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NCERT Solutions - The Sound of Music

Ques 1:
Ans these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?
2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?

Ans:

1. Evelyn was seventeen years old when she went to the Royal Academy of Music
in London.
2. Her deafness was first noticed by her mother when Evelyn was eight years old. She
was once waiting to play the piano. When her name was called, she did not move. That
was when her mother realized that Evelyn had not heard anything. Her deafness was
confirmed when she was eleven. Her marks had deteriorated and her headmistress had
urged her parents to take her to a specialist. It was then discovered that gradual nerve
damage had severely impaired her hearing.

Ques 2:
Ans each of these questions in a short paragraph (30 – 40 words).

1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
2. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.

Ans:

1. Percussionist Ron Forbes was the first person to notice Evelyn’s potential. He began
by tuning two large drums to different notes. He asked Evelyn not to listen through her
ears but to try and sense the sound in some other manner. Suddenly Evelyn realized that
she could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower drum from the waist down.
Forbes repeated the exercise and Evelyn realized that she could sense certain notes in
different parts of her body.
2. Evelyn always delighted her audience. She had toured the United Kingdom with a
youth orchestra. She had a very hectic international schedule. Apart from the regular
concerts, she gave free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She gave high priority to classes
for young musicians because of which she was a shining inspiration for deaf children.

Ques 3: Ans the question in two or three paragraphs (100 – 150 words).

1. How does Evelyn hear music? 

Ans:
Evelyn heard music by sensing the notes in different parts of her body. When Ron Forbes
tuned two drums and asked her to sense the sound without using her ears, she realized that
she could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower drum from the waist down.
When she played the xylophone, she could sense the sound passing up the stick into her
fingertips. By leaning against the drums, she could feel the resonances flowing into her
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body. On a wooden platform, she removed her shoes so that the vibrations could pass
through her bare feet. She herself said that music poured in through every part of her body.
It tingled in the skin, her cheekbones and even in her hair.
Ques 1:
Tick the right Ans.

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

2. (Bismillah Khan, A barber, Ali Bux) transformed the pungi into a shehnai.
3. Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were (barbers, professional musicians).
4. Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from (Ali Bux, Paigambar Bux,
Ustad Faiyaaz Khan).
5. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to (Afghanistan, U.S.A., Canada).
 

Ans:

1. The pungi was a ‘reeded noisemaker.’

2. A barber transformed the pungi into a shehnai.
3. Bismillah Khan’s paternal ancestors were professional musicians.
4. Bismillah Khan learnt to play the shehnai from Ali Bux.
5. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to Afghanistan.

Ques 2:
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 Anss in class.

Bismillah Khan’s feelings about Positive Negative

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    

 
Ans:

Bismillah Khan’s feelings about Positive Negative

1. teaching children music √  

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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   √

 

  Bismillah Khan’sfeelings about Words in the text

With the coveted award resting on his chest and his eyes 
teaching happiness he said, “All I would like to say is: Teach you
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children music this is Hindustan’s richest tradition; even the West is now
our music.’’

“I just can’t come to terms with the artificiality and gla

2 the film world
world,” he says with emphasis.

A student of his once wanted him to head a shehnai scho

and the student promised to ecreate the atmosphere
replicating the temples there. But Khansaab asked him if
3 ramigting to USA
to transport River Ganga as well. Later he is remember
“That is why whenever I am in a foreign country, I k
see Hindustan.”

Ustad Bismillah Khan’s life is a perfect example of

heritage of India, one that effortlessly accepts that a devout
4 playing at temples
can very naturally play the shehnai every morning at the K
temple.

With the coveted award resting on his chest and his eyes 
happiness he said, “All I would like to say is: Teach you
5 getting the Bharat Ratna
this is Hindustan’s richest tradition; even the West is now
our music.’’

The flowing waters of the Ganga inspired him to improvise

6 the banks of the Ganga
that were earlier considered to be beyond the range of the s

7 leaving Benaras and Dumraon Later he is remembered to have said, “That is why wh

foreign country, I keep yearning to see Hindustan. While in
of only Benaras and the holy Ganga. And while in Ben
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unique mattha of Dumraon.”

