CHAPTER 2

The Sound of Music

Both the parts throw
Thechapter is divided in two parts.

light on aspects of music and renowned musicians. The

first part is written by Deborah Cowley. She is an Ottawa

based writer and broadcaster. The second part is about

shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan and his contribution in the

field of music.

Summary

I. Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It

London. It was a daunting task for any budding musiciar

Seventeen year old Evelyn was going to the Royal Academy of music in

as she was facing a bigger challenge in life: she was deaf. She lost her hearing gradualy. re
But it was more difficult for Evelyn

when she was eight years old. By eleven she was completely deaf due to nerve damage. She was advise.
mother noticed it first

But Evelyn didn't give up hope. She was determined to lead a normal life. She wanted to pursue her careë
to wear a hearing aid.

saw a playing a xylophone and she too decided to play Most of the teachers discouraged he
One day Evelyn
it.
in music. girl

Ron who recognised her potential and supported her in achieving her goal. He began by tunily
but it was percussionist Forbes

through her ears but try to sense and feel it in some ote
twolarge drums to different notes, and advised Evelyn not to listen

open her body and mind to the sounds and vibrations. Now, she could feel the different noi
way. Soon Evelyn had learnt to

she never back. The rest was her sheer determination and hard work. She toured ti
of the drum in her body. After that looked

the Prestigious Royal Acadery

United Kingdom with a youth orchestra. She had decided to make music her life. Evelyn joined

of Music and scored the highest marks in the history of the academy. She gradually moved from orchestral work to

she had captured most of the top awards. She does not see her achieveme
performances. At the end of her three year course,

one knows one's goals one can get

heroic She says that
it.
c
if
sheplays
Evelyn
functions with ease. She says that music pours in through every part of her body. At times,
Without hearing,
on them.
Evelyn
can sense the sound passing her fingertips. She feels the sound the drums when she leans
in
of
the xylophone.

platform
she removed her shoes so that she could feel the vibrations in her body.
On a wooden
an
sheis
was awarded the Soloist of the Year Award. Evelyn has brought percussion to the front of the orchestra,
In 1991, she
 The Sound of Music

157
for deaf children,
inspiration and made them
believe that if
has
she could do that,
and
rewards. Evelyn given
enormous why cannot they. She has earned many awards
pleasure to millions.

The Shehnai of
BismillahKhan

Emperor Auangzeb banned the playing of a musical

instrument
bad asharp and unpleasant
called 'pungi inthe royal residence. The reason was that
sound. But a

it
barber of a family of professional
musicians
was improved and
when decided to improve the
quality of pug
it
Later, played on, it produced
soft and
Theinstrument melodious sounds. He played before royalty and everyone
impressed. had to be qiven a new

it
was
name. As the
story goes, Since it was first played inthe Shah's chambers
andI was played by a nai (barber), the
instrument was named the
'shehnai'.
The sound of the
'shehnai began to be considered
auspicious. So it is still played in
temples and at weddings in north
Earlier was part of the naubat' or India.
it
traditional ensemble of nine
instruments found at royal courts. Ustad
brought onto the classical stage. Bismillah Khan has
it
Bismllah Khan was born on 21 March 1916 in a family of musicians in Bihar, His grandfather, father and other paternal
ancestors were also great shehnai players. He vwas attracted towards his uncle's practice of the Shehnai. Soon he started
accompanying his uncle Ali Bux and slowly he started getting lessons in playing the instrument and would sit practisIng
throughout the day. The temple of 'Balaji and
'Mangla Maiya' and the banks of the Ganga
became the young apprentice's
favourite places where he could practise. The flowing waters of
the Ganga inspired him to invent new raagas that were earlier
considered to be beyond the range of the Shehnai.

At the age of 14, Bismillah accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad Music Conference. The opening of All India Radio in
Lucknow in 1938 became a big break for Bismillah. He soon became a shehnai player on radio. He was the first Indian to greet
freedom with shehnai on 15"August, 1947. Film director Vijay Bhatt was so impressed after hearing him play at a festival that
he named a film after the instrument called 'GunjUthi Shehnai'.

Bismillah Khan was the first Indian to be invited to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Centre Hall in the United States of America.
He was awarded with national awards like the Padmashri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan.

In 2001, Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded the India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. On this occasion he said,"...
Teach your children music, this is Hindustan's richest tradition ;even the west is now coming to learn our music."
He had travelled to all over the world. Still he was exceedingly fond of Benaras and Dumraon and they remain for him the most
wonderful towns of the world. He had no desire to be the foreign
settled in countries. He even refused a position in America
saying that he cannot find the Ganga there. He was the perfect example of the rich, cultural heritage of India.

