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The Sound of the Music (Part-2)

Short Answer Type Questions :- (each question carries 2/3 marks)

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

Ans. Aurangzeb did not allow the Pungi be played in his royal
residence for it had a shrill unpleasant sound. It created noise only.

b. How is a Shehnai different from pungi?

Ans: A Shehnai is made of a natural hollow stem. They are
different in their shapes and the sound produced by them. Shehnai
is longer and broader than pungi. One has a shrill sound whereas
the other has a melodious sound.

c. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Ans- Bismillah khan got his big break in 1938. The All India
Radio opened in Lucknow and Bismillah khan played shehnai
on radio. He soon became an often heard player on radio. He
became the first Indian to greet the nation with his shehnai from
the Red Fort on 15th August 1947.

d. Where was Shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah

Khan change this?
Ans- The shehnai was traditionally played in royal courts,
temples and weddings. Ustaad Bismillah khan, an undisputed
monarch of shehnai brought this instrument onto the classical
stage.
Next Level Coaching Classes by Masuk Sir (M.A English, B.Ed / B.A English Hons.)
Contact- 9856092313, 7085313481

e. Where did Bishmillah Khan play the Shehnai on 15

August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Ans- Bismillah Khan played the shehnai on 15 August
1947 at the Red Fort. He was the first Indian to greet the
nation with his musical instrument. This event was
historic because We got independence on that day.

f. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai School

in the USA?
Ans- Bismillah Khan refused one of his students request
to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he would
not live away from Hindustan specifically from Benaras
the River Ganga and Dumraon.

g. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that
Bismillah Khan loved India and Benaras.
Ans- The first instance is when he turned down his
student's offer to start a shehnai school in U.S.A. The
second instance is when Khansaab was asked by Shekhar
Gupta about moving to Pakistan during the partition, he
said that he would never leave Benaras.
Next Level Coaching Classes by Masuk Sir (M.A English, B.Ed / B.A English Hons.)
Contact- 9856092313, 7085313481

h.What were the recurring items of Bismillah Khan’s

music?
Ans- 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.

i. How does Bismillah Khan look at his roots?

Ans- Despite the fame that he achieved, Bismillah Khan
always remained where his roots were. He never
accumulated wealth and other materialistic possessions
and lived in humble surroundings in the holy city of
Benares.

j. How did shehnai take birth in India?

Ans- He chose a pipe with natural hallow stem that was
longer and broader than the pungi , and made seven holes
in the body of the pipe. When he played on it,closing and
opening some of these holes ,soft and melodious sounds
were produced. This is how shehnai took birth in India.
Next Level Coaching Classes by Masuk Sir (M.A English, B.Ed / B.A English Hons.)
Contact- 9856092313, 7085313481

4. Long Answer Type Questions (each questions carries

8 marks)

a. Give a brief character sketch of Bismillah Khan.

b. Discuss the achievements of Bismillah Khan as a
Shehnai maestro.
c. How was Bismillah Khan’s music recognized
internationally?