Recognition: Performs concerts globally. Received the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society’s Soloist of the Year Award in 1991.
  • Inspiration: She is a source of inspiration for differently-abled people, proving that physical disability cannot hinder success if one has strong determination. She gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals and prioritizes classes for young musicians.
• Key Character Traits: Determined, hardworking, passionate, confident, sensitive, inspirational.
• Important Quote (Implied meaning): Evelyn mentions that men with bushy beards give her trouble because she has to watch lips, eyes, and the whole face to understand speech. This highlights her reliance on visual cues. She speaks flawlessly because she learned to speak before losing her hearing significantly.
• Theme: Triumph of the human spirit over adversity, dedication to one's passion, redefining limitations.

Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

• Protagonist: Ustad Bismillah Khan, the legendary Indian Shehnai maestro.
• Instrument: The Shehnai.
  • Origin: Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the 'pungi' (a reeded musical instrument) due to its shrill, unpleasant sound. A barber from a family of professional musicians modified the pungi, creating a longer, broader pipe with more holes, producing a soft, melodious sound. Played first in the Shah's (Emperor's) chambers by a 'nai' (barber), it was named 'Shehnai'.
  • Traditional Use: Initially part of the 'naubat' (traditional ensemble of nine instruments found at royal courts) and played mainly in temples and North Indian weddings.
• Bismillah Khan's Contribution: Credited with bringing the Shehnai onto the classical stage, elevating its status from just an ensemble/occasional instrument to a respected classical solo instrument.
• Early Life and Training:
  • Born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar, into a family of musicians.
  • Inspired by his maternal uncle, Ali Bux ‘Vilayatu’, the official Shehnai player of the Vishnu temple (Balaji Temple) in Varanasi (Benaras).
  • Practiced for hours on the banks of the River Ganga in Benaras. The flowing waters of the Ganga inspired him to improvise and invent ragas previously considered beyond the Shehnai's scope.
• Key Milestones and Achievements:
  • All India Radio (1938): Got his big break with the opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow. Soon became an often-heard Shehnai player on radio.
  • India's Independence (15 Aug 1947): Chosen to greet the newly independent nation by playing Raag Kafi from the Red Fort, immediately before Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech. A historic and proud moment.
  • International Recognition: Performed globally, including Afghanistan (King Zahir Shah was highly impressed), the Lincoln Centre Hall (USA), World Exposition (Montreal), Cannes Art Festival, and Osaka Trade Fair. An auditorium in Tehran was named after him – Tahar Mosiquee Ustaad Bismillah Khan.
  • National Awards: Received India's highest civilian awards – Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan.
  • Bharat Ratna (2001): Awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.
• Character and Values:
  • Dedication: Deeply devoted to his music and the Shehnai.
  • Humility: Remained a simple and humble man despite his fame.
  • Patriotism: Extremely fond of India, particularly Benaras and Dumraon. Refused offers to settle abroad, stating he couldn't leave his beloved Hindustan, Benaras, and the holy Ganga.
  • Secularism: A devout Muslim who played the Shehnai every morning at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, symbolizing India's rich, composite culture and communal harmony.
• Theme: Dedication to art and culture, patriotism, secularism, the elevation of traditional art forms, humility amidst greatness.

Key Takeaways for Exams:

• Remember the names: Evelyn Glennie, Ron Forbes, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ali Bux.
• Know the instruments: Percussion instruments (Evelyn), Shehnai, Pungi (Bismillah Khan).
• Key locations: Scotland, Royal Academy of Music (London), Dumraon, Benaras (Varanasi), River Ganga, Red Fort.
• Significant events/dates: Evelyn's audition, 1991 Soloist Award; Bismillah Khan's birth year (1916), AIR Lucknow opening (1938), Independence Day performance (1947), Bharat Ratna (2001).
• Understand how Evelyn 'hears' music (vibrations).
• Understand the evolution of the Shehnai and Bismillah Khan's role in popularizing it.
• Note Bismillah Khan's deep connection to Benaras and the Ganga, and his embodiment of secular values.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. At what age was Evelyn Glennie's deafness confirmed?
   a) Five
   b) Eight
   c) Eleven
   d) Sixteen

2. Who helped Evelyn Glennie learn to sense music through vibrations?
   a) Her mother
   b) Ron Forbes
   c) Ali Bux
   d) A doctor at the Royal Academy

3. Which prestigious award did Evelyn Glennie receive from the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1991?
   a) Bharat Ratna
   b) Padma Shri
   c) Soloist of the Year Award
   d) Grammy Award

4. The musical instrument 'pungi' was banned by Emperor Aurangzeb because of its:
   a) Soft melody
   b) Association with temples
   c) Shrill, unpleasant sound
   d) Difficulty to play

5. Who is credited with modifying the 'pungi' and creating the 'Shehnai'?
   a) Ustad Bismillah Khan
   b) Ali Bux
   c) A barber in the Shah's court
   d) Tansen

6. Where did Ustad Bismillah Khan regularly practice the Shehnai in his younger days, drawing inspiration?
   a) In the royal court of Dumraon
   b) At the All India Radio station in Lucknow
   c) On the banks of the River Ganga in Benaras
   d) Inside the Red Fort in Delhi

7. On which historic occasion did Ustad Bismillah Khan play the Shehnai from the Red Fort?
   a) Republic Day, 1950
   b) Opening of All India Radio, 1938
   c) India's Independence Day, 1947
   d) His receiving the Bharat Ratna, 2001

8. Which place did Ustad Bismillah Khan refuse to leave, despite offers to head a Shehnai school in the USA?
   a) Dumraon
   b) Lucknow
   c) Benaras (Varanasi)
   d) Kolkata

9. Ustad Bismillah Khan, a devout Muslim, regularly played the Shehnai at which temple?
   a) Jagannath Temple, Puri
   b) Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
   c) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
   d) Golden Temple, Amritsar

10. What is the highest civilian award conferred upon Ustad Bismillah Khan in 2001?
    a) Padma Vibhushan
    b) Padma Bhushan
    c) Padma Shri
    d) Bharat Ratna

Answers to MCQs:

1. c) Eleven
2. b) Ron Forbes
3. c) Soloist of the Year Award
4. c) Shrill, unpleasant sound
5. c) A barber in the Shah's court
6. c) On the banks of the River Ganga in Benaras
7. c) India's Independence Day, 1947
8. c) Benaras (Varanasi)
9. b) Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
10. d) Bharat Ratna

Study these notes thoroughly. Understanding the journey, struggles, and achievements of both Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan is crucial. Good luck with your preparation!