Story On Fingertips

I. Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It

Evelyn Glennie was a seventeen-year-old girl, she had decided to make music her life. But she turned deaf at a very young
age.

She feels the vibration of music. She has been selected for training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London.
She was advised to be sent to school for the deaf. But Evelyn was determined a
to lead normal life and pursue her interest

in music.

Most of the people discouraged her but percussionist Ron Forbes noticed her potential and motivated her to feel music in

different parts of her body.

During her 3 years course in Royal Academy of Music, Evelyn scored highest marks in the history of academy, she got most
of the top awards and started giving solo-performances.
 Cloe
and Literature
English Language
158 wtG10O PERCENT
get there".
and know where you are going you'll
According to her, "ifyou work hard

She had learnt French and basic Japanese. pass through her bare feet
platform, so that the vibrations
on a wooden
barefoot
While playing
instruments, sheremained
through every part of her body.
She could feel music
dnd up her legs.

and has been awarded enormously.

She has been a hard working individual

differently abled people.

an inspiration for all
her Iite is

II. The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

unpleasant sound.
its
Aurangzeb for
was banned by Emperor on it, Sweet and cok
rungi a musical instrument
quality of pungi. When he played

decided to improve the tonal

of a family of musicians was named Shehna:
A barber by a Nai (barber), it

in the Shah's Chamber and was played

Since it was played musical
SOunds were produced.
of the 'naubat (a group of nine
traditional
The Shehnai was part
is considered auspicious.
Ihe sound of Shehnai
only in temples and weddings.
in the royal courts. It was played
instruments) found
musicians.
of professional
player. He belonged to a family
Khan was a great Shehnai
the classical stane
Bismillah
his hard work he brought it onto
Shehnai at a very young age with
a knack for playing
He developed
them on Shehnai.
and improvised many raagas and played
Bismillah Khan invented
and soon became an apprentice of

He practised playing Shehnai'

Bux gave him Shehnai lessons.
uncle Ali
His maternal

his uncle.

the nation, with his Shehnai on 15 August 1947.

Indian to greet
Bismillah Khan was the first
and recognition
both in India and abroad. He garnered love

Bismillah khan gave many memorable performances

Ustaad

from his fans wherever he went.

civilian award Bharat Ratna in the year 2001.

India's highest
He's the recipient of many coveted awards including

WORD MEANINGS
I. Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It

Word Meaning

NCERT Page 17
1. Extraordinary Very unusual or remarkable

2. Jostle Push,elbow, or bump against (someone) roughly, typically in a crowd

3. Slight (Of aperson) thin or slender

4. Prestigious Having high status

5. Aspiring musician Someone who is trying to become a successful musician

6. Profoundly To a profound extent;extremely

7. Conceal Not allow to be seen; hide
8. Deteriorated Become progressively worse
9. Urged Try persistently to persuade (someone)to do something

NCERT Page 18

10. Impaired Weakened or damaged

11.Determined Possessing or displaying resolve
12. Pursue To carry on with one's interest in something
The Soundof Music
159

13.Percussionist A person
who plays
percussion
instruments such as drums, tabla, etc.
14. Spotted Recognising that
(someone) has a
particular talent
15. Potential Quality or ability
that can be
Auditioned Gave a short developed
16.
performance in order to show that
play,sole,etc. or is she is suitable for a particular
good enough at
17. Sought-after Is in great
(something)
demand;desirable
18. Intriguing
Fascinating

NCERT Page 19

19. Flawlessly Perfectly

20. Lilt A pleasant gentle accent

21. Tingles Cause to experience a
slight pricklingor stinging sensation
22. Resonances Echoes of sounds

NCERT Page 20

23. Workaholic A person who compulsively works excessively hard and long hours
24. Enormous
Very huge
25. Priority
Great importance; a thing that is regarded as more important than others

II. The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

NCERT Page 21

26. Royal residence The official residence of a royal personage or

other high dignitary
27. Generic name A name relating toa whole groupof similar things
28. Reeded (of a wind instrument) having a reed or
reeds like the flute, clarinet, etc.
29. Revived Restore interest in or the popularity of ;
reintroduce
NCERT Page 22
30. Auspiciou Giving or being a sign of future success; prosperous
31. Indispensable Absolutely necessary
32. Emsemble A groupof items viewed as a whole; (here instruments)
considered as a group
33. Paternal ancestors - Ancestors of the father