 
Ques 3:
Ans these questions in 30 – 40 words.

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

2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event
historic?
6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
7. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India
and Benaras.

Ans:

1. Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi in the royal residence for it had a
shrill and unpleasant sound. It became the generic name for reeded noisemakers.
2. Shehnai is a pipe with a natural hollow stem that is longer and broader than the pungi.
It has seven holes on its body. When it is played, the closing and opening of some of the
holes produces soft and melodious sounds.
3. Traditionally, the shehnai was part of the traditional ensemble of nine instruments
found at royal courts. It was used only in temples and weddings. However, Ustad
Bismillah Khan brought in the change by bringing it onto the classical stage.
4. Bismillah Khan had accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad Music Conference at the
age of fourteen. At the end of his recital, Ustad Faiyaz Khan patted his back and told him
to work hard and he shall make it big in life. He got his big break with the opening of the
All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938. He soon became an often-heard shehnai player on
radio.
5. On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan played the shehnai from the Red Fort. It was a
historic day as India gained independence on that day. He became the first Indian to greet
the nation with his shehnai. His audience included illustrious names such as Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi.
6. Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he could not
live outside India. His student, who had asked him to head the shehnai school, promised
that he would recreate the atmosphere of Benaras by replicating the temples in the city.
However, he wanted to know if his student could also transport River Ganga, which his
student obviously could not. He himself said that whenever he was in a foreign country, he
kept yearning to see Hindustan.
7. Bismillah Khan immensely loved India, particularly Benaras and Dumraon. In his
initial years, the temple of Balaji, Mangala Maiya, and the banks of River Ganga in
Benaras became his favourite haunts where he could practice in peace and solitude. River
Ganga’s flowing waters inspired him to improvise and invent ragas that were once thought
to be beyond the range of shehnai. Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the
U.S.A. because he could not live outside India. His student, who had asked him to head the
shehnai school, promised that he would recreate the atmosphere of Benaras by replicating
the temples in the city. However, he wanted to know if his student could also transport
River Ganga, which his student obviously could not.
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Ques 1:
Complete the following sentences. Beginning with a to-verb, try to Ans the  questions
in brackets.

1. The school sports team hopes __________ (What does it hope to do?)
2. We all want __________ (What do we all want to do?)
3. They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother __________(What did they advise
her to do?)
4. The authorities permitted us to __________ (What did the authorities permit us
to do?)
5. A musician decided to __________ (What did the musician decide to do?)

Ans:

1. The school sports team hopes to do better than the last time.
2. We all want to go on a vacation.
3. They advised the hearing-impaired child’s mother to take her to a specialist.
4. The authorities permitted us to organize a charity event.
5. A musician decided to take India’s music to the world. 

Ques 2:
From the text on Bismillah Khan, find the words and phrases that match
these definitions and write them down. The number of the paragraph where you will
find the words/ phrases has been given for you in brackets.

1. the home of royal people (1) __________

2. the state of being alone (5) __________
3. a part which is absolutely necessary (2) __________
4. to do something not done before (5) __________
5. without much effort (13) __________
6. quickly and in large quantities (9) __________ and __________ 

Ans:

1. The home of royal people (1) the royal residence

2. The state of being alone (5) solitude
3. A part which is absolutely necessary (2) indispensable
4. To do something not done before (5) invent
5. Without much effort (13) effortlessly
6. Quickly and in large quantities (9) thick and fast 

Ques 3:
Tick the right Ans.

1. When something is revived, it (remains dead/lives again).

2. When a government bans something, it wants it (stopped/started).
3. When something is considered auspicious, (welcome it/avoid it).
4. When we take to something, we find it (boring/interesting).
5. When you appreciate something, you (find it good and useful/find it of no use).
6. When you replicate something, you do it (for the first time/for the second time).
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7. When we come to terms with something, it is (still upsetting/no longer upsetting). 

