English Literature | Class 9 | Question Bank Solutions | Prose Section; Lesson 2: The Sound of Music (I) Evelyn Glennie (II) Bismillah Khan.

“The Sound of Music – Part I: Evelyn Glennie” by Deborah Cowley

1. Why did these men give trouble to Evelyn?
(a) Evelyn couldn’t read their eyes
(b) Evelyn couldn’t read their lips ✅
(c) Evelyn couldn’t read their smile
(d) They spoke very low

2. When did Evelyn feel everything so dark in life?
(a) When she was advised to go to a deaf school
(b) When she was advised to use hearing aids and go to the deaf school ✅
(c) When she performed poorly at the examination
(d) When she failed in her music audition

3. What was Ron Forbes' advice to Evelyn?
(a) To score well in the exam
(b) To play the guitar
(c) To hear the music through other parts of the body rather than ears ✅
(d) To travel the world

4. What is the name of the master percussionist who praised Evelyn?
(a) James Brown
(b) James Blades ✅
(c) James Horn
(d) James Woodson

5. Which foreign languages did Evelyn learn?
(a) French
(b) Chinese
(c) Basic Japanese
(d) Both (a) and (c) ✅

6. What did Evelyn want to spread through her music?
(a) message of love, peace and happiness ✅
(b) music is not difficult
(c) music is not difficult for deaf people
(d) deaf people can learn music

7. What did Ron Forbes advise Evelyn?
(a) forget music
(b) listen to music
(c) feel music with her body ✅
(d) none of these

8. What did Evelyn want to pursue?
(a) fashion
(b) study
(c) music ✅
(d) none

9. What was life for Evelyn?
(a) dance
(b) nature
(c) music ✅
(d) all of these

10. Who spotted Evelyn’s potential?
(a) her father
(b) friends
(c) mother
(d) Ron Forbes ✅

11. When was Evelyn’s deafness confirmed?
(a) by the age of 5
(b) by the age of 6
(c) by the age of 11 ✅
(d) by the age of 1

12. How old was Evelyn when she went to Royal Music Academy?
(a) 17 years old ✅
(b) 18 years old
(c) 19 years old
(d) Below 17

13. Who was deaf in the lesson?
(a) Evelyn ✅
(b) Ron Forbes
(c) Bismillah Khan
(d) Evelyn’s mother

14. When was Evelyn’s deafness noticed?
(a) when she was 18
(b) when she was 19
(c) when she was 8 ✅
(d) none of these

15. Who helped Evelyn to continue with her music?
(a) her mother
(b) teacher
(c) father
(d) Ron Forbes ✅

16. Which places had Evelyn worked for?
(a) poor children
(b) prisons and hospitals ✅
(c) schools
(d) none of these

17. What was life for Evelyn?
(a) dance
(b) nature
(c) music ✅
(d) all

18. Where was the Royal Music Academy?
(a) The U.S.A
(b) Birmingham
(c) Paris
(d) London ✅

19. What did Evelyn want to pursue?
(a) fashion
(b) study
(c) music ✅
(d) none

20. Why did people discourage Evelyn to pursue music?
(a) it was not considered good
(b) it was difficult
(c) it was expensive
(d) because she was deaf ✅

21. What did Ron Forbes advise Evelyn?
(a) forget music
(b) listen to music
(c) feel music with her body ✅
(d) none of these

22. How did Evelyn hear music?
(a) through drums
(b) through fingers
(c) by feeling vibrations through her different parts of body - fingers, hair, feet ✅
(d) All of these

23. What did Evelyn want to spread through her music?
(a) message of love, peace and happiness ✅
(b) music is not difficult
(c) music is not difficult for deaf people
(d) deaf people can learn music

Part II – Assertion and Reason

1. Assertion (A):
The younger girl of seventeen years was nervous yet excited to feel the vibrations of the approaching train.

Reason (R):
The girl is an aspiring musician who faced the most profound challenge of deafness since childhood.

Correct answer:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A ✅

2.

Assertion (A): Evelyn Glennie’s headmistress urged her parents to take her to a specialist. They were advised to fit her with hearing aids and send her to a school for the deaf.
Reason (R): By the time she was eleven her marks had deteriorated in school.
✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

3.

Assertion (A): Evelyn soon discovered that she could sense certain notes of music in different parts of her body.
Reason (R): She had learnt to open her mind and body to sound and vibrations with Ron Forbes’s exercise.
✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

4.

Assertion (A): She toured the United Kingdom with a youth orchestra and by the time she was sixteen she had decided to make music her life.
Reason (R): She gradually moved from orchestral work to solo performances.
✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

5.

Assertion (A): She reached at the top place with a mastery of some thousand instruments, hectic international schedule.
Reason (R): She knew she could reach her destination with clear goal and hard work.
✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

6.

Assertion (A): Evelyn could speak flawlessly with a Scottish lilt.
Reason (R): She missed many words in two hours long discussion with the author.
✅ Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

7.