NCERT Page 23

34.
Accompanying Going somewherewith (someone) as a companion
35. One end
Continuing without stopping for a specified period of time
36. Apprentice
A beginner
37. Haunts
Places visited more often
38.Improvise
To do a thing in a new and different way
39. Maestro
A person who
is very skilled at playing or conducting (or directing the
performance of) music
40. Taken in
by Attracted or charmed by
41.
Souvenirs
A thing that is given in memory of a person, place or event
 mtG10O PERCENT English Language and Literature Class-o
160

NCERT Page 24

throughout a whole nation

42. Nationwide Extending or reaching

43. Chartbuster Record breaker

44. Celluloid Film and the cinema

45.Coveted Greatly desired

Shine with a particular emotion (a person's eye)

46. Glinting

NCERT Page 25

47. Devout Showingor having deep religious feelings or commitment

NCERTFOCUS not her

He asked to thrOugh
Evelyn Glennie Listens toSound Without
Evelyn listen
to different notes.
I.

ears but to try and sense the sound in some other manner

Hearing It
Suddenly Evelyn realised that she could feel the higher drum

from the waist up and the lower drum from the waist down.

Thinking About the Text Forbes repeated the exercise and Evelyn realised that she could

sense certain notes in different parts of her body.

NCERT Page 20

4. Name the various places and causes for

Answer these questions in a few words ora couple of

which Evelyn performs.
sentences each.

Ans. Evelyn gave solo performances at regular concerts. Apart

1 How old was Evelyn when she went to the
from that she also gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals.

Royal Academy of Music? for young musiians.

She also accorded high priority to classes

Ans. Evelyn was seventeen years old when she went to the
Answer the question in two or three paragraphs
Royal Academy of Music in London.
(100-150 words).

2. When was her deafness first noticed? When

5. How does Evelyn hear music?
was it confirmed?
Ans. Evelyn heard music by sensing the notes in different

Ans. Her deafness was first noticed by her mother when she
parts of her body. When Ron Forbes tuned two drums to

was eight years old. When she turned eleven, her deafness was
different notes and asked her to sense the sound without
confirmed.
using her ears, she realized that she could feel the higher

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph drum from the waist up and the lower drum from the waist

(30-40 words). down.

She learnt how to open her mind and body to sounds and
3. Who helped her to continue with music?
vibrations. It was sheer determination and hard work. When
What did he do and say?
she played the xylophone,she could sense the sound passing

Ans. It was a percussionist named Ron Forbes who spotted up the stick into her fingertips. By leaning against the drums,

her potential in music. He began by tuning two large drums she could feel the resonances flowing into her body.
 The Sound ofMusic

On a wooden platform, she 161

remaoved her shoes
sothatthe 2
vibrations could passthrough her (Bismillah Khan, A barber.
barefeet
and up her Ali Bux!
She hersef said that music iegs.
poured in transformed the pungi into
through every part
a shehnai.
of
her body.It tingled in the skin, her Ans. A barber
cheekbones and even
in
transformed the pungi into a shehna.
her hair.
3. Bismillah Khan's paternal
ancestors were
The Shehnai of Bismillah
IL. (barbers, professional
Khan musicians).
Ans. Bismillah Khan's
paternal ancestors were professiona!
musicians.
Thinking About the Text
4
Bismillah Khan learnt to play
NCERT Page 25 the shehnai
from (Ali Bux, Paigambar
Bux, Ustad Faiyaaz
Tick the right answer Khan).
Ans. Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai
1. The (pungi, from Ali Bux.
shehnai) was a 'reeded
noisemaker.' 5. Bismillah Khan's first trip abroad was to
(Afghanistan, U.S.A., Canada).
Ans.The pungiwas a 'reeded noisemaker.
Ans. Bismillah Khan's first trip abroad was to Afghanistan.
Find the words in the text which show
Ustad Bismillah Khan's
feelings aboutthe items
mark a tick () in the correct column.
Discuss your answers in
listed below. Then
class.
6

Bismillah Khan's Feelings about Positive

Negative Neutral
1. teaching childrenmusic
for
2. the ilm world

3. migrating to the U.S.A.

4. playing at temples
Aps:

5. getting the Bharat Ratna

itas

6. the banks of the Ganga

ias

7. leaving Benaras and Dumraon

aphs
Ans.

Bismillah Khan's Feelings about Positive Negative Neutral

1. teaching children music
2. the film world
erer

3. migrating to the U.S.A.