Ans:

1. When something is revived, it lives again.

2. When a government bans something, it wants it stopped.
3. When something is considered auspicious, welcome it.
4. When we take to something, we find it interesting.
5. When you appreciate something, you find it good and useful.
6. When you replicate something, you do it for the second time.
7. When we come to terms with something, it is no longer upsetting 

 
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Question 1: When was Evelyn’s deafness first noticed ? When was it confirmed ?
Answer: Isabel had a doubt about Evelyn’s hearing ability when she did not move when her
name was called to play on the piano. At the age of 11 it was confirmed when she was taken
to a specialist.

Question 2: When and how did Evelyn loose her power of hearing ? 
Answer: Evelyn lost her power of hearing due to gradual nerve damage. At the age of 8 it
was noticed and then at the age of 11 it was confirmed that Evelyn had lost her hearing
ability.

Question 3: Why was Evelyn nervous while going to Royal Academy of Music ?
Answer: Evelyn was nervous while going to the Royal Academy of Music as she was just 16
years old and was fresh from the Scottish farms, to add to her nervousness.

Question 4: How did Evelyn’s deafness come to light ? 

OR
When did Evelyn’s mother notice that something was wrong with her hearing ?
Answer: At the age of 8 when her name was announced to play on piano, she did not
respond. At the age of 11, her marks deteriorated. The headmistress urged her parents to take
her to a specialist and her hearing impairment was discovered.

Question 5: Who helped Evelyn to continue with music ? What did he do and say ?
Answer: When Evelyn wanted to pursue her career in music, everyone discouraged her. It
was a Percussionist Ron Forbes who helped and encouraged her to listen to the music and
feel the music through her body.

Question 6: How did Evelyn hear music despite being deaf ? 

Answer: Evelyn could sense music through her body. While playing on the xylophone, she
could sense music through her fingertips and would learn against drums to sense. On the
wooden floors, she used to remove her shoes and sense music through her feet moving of the
legs.
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Question 7: What is Evelyn’s secret of success and what message does she give to
achievers ?
Answer:Evelyn’s secret of success was strong determination and hard work. The message
that she gives to the achievers is that work hard and get what you want.

Question 8: How has Evelyn Glennie inspired handicapped people ?

Answer: When the handicapped people used to see Evelyn Glennie, they used to say, “If she
can do it, I can”,And so, she resulted in inspiring them.

Question 9: Write down Evelyn’s message for the people ?

Answer: Evelyn’s message to the people is that—Strong determination and hard work with
sincerily / honesty leads to success. Aim for your goal and try to reach your goal with full
determination and concentration.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

Question 1: How did Evelyn Glennie fight with her physical disability ?
Answer: Evelyn Glennie was a very brave girl. She learnt to open her body and mind to the
sounds and vibrations. She used to feel as if music was flowing through her body. So she
joined an orchestra and later the Royal Academy of Music. She did not want to be deprived
of the joy of music that made her happy. She later even gave solo performances on stage in
many countries and became famous.

Question 2: In spite of her towering success Evelyn Glennie does not accept any hint of
heroic achievement.Explain ?
Answer: Evelyn Glennie had a hearing loss and was discouraged by most of the teachers but
she did not give up. Ron Forbes guided her to listen through her body not ears. Eventually,
Evelyn learnt to open her body and mind to sound and vibrations. She scored the highest
marks in the history of Royal Academy of Music. She also captured many top awards and
brought percussion to the front of the orchestra. She has given pleasure to millions and in
spite of this towering success she does ,
not accept any hint of heroic achievement and is a very simple person.

Question 3: Evelyn’s determination to overcome her disability has made her source of
inspiration for deaf children. Comment ?
Answer: When Evelyn became deaf, she was determined to lead a normal life. She was
encouraged by her percussion teacher. She learned to sense music through different parts of
the body and opened her mind and body to vibrations. She could feel higher drum from waist
up and xylophone music through fingertips. She used to remove her shoes on the wooden
floors. She was the master of a thousand instruments and most sought after as a multi –
percussionist.

