The sound of music part 2

A1) Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of pungi in the royal residence because it
had a shrill unpleasant sound. Pungi became the generic name for reeded
noisemakers.

A2) The pipe used to make a shehnai has a natural hollow stem which is usually
longer and broader than a pungi. It has seven holes on its body and when played
closing and opening some of these holes, soft and melodious sounds are produced.
While pungi sounds shrill and harsh and is a reeded noise maker.

A3) The shehnai was considered auspicious hence it was traditionally played in
temples and regarded an indispensable component of any North Indian wedding.
Shehnai was also a part of the Naubat or traditional ensemble of nine instruments.
The credit of bringing shehnai as a musical instrument onto the classical stage of
music goes to Ustad Bismillah Khan.

A4) Bismillah Khan found his big break with the opening of All India Radio in
Lucknow in the year 1938. Now his shehnai recital was often heard over the radio
among the masses of the national and he became a popular musician. He became a
household name.

A5) On 15th of august 1947, Bismillah Khan poured his heart out into Rag kafi from
the Red Fort, on the occasion of India’s independence ceremony. With his shehnai
recital Bismillah Khan greeted the national into an era of newfound independence.
Among his elite audiences included Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime
minister of India who later gave his famous 'Tryst with Destiny' speech.

A6) A student of Bismillah Khan once wanted him to head a shehnai school in the
USA, the student also promised him the atmosphere of Benaras by replicating the
temples there. Ustad Bismillah Khan politely refused his student whether if he
should be able to transport the sacred River Ganga to the USA as well. Later
Bismillah Khan confessed his homesickness for Benaras and Dumraon and no matter
where he went, he missed the inspiration the the holy Ganga on the banks of Benaras
and the unique Mattha of Dumraon.