4. playing at temples
ho
5.
getting the Bharat Ratna

6. the banks of the Ganga

1. leaving Benaras and Dumraon

Answer these questions in 30-40words. (page26)

I. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?

S, Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of musical instrument pungi in the royal residence for it had a shril and
Unpleasant sound. It became the generic name for reeded noisemakers.
 162 MtG I0OPERCENT English Languageand Literature Class-o

8. How is a shehnaidifferent from a pungi? Ans. Bismillah Khan immensely loved India, particularlv

Benaras and Dumraon. In his initial years the temple of Balai

Ans. The barber who decided to reinvent the harsh sounding
Mangala Maiya became his favourite places where he coud
pungi chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was
practice music in solitude. The flowing waters of the Ganga
longer and broader than that of the pungi. It also has seven
inspired him to improvise and invent ragas.
holes on its body. When it is played by closing and opening
Khansaab refused to start a shehnai school in the USA becalisa
of some of the holes, it produces soft and melodious sounds.
he could not live outside India. His student who had askod

9. Where was the shehnaiplayed traditionally? him to head the shehnai school, promised that he would

How did Bismillah Khan change this? recreate the atmosphereof Benaras by replicating the temples

there. However, he wanted to know if his student could alse

Ans. The shehnai was traditionally played in royal courts,
transport river Ganga, which his student obviously could not
temples and weddings. Ustad Bismillah Khan changed this
He himself said that whenever he was in a foreign country, he
by introducing the instrument onto the classical stage by
kept yearning for his homeland.
improvising and inventing ragas that were earlier considered

to be beyond the range of the shehnai.

Thinking About Language
10. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his
NCERT Page 26, 27
big break?

Ans. Bismillah Khan got his big break in 1938 when Alllndia Complete the following sentences. Beginning witha

Radio opened in Lucknow. He was invited to play the shehnai to-verb, try to answer the questions in brackets.

on radio, and soon his tunes came to be commonly heard on

The school sports team hopes
14.
the radio by the entire nation.
(Whatdoes it hope to do?)
11. Where Khan play the shehnai
did Bismillah Ans. The school sports team hopes to win the match.

on 15August 1947? Why was the eventhistoric? 15. We all want (What do we all

want to do?)
Ans. On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan played the Raag

Kaafi on his shehnai from the Red Fort. The event was historical Ans. We allwant to go on a vacation.

because it was on the occasion of India's Independence from

16. They advised the hearing-impairedchild's
British Rule. He became the first Indian to greet the nation with mother (What did they advise her
his shehnai.
to do?)

12. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a Ans. They advised the hearing-impaired child's mother to

consult a doctor.
shehnaischool in the U.S.A.?

Ans. Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in USA 17.The authorities permitted us to
because he immensely loved Hindustan, particularly Benaras,
(What did the authorities permit us to do?)

Dumraon and the river Ganga. He used to get inspiration from Ans. The authorities permitted us to organize a charity event.

the ambience of numerous ghats in Varanasi. He knew that he

18. A musician decided to (Whatdid
won't be able to get that ambience in the USA. He himself said
the musician decide to do?)
that whenever he was in a foreign country, he kept yearning to
Ans.A musician decided to open a school for differently-abled
see Hindustan.
children.

13. Find at least two instances in the text which From the text on Bismillah Khan, find the words and

tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and phrases that match these definitions and write them
Benaras. down. The number of the paragraph where you will
 Music
paricta The Soundof

ehe
c God the words/phrases

brackets.
has been given for you in
30.
the
When you replicate something,you do
first time/for the second time).
it
163

(for

19. the home of royal people (1)

Ans.When you replicate something. you do it for the second
time.
Ans. the royal residence

20. the state of being alone (5) 31. When we come to terms with something,it
e Ans. solitude
is (still
upsetting/no longer upsetting).

Ans.When we come to terms with something,it is no

a part longer
21. which is absolutely necessary (2) upseting.

Consult your dictionary and complete

the following
Ans.indispensable
table. The first one has been done for you.
22 to do somethingnot done before (5) 32.

Ans.invent Both
Only Not
before and
23. without much effort (13) Adjective before before
after the
noun noun
gwitha Ans.effortlessly verb be
indispensable
ets. 24. quickly and in large quantities (9)
impressed
and
afraid
Ans.thick, fast
outdoor
. Tick the right answer paternal

countless
we al
25. When something is revived, it (remainsdead/
priceless
lives again).

Ans.
Ans.When something is revived, it lives again.