Question 4: How is Evelyn Glennie helping other with her popularity and skill ?
Answer: Inspite of Evelyn’s deafness she joined the prestigious Royal Academy of Music
and won the “Soloist of the Year” award. Evelyn used to practice for hours learning
languages such as Japanese and French. She earned a lot but was kind at heart. She used to
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give free performances in prisons and hospitals and also proved a personal example of tireless
hard work and firm determination.

Question 5: How did Evelyn succeed in pursuing her interest in music ?

Answer: Evelyn decided not to give up. It was Ron Forbes who recognized her potential and
supported her. He advised her not to listen through her ears but to open her body and mind to
the vibrations. She mastered the art of interpreting different vibrations of sound on her body
to different notes. She could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower one from
the waist down. After the practice she could sense music in different parts of her body. And
by this, Evelyn succeeded in pursuing her interest in music.

VALUE BASED QUESTION 

Question 1: “A problem is only as big as we make it.” This thought has been very
beautifully brought out in the lesson. Discuss?
Answer: Evelyn Glennie is profoundly deaf and cannot hear a word. Thus, she overcame this
difficulty and learnt to listen music from her body. She not only scored highest marks in the
history of the Royal Academy of Music but also became a renowned musician. She is an idol
for a lot of people and a source of inspiration for. them. Her sfory tells us that no problem is
so great that it cannot be overcome.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question 1: How did ‘pungi’ transform into a Shehnai ?
Answer: ‘Pungi’ a musical instrument was banned because of its shrill and unpleasant sound.
But a nai modified and perfected it and played it for the first time an Shah’s chamber, thus it
came to be known as ‘Shehnai’.

Question 2: Who had brought shehnai to the classical Stage ? What was he honoured
with ?
Answer: Shehnai was brought to the classical stage by Ustad Bismillah Khan. He started
picking up the finger nuances of Shehnai under the guidance of his maternal uncle Ali Bux.
He had been honoured with Padma Bhushan, Padmashree and Padma Vibhushan.

Question 3: 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 outside India. He was in love with Benares and Dumraon and missed it whenever he was
in abroad.

Question 4: Why did emperor Aurangazeb ban the playing of Pungi in the royal
residence?
Answer: Aurangazeb banned the playing of the Pungi in the royal residence because of its
shrill unpleasant sound. It was regarded more as a noise maker than a musical instrument.

Question 5: What is the difference between a Pungi and a Shehnai ? 

Answer: The difference between a Pungi and Shehnai can be noticed by the difference in
their shapes and the sound produced by them. A Shehnai is longer than a Pungi. The latter
has a shrill, unpleasant sound whereas, the former has a soft, melodious sound.
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Question 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 was a
true patriot and loved India a lot specially the banks of the river Ganga.

Question 7: How do we know that sound of Shehnai is considered auspicious ?

Answer: We know that the sound of the Shehnai is considered auspicious because it is
played in temples, and is a must for all happy occasions like marriages.

Question 8: What were the recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music ? 

Answer: The recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music was the relationships between the
human beings and the flowing waters of the Ganga. He thought that Benares and Dumraon
were the most wonderful towns of the world.

Question 9: How did “Pungi” get its new name ? What was it ? 
Answer: Pungi was modified and perfected by a barber which was very much appreciated by
the emperor.
Since, it was played for the first time in Shah’s chamber by a Nai, it came to be known as
‘Shehnai.’

Question 10: What place did Shehnai have in the past ? What place has it now ? 
Answer: In the past, the Shehnai was a part of the traditional ensemble of nine instruments
found at royal courts. Then, it was used in temples and weddings but now it is used also in
the classical concerts.

Question 11: When and how did Bismillah Khan get the break ? 
Answer: Bismillah Khan, at the age of 14, accompanied his uncle to Allahabad Music
Conference where Ustad Fayaz Khan patted his shoulder. He got encouraged and worked
hard and got a big break from the All India Radio in 1938.

Question 12: Where did Bismillah Khan play the Shehnai on 15th Aug 1947 ? Why was
the event historic ?
Answer: Bismillah Khan was the first Indian to greet the nation with Shehnai and played
‘Raag Kafi’ from the Red Fort. The event was historic because the audience included Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru, who gave the famous speech – Tryst with Destiny. .