Assertion (A): When she plays the xylophone, she can sense the sound passing up the stick into her fingertips. She can feel the resonances of drum flowing into her body.
Reason (R): Music pours in through every part of her body, it tingles the skin, her cheekbones and her hair.
✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

8.

Assertion (A): Master percussionist James Blades stated that God might have taken her hearing but he had “given her back something extraordinary.”
Reason (R): She was presented with the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Prestigious Soloist of the Year in 1991.
✅ Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

9.
Assertion (A): Evelyn is just a shining inspiration to deaf children that there is nowhere they cannot go.
Reason (R): Apart from regular concerts, she also gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She also gives high priority to classes for young musicians.
✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

10.
Assertion (A): Evelyn Glennie has accomplished more than most people younger of her age.
Reason (R): Evelyn has brought percussion to the front of the orchestra and demonstrated that it can be moving.
✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

🔸 11. Arrange the sentences in the correct sequence from the story “Evelyn Glennie”:

(P) Evelyn was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her interest in music.
(Q) Evelyn is a shining inspiration for deaf children.
(R) Evelyn managed to learn French and master basic Japanese.
(S) But this aspiring musician faced a bigger challenge than most: she was profoundly deaf.

✅ Correct answer: (C) QRPS

🔸 Very Short Type Questions:

Who heard the sound without hearing it?
Answer: Evelyn Glennie.
What was the extraordinary did Evelyn have?
Answer: She could sense music through vibrations.
How did Evelyn realise that the train was about to come?
Answer: She felt the vibrations of the approaching train.
Where had Evelyn got admission to learn music?
Answer: Royal Academy of Music, London.
What was the name of Evelyn's mother?
Answer: Isabel Glennie.
What is hearing aid?
Answer: A device that helps people with hearing loss to hear sounds.
Who had suggested Evelyn's parents to send her to day school?
Answer: The headmistress.
What was the decision taken by Evelyn?
Answer: To lead a normal life and pursue music.
What is xylophone?
Answer: A musical instrument with wooden bars that are struck to produce sound.
Who is called percussionist?
Answer: A person who plays percussion instruments like drums, xylophone, etc.
Who spotted the potentiality of Evelyn of music?
Answer: Ron Forbes.
What did Ron Forbes do with drums?
Answer: He tuned two large drums to different notes.
What did Ron Forbes think to teach Evelyn?
Answer: To feel music through different parts of her body.
Where did Evelyn go with a youth orchestra?
Answer: To a tour of the United Kingdom.
Who gave trouble to Evelyn?
Answer: Her teachers and classmates.
Name the award given to Evelyn for performing solo?
Answer: Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious Soloist of the Year Award.
Who was the writer of "The Sound of Music – Evelyn Glennie"?
Answer: Deborah Cowley.
Who advised Evelyn's parents to consult with a doctor?
Answer: Her headmistress.
The two languages learned by Evelyn after becoming deaf –
Answer: French and basic Japanese.
Evelyn got the Royal Philharmonic society's prestigious soloist of the year Award in the year –
Answer: 1991

🌟 Q.21 Extract + Questions and Answers

📜 Extract:

It was her first day at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London and daunting enough for any teenager fresh from a Scottish farm. But this aspiring musician faced a bigger challenge than most.

(a) Who is referred to as the ‘aspiring musician’?

Answer: The ‘aspiring musician’ refers to Evelyn Glennie.

(b) How old was this ‘aspiring musician’ when she went to the Royal Academy?

Answer: She was sixteen years old when she went to the Royal Academy of Music in London.

🌟 Q.22 Extract + Answers

Extract:

Evelyn Glennie’s loss of hearing had been gradual. Her mother remembers noticing something was wrong when the eight-year-old Evelyn was waiting to play the piano.
“They called her name and she didn’t move. I suddenly realised she hadn’t heard,” says Isabel Glennie.

Questions and Answers:

(a) Who is Isabel Glennie?
Answer: Isabel Glennie is Evelyn Glennie’s mother.

(b) Why did Evelyn Glennie not move to play the piano?
Answer: Evelyn did not move because she hadn’t heard her name being called due to her hearing loss.

(c) When was her deafness first noticed?
Answer: Her deafness was first noticed when she was eight years old and didn’t respond when her name was called.

(d) How did Evelyn lose her hearing?
Answer: Evelyn lost her hearing gradually due to nerve damage.

🌟 Q.23 Extract + Answers

Extract:

They were advised that she should be fitted with hearing aids and sent to a school for the deaf.

Questions and Answers:

(a) Who are ‘they’? By whom were they advised?
Answer: ‘They’ refers to Evelyn’s parents. They were advised by the headmistress of Evelyn’s school.

(b) Who is ‘she’?
Answer: ‘She’ refers to Evelyn Glennie.

(c) What was the course of action recommended for her?
Answer: It was recommended that Evelyn be fitted with hearing aids and sent to a special school for the deaf.

(d) How had her mother realised that Evelyn was having problems with her hearing?
Answer: Her mother realised it when Evelyn didn’t respond to her name being called while she was waiting to play the piano.