Both
child: 26. When a government bans something, it Only Not
before and
ise be wants it (stopped/started). Adjective before before
after the
noun noun
Ans.When a government bans something, it wants it stopped. verb be
indispensable
other
27. When something is considered auspicious,
(welcomeit/avoid it). impressed

afraid

Ans. When something is considered auspicious, welcome it. outdoor

28. When we take to something, we find it paternal

y eer
(boringlinteresting). countless

nat
di
Ans. When we take to something, we find it
priceless
interesting.

Use these words in phrases or sentences.

29. When you appreciate something,you (find it
good and useful/find it of no use). 1. A nourishing food is indispensable for growing children.

2. Sudha was impressed by my singing.

Ans.When you appreciate something, you find it good and
dsad useful. 3 lam not afraid of the dark.
ether
4. Hockey is an outdoor game.
 164 WtG 10OPERCENT English Language and Literature Class-9

about her was that she

5 Prize of 2015. What was surprising
Ilive with my paternal uncle.
the age of twelve. However
increasingly getting deaf from
6. is
James was showered with countless gifts. her career
did not stop her from pursuing
this weakness of her
7. My mother gave me a priceless piece of advice.
to play various western classical

in music and she continued

that she feels tha
She enjoys music and says
instruments.
Writing different parts of her body. Throughout
vibrations through
including the hecs
she has many awards
NCERT Page 29 her career received

the year' in 1991.

'soloist of
33. "If you work hard and know where you're
Khan was born in

Ustad Bismillah Khan : Ustad Bismillah

going. You'll get there." says Evelyn Glennie.

He belonged to a
British Indian empire.
abouttwo musicians. Evelyn Bihar in 1916, then
You have now read
musicians from Bihar. Even though he
Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan. Do you well-known family of

does not
belonged to a strict shia community which usually

think that they both worked hard? Where did

introducing the shehnai
music, he is today famous for
they want to 'go`?
like

and inventing ragas

stage by improvising
Answer these question in two paragraphs. One onto the classical

to be beyond the range of the

two musicians. that were earlier considered
on each of the
had long held importance as a
shehnai. While the shehnai

:Evelyn Glennie was born and brought up

Ans.Evelyn Glennie
in traditional ceremonies,
folk instrument played primarily
a Scottish virtuOSo,
in Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom. She is

Khan credited with elevating its status and bringing to

it
is
performing internationally with a wide
multi-percussionist,
He was awarded India's highest civilian
the concert stage.
and contemporary musicians. She was
variety of orchestras

Music honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2001

selected as one of the two laureates for the Polar

$CBSEFoCUS
1. Evelyn GIlennie Listens to Sound Without 2. She never looked back from that point

Hearing It
onwards. She toured the United Kingdom with a
youth orchestra and by the time shewas sixteen,
Extract Based Questions she had decided to make music her life. She

SA Type Guestions (2 Marks) auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music and

scored one of the highest marks in the history

1. God may have taken her hearing but he
has given her back of the academy. She gradually moved from
something extraordinary.
What we hear, she feels -
far more deeply than
orchestral work to solo performances.At the end
any of us. That is why she expresses music so of her three-year course, she had captured most
beautifully.' of the top awards.

(i) Why does the speakersay

"What we hear, (i) Give any two achievements of
she feels far more Evelyn
deeply than any of us."? Glennie mentioned in the
extract.
(iü) How is Evelyn able to express
music so (ii) What did Evelyn Glennie do after a
beautifully according to the speaker? while!
What does she consider
her life?
 The Sound of Music 165
2 But by the time she was eleven her marks was longer and broader than the pungi, and
bad deteriorated and her headmistress urged made sevenholes on the body of the pipe. When
her parents to take her to a specialist. It was he played on it, closing and opening some of these
then discovered that her hearing was severely holes, soft and melodious sound were produced."
imnaired as a
result of gradual nerve damage.
(i) Who improve the pungi? What
decided to
They were advised that she should be fitted with
type of pipe was chosen for the purpose.
hearing aids and sent to a school for the deaf.
(ii) What happened on opening and closing some
(1) What was the specialist's diagnosis? of the holes?