Question 13: Why did Bismillah Khan regularly go to the nearby Bihariji temple in his
childhood and what did he earn ?
Answer: At the age of 5, Bismillah Khan would regularly visit the Bihariji temple to sing
Bhojpuri “Chaitya”, For his melodious singing he used to earn a laddu weighing 1.25 kg.
from the local Bhojpuri King.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question 1: “There is always a teacher to bring out the latent potential of a pupil/’
Justify with reference to the role played by Ron Forbes and Ustad Faiyaz Khan in the
lives of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan?
Answer: Teachers craft us to become better individuals both personally and professionally.
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Ron Forbes understood Evelyn’s passion for music. He taught Evelyn the nuances of hearing
music not through her ears but through her body. He taught her to feel the vibrations in her
hands and parts of legs to get the pitch. So, he crafted her to be more musical and confident.
Bismillah Khan’s teacher and mentor was his maternal uncle Ali Bux. Bismillah used to be
transfixed when Ali Bux used to play Shehnai. As a child, Bismillah used to accompany his
material uncle to Vishnu Temple of Benares where Ali Bux was employed to play Shehnai.
Bismillah picked up the finer nuances of Shehnai and practiced for hours on the banks of
river Ganga. He attained perfection only because of his uncle and mentor.

Question 2: Give a brief character sketch of Ustad Bismillah Khan?

Answer: Ustad Bismillah Khan was a Shehnai master of great national and international
fame. He was a great musician. Ali Bux, his maternal unde perfected him in music. Shehnai
was brought to the classical stage by Ustad Bismillah Khan. He practiced for hours and
worked very hard to attain perfection. It was his melodious music that made him the first
Indian to greet tire independent India. Ustad Bismillah Khan created many new rags. He was
given many awards and he even received the “Bharat Ratna”. He was a true patriot who
declined many offers to settle aborad. He was a true artist but a simple man. He had great
regard for Hindustani Classical Music.

Question 3: How did the young Bismillah develop his interest in Shehnai ?
Answer: Bismillah was fascinated watching his uncle practice the Shehnai when he was only
three. He was deeply fascinated by the music of Shehnai. Soon Bismillah started
accompanying his uncle Ali Bux, to the Vishnu Temple of Benares where Bux was employed
to play Shehnai. Bismillah picked up the finer nuances of Shehnai and practiced for hours on
the banks of river Ganga. The themes of his music deeply affected by the sounds of flowing
water of the Ganga. At the age of 14, Bismillah accompanied his uncle to Allahabad music
conference where Ustad Fayaz Khan patted his shoulder which inspired and encouraged him
to work harder.

Question 4: How was Bismillah Khan’s music recognized internationally ? 

Answer: Bismillah Khan was not only renowned in India iMt also internationally. He
promoted Shehnai to international levels of participating in the world exposition, Cannes Art
festival and Osaka Trade Fair. He became the first Indian to be invited to perform at the
prestigious Lincoln Central Hall in the United States of America. So well known did he
become internationally that an auditorium in Tehran was named after him, “Tahar Mosiquee
Ustaad Bismillah Khan.”

Question 5: Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a Shehnai school in the U.S.A.? ,
Answer: Bismillah Khan was exceedingly fond of Benares and Dumraon. They were the
most wonderful towns of the world for him. The students promised to recreate the
atmosphere of Benares, but he asked if they would be able to transport River Ganga as well.
Whenever, he was in a foreign country he yearned for Hindustan. In Mumbai also he thought
of only Benares and the holy Ganga. Thus, herefused to start a Shehnai School in the U.S.A.
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VALUE BASED QUESTION

Question 1: Do you think Bismillah Khan had very pure and deep feelings for India ?
Answer: Yes, Bismillah Khan had very pure and deep rooted feelings for India especially for
thfe banks of River Ganga and Benares. His love was so profound that he even refused to go
to the U.S.A. to start up a schooL He did not even enjoy in Mumbai as he found the life to be
very artificial. He was deeply connected to the banks of River Ganga and Benares.