🌟 Q.24 Extract + Answers

Extract:

But Evelyn was not going to give up. She was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her interest in music. One day, she noticed a girl playing a xylophone and decided that she wanted to play it too. Most of the teachers discouraged her but percussionist Ron Forbes spotted her potential.

Questions and Answers:

(a) Evelyn was not going to give up. Why was she not going to give up?
Answer: Evelyn was determined to lead a normal life and follow her passion for music despite her deafness.

(b) What did she want to do?
Answer: She wanted to learn and play the xylophone.

(c) Why did her teachers not encourage her?
Answer: Her teachers discouraged her because they believed a deaf person could not learn or play music.

(d) Who encouraged her? What did he say?
Answer: Percussionist Ron Forbes encouraged her. He told her not to listen through her ears but to try sensing the music through different parts of her body.

🌟 Q.25 Extract + Questions and Answers

📜 Extract:

She never looked back from that point onwards. She toured the United Kingdom with a youth orchestra and by the time she was sixteen, she had decided to make music her life.

(a) Who is ‘she’?

Answer: ‘She’ refers to Evelyn Glennie, the world-famous percussionist.

(b) What does ‘that point’ refer to?

Answer: ‘That point’ refers to the moment Evelyn was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her interest in music despite being deaf.

(c) Where did she go with a youth orchestra?

Answer: She went on a tour of the United Kingdom with a youth orchestra.

(d) What was her age when she decided to make music her life?

Answer: She was sixteen years old when she decided to make music her life.

Q.25 (Extract Based Questions):

(a) Who is ‘she’?
Answer: She is Evelyn Glennie.

(b) What does ‘that point’ refer to?
Answer: ‘That point’ refers to the moment Evelyn decided to make music her life.

(c) Where did she go with a youth orchestra?
Answer: She went on a tour of the United Kingdom.

(d) What was her age when she decided to make music her life?
Answer: Sixteen years old.

Q.26 (True/False Statements):

(a) Evelyn went to the Royal Academy of Arts.
Answer: False (She went to the Royal Academy of Music)

(b) Ron Forbes encouraged Evelyn by telling her not to listen through ears but some way.
Answer: True

(c) Evelyn was twenty one when she decided to make music her life.
Answer: False (She was sixteen)

(d) Deborah Cowley says, “she is a shining inspiration for deaf children.”
Answer: True

Section C: Short Type Questions (2/3 marks)

How did Evelyn’s deafness come to light?
Answer: Evelyn’s deafness was discovered when she was eight years old. Her mother noticed that she didn’t respond when her name was called and her marks deteriorated. A specialist confirmed gradual hearing loss due to nerve damage.
What was told by Evelyn’s headmistress to Evelyn’s parents to do? Why?
Answer: Evelyn’s headmistress advised her parents to send her to a school for the deaf. She thought Evelyn wouldn't be able to cope in a normal school.
Who first spotted Evelyn’s potential in music? What did he advise her to do?
Answer: Ron Forbes, a percussionist, first spotted her potential. He advised her to feel the music through different parts of her body instead of listening through ears.
How did Ron Forbes help Evelyn?
Answer: Ron Forbes tuned two drums to different notes and encouraged Evelyn to feel the vibrations in different parts of her body. This helped her sense music through vibrations.
How did Evelyn become a great player in xylophone?
Answer: Evelyn practiced tirelessly, using her sense of vibrations to master the xylophone. She could feel the vibrations through her fingertips and body, which helped her excel.
How did Evelyn feel music?
Answer: Evelyn felt music through vibrations. She sensed them in her skin, cheekbones, hair, and parts of her body.
Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Answer: Ron Forbes helped her. He encouraged her not to listen through ears but feel the vibrations and taught her to sense music differently.
Name the awards won by Evelyn as a percussionist.
Answer: Evelyn won the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Soloist of the Year Award in 1991 and many international awards.
Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.
Answer: Evelyn performs in prisons, hospitals, and schools. She also gives free concerts for charity and performs globally.
What is Evelyn’s main achievement?
Answer: Evelyn became the world’s most renowned percussionist despite being deaf, and has inspired millions through her music.
How did Evelyn become an inspirational figure for the handicapped?
Answer: Evelyn showed that physical disabilities do not limit talent. Her hard work and success have inspired many, especially the handicapped, to pursue their dreams.

Section D: Long or Essay Type Questions (Marks: 4/5)

How does Evelyn hear music?
Answer: Evelyn does not hear music in the traditional way. Being deaf, she senses the vibrations of the sound through different parts of her body—skin, hair, cheekbones, and even her feet. She learns to distinguish instruments and notes based on how and where the vibrations hit her. This extraordinary ability allows her to play a wide range of instruments and perform solo concerts worldwide. She has trained herself with great determination to ‘hear’ music beyond hearing.
What role did Ron Forbes play in Evelyn’s life?
Answer: Ron Forbes played a crucial role in Evelyn's musical journey. At a time when others discouraged her due to her deafness, Ron Forbes believed in her talent. He tuned two drums to different pitches and told Evelyn to