(i) What advice did the specialist give the 2. A student of his once wanted him to head
parents?
a shehnaischool in the U.S.A., and the student
promised to recreate the atmosphere of Benaras
Short Answer Type Questions by replicating the temples there. But Khansaab
SA Type Questions (2 Marks) asked him if he would be able to transport River
Ganga as well. Later, he is remembered to have
4. What is Evelyn's contribution to percussion?
said, "That is why whenever Iam in a foreign
How is she an inspiration for the differently
country, Ikeep yearning to see Hindustan.
abled people?
(i) Who is Khansaab? What did his student
5. What was Evelyn Glennie's reaction when request him?
she learnt abouther hearing impairment?
(ii) Whatwas Khansaab's reply? What did he miss
6. Who helped Evelyn open her mind and body when in foreign land?

to musical sounds vibrations? How? 3. With the coveted award resting on his chest
and his eyes glinting with rare happinesshe said,
Long Answer Type Questions "All I would like to say is :Teach your children
LA Type Question (8 Marks) music, this is Hindustan's even

)
richest tradition;
the west is now coming to learn our music."
7. "If you work hard and know where you are
get there," says Evelyn Glennie What does Bismillah Khan want children to
i
going, you'll

Write a character sketch of Evelyn Glennie in

learn?Why?
the light of this statement. (ii)What will happen if the young generation
learns music? Which coveted award is
8. Describe about Evelyn's contribution in the mentioned in the extract?
field of music. What does her career teach to the
handicapped people? Short Answer TypeQuestions
SA Type Questions (2 Marks)
I1. The Shehnaiof Bismillah Khan
4.
Where was shehnai played initially? Why
Extract Based Questions was the shehnaiplayed in temples and weddings?
SA Type Questions (2 Marks) 5. How Ali Bux is related to Bismillah Khan?
1: "A barber of a family of professional What did he do for a living?
musician8, who had access to the royal palace, 6. What influenced Bismillah Khan to learn to
decided to improvethe tonal quality of the pungi. play the Shehnai? Name some of his favourite
He chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that haunts for practising music.
 166 wtG 100PERCENT English Language and Literature Class-9

7. How did India honour and reward the Long Answer Type Questions
great musician,Ustaad Bismillah Khan? How LA Type Questions (8 Marks)
renowned was his music globally?
9 Writea brief note in your words on the origin
8. Why did young Bismillah choose temple of and history of the Shehnai.
Balaji and Mangal Maiya and the banks of he
10. Write a note on the life and achievements of

Ganga to practise shehnai? Ustaad Bismillah Khan.

ANSWERS

to Sound Without 5. Evelyn lost her hearing due to nerve damage when she
I. Evelyn Glennie Listens
was eleven. It was suggested that she should be fitted with

Hearing It
hearing aids and be sent to a school for the deaf. At that

moment, all seemed hopeless to Evelyn. However, instead

1. (0) Evelyn Glennie became deaf at the tender age
lead a normal life like other
of giving up, Evelyn decided to
of eleven. Aithough her hearing was completely damaged,

sense musical vibrations and certain notes in children, and pursue her dream of learning music.
Evelyn could

different parts of her body. 6. It was percussionist Ron Forbes who recognised Evelyn's

(ii) Sensing the vibrations of music through every part of talent and helped her open her mind and body to sounds and

Evelyn's body, she is able to feel and understand music, which vibrations of music. He began by tuning two large drums to

helps her express it beautifully. different notes. He encouraged Evelyn to try and sense music

some other way. When he played the drums in twO different

2. (0) (a) She auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music
notes, Evelyn felt each note in a different part of her body.
and achieved the highest scores.

Evelyn learnt to feel the sounds and vibrations through

(b) Doing musical tours at the age of sixteen.
different parts of the body rather than her ears. As a result her
() After playing in orchestra for a while, Evelyn Glennie
mind and body were able to recognise and distinguish various
started giving solo performances. She considers music to
sounds vibrations of music. This way she made up for the loss
be her life. She mastered music and won many awards and
of hearing in other parts of her body.
became inspiration for many.

7. Evelyn Glennie is an award winning and world renowned

3. () The specialist diagnosed that Evelyn had lost her
percussionist who achieved success and recognition through
hearing completely because of gradual nerve damage. She
sheer hard work,firm determination, her never-give-up atitude
became deaf at the tender age of eleven.
and her clarity of aim. Although it wasn't an easy task, with

(i) The specialist advised that Evelyn should be fitted with

help of these values she overcame her handicap of deafness
hearing aid and sent to a school for the deaf.
very bravely. Evelyn developed hearing impairmentat a young

4. Evelyn has brought percussion to the front of the age of eleven but she has never let it become a hindrance in

orchestra, and has proved that it can be very moving. Evelyn's her life, and in her way to success.

accomplishments werea result of rock-hard determination and When Evelyn learnt about her deafness, for a moment she

relentless hard work. She set an example for all, especially the felt all hope was lost. But instead of getting too affected oy

differently-abled people and gave them inspiration to pursue the news, Evelyn determined to lead a reqular life, Evelyn was
their dreams in spite of their shortcomings and believe that passionate about music, so she never gave up her passion
if
she can do they too can achieve their goals in
it, life.
even though she met many Nay-sayers who discouraged her
 ofMusic
The Sound
167
following
her dreams. The
from encouragement and training 4
by Ron Forbes paved the Shehnai, because of its melodious and soft music, was
way for her
provided advancement
part of the naubat or traditional ensemble of nine instruments
stuck to the path with
undaunting
and she
resolution. It was tound at royal courts. Ever since the sound of shehnai started
confidence
and faith in herself that
this made her dare to to be considered auspicious, it began to be played in temples
for the Royal Academy of Music,
audition London and scored and weddings.
marks, received I the topmost awards by the
the highest end of
5 Ali Bux was Bismillah Khan's maternal
course. uncle, to quite an
her three years

extent, his mentor and trainer who taught him to play shehnai.
Fyelvn is a source of inspiration
for many, especially for Ali Bux himself was a terrific shehnai player. Ali Bux lived in
with challenges. Evelyn Glennie's
the people contribution in Benaras. He was employed to play the shehnai in the Vishnu
Ake feld of music, to bring percussion to the front stage in temple of Benaras.

the orchestra is commendable. She believes that no goal is

onachievable for those who work
6. Bismillah Khan first got acquainted with shehnai at the
hard and are focused on
Ake n0al. With her earnest age of three when he watched his maternal uncles practise
efforts, she moved from playing nlaving the instrument. It
in orchestra to doing solo performances. fascinated him. Then he began
to

She is now the most accompany his uncle, Ali Bux, to Vishnu Temple of Benaras
sought-after multi percussionist with a
where Ali Bux played the shehnai. Bismillah Khan would sit
mastery of somethousand instruments. She haseven managed
for hours. completely
mesmerised by the sound of shehnai.
to learn French and master basic Japanese. HIS
fascination for the instrument made him take lessons, and he

I. The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan would practise and practise allday long.

7 honoured
1. (0 A barber India Bismillah Khan by conferring on him the
of a familyof musicians decided to improve
most coveted national awards -the Padma Shri, the Padma
the tonal quality pungi. He used a natural hollow stem and
Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan.He was also awarded the
made seven holes on it. When he played on it produced
it,
melodious sound.
Bharat Ratna in 2001, which is the highest civilian award in India.

) The barber made seven holes on the body of that holow Globaly, Bismilah Khan's music garnered
from the international audience. Ustaad
much appreciation
Bismillah Khan became
stem and on opening and closing of some of the holes,
it
the first Indian to be invited to perform
produced soft and melodious in the prestigious
sounds. Hence a new musical Lincoln

instrument was invented.

Centre Hal, USA. He also participated in the World Exposition

2. )
requested
Khansaab

him to
is

head a
Bismillah Khan. Once his student
in Montreal,

Fair. In Teheran,
in the

an
Cannes Art

auditorium
Festival

was named
and the Osaka Trade

after him.
shehnai school in USA and he
promised to recreate Benaras like atmosphere for him in USA
8. Young Bismillah chose temple of Balaii and Mangal Maiya

by replicating and the banks of River Ganga to practise shehnai

temples and al. because these
(1) Khansaab
were the places where he found solitude. The
refused the offer by stating flowing waters
that Ganga cant
De transported to USA from which he of the Ganga inspired him to improvise and invent raagas
derives his inspiration. that

He further said that

were earlier considered to be beyond the range
while in foreign country, he always of shehnai.
longed
for his
homeland.
9. Back in the day, when Aurangzeb was
ruling Hindustan,
3. 0) Bismillah Khan wants apeculiar musical instrument called
children to learn pungi played in the royal
Indian
classical music becauseIndia has court. Pungi had a shrill unpleasant sound, which seemed
a very rich tradition of music,

even the west is now coming to learn

more noise than music.
this music.
(ü) If the Aurangzeb did not like the obnoxious sound of the
young generation learns music, they can keep the pungi,
tradition ofIndia
alive. The covetedaward mentioned in the so he banned the playing of this musical instrument in the
extract is
Bharat Ratna. royal residence. However, one day, a barber of a family
of
168 and Literature Clast.0
English Language
wtG IOPERCENT
Music Conference
protessional Bux to the Allahabad
musicians who had access to the royal accompanied Ali
palace, plavine
break when he started
decided to improve the tonal quality of the Bismillah Khan got a significant
pungi. He chose a
in 1938. His music was eo
Pipe with a natural stem the AIl India Radio, Lucknow
hollow that was longer and broader for

play at the historic moment

tnan the original He made admired that he was invited to
instrument. seven holes on the
of
independence on 15 August 1947.
In recognition
body of the pipe. When he played on it closing and opening of Indian

upon with the greatest awards of

Some of the holes

SOund was produced.The new

on the pipe, sweet,

instrument
beautiful

came
and sonorous

to be known
his talent,

India - he was
the Padma
conferred

Shri, the Padma Bhushan

the Bharat Ratna, the
and the Padma

highest
as shehnaibecause it first heard in the Shah's chambers and Vibhushan. He was awarded
2001. Bismillah Khan has given many
was invented and played by a 'nai' (barber). civilian award in India, in

the film world for a

memorable performances, ventured
into

10. Being born in a family of musicians, Bismillah Khan's love audience with his
very short period, mesmerised international

and passion for music ran deep. Bismillah khan's journey began
Soulful music. As a result of his hard work, passion for the art

at a young age of three. When he watched his uncles practise the

and dedication, awards and recognition kept coming his way.
shehnai. Gradually, he started accompanying his maternal uncle
He was the first Indian to be invited to perform in the Lincoln

Ali Bux to the Vishnu temple of Benaras who was employed

Centre Hall, USA. He also played in international events like

there to play shehnai and learnt a lot from him. He would

and
the World Exposition, Montreal, the Cannes Art Festival

practise for hours and improvise and invent raagas that were
the Osaka Trade Fair. As a token of appreciation, the Teheran
deemed impossible for a shehnai. As years passed, Bismillah
Khan.
government has named an auditorium after Bismillah
became an apprentice of Ali Bux and at the age of fourteen he
 of Music
Sound
The

169

FOR BOARD EXAM

(0) The question
paper
comprises of three
Section A :Reading sections :
Section
B:Writing and
Section Grammar
C:Literature
(i) All
questions are

EXAM () nere
section.
is no overall
compulsory.
choice in question
paper. However,
internal choices are given in edci
(iv) Question

DRILL (V)
section is
numbers
of
1 and
20 marks.
2 in section-A are obiective.
MCOs and very short an swer. Tnis

Question numbers 3 to 6 in Section -B are objective,

section is of 30 marks. MCOs and very long answer.
inis

() Question numbers 7to 10 in Section C are obiective. MCO. short

This section is answer and long answer.
of 30 marks.

Time: 3 hrs.

Max. Marks: 80

SECTION-C
L Evelyn Glennie Listens to
Sound Without I.The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
Hearing It
Read the extract and answer the following
questions :
Read the extract and answer the following questions: 1.
"Soon
Bismillah started accompanying his

1. "One day she noticed uncle, AliBux, to the Vishnu temple of Benaras
a girl playing the
where Bux was employed to play the shehnai.
xylophone and decided that she wanted to play
Ali Bux would play the shehnai and Bismillah
it too. Most of the teacher
discouraged her but would sit captivated for hours on end. Slowly, he
percussionist Ron Forbes spotted her potential." started getting lessons in playing the instrument
(i) What did Evelyn want to play? and would sit practising throughoutthe day."
What was
she told by the teacher? (i) Whom did Bismillah Khan accompany? Who
(i) What did Ron Forbes do? was Ali Bux?
(ii) What attracted Bismillah the most about Ali
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words : bux's profession?

2. What were Evelyn's feelings while leaving Answerthe following questions in 30-40 words :
for Royal Academy of Music? Why?
2. What banning of the musical
led to the
3. Why did' everything suddenly look black' to instrumentPungi from Aurangzeb'scourt?
Evelyn?
3. What did his disciple request Khan Saab?
4. What confession does Evelyn make about What was Khansaab'sreply?
herself?
4. Where did Ustaad Bismillah Khan gave his
first international performance?What was the
Answer the following question in 100-150 words :
reaction?
5.
her fame and accomplishments
Despite
Answer the following question in 100-150 words:
Evelyn Glennie
doesn't accept any hint of heroic 5 Give instances from the life of Ustaad
aenievenent. Give your views on the importance
Bismillah Khan that demonstrateshis love for
of
modesty and humility in order to achieve
Indian classical music as well as his country,
success in life.
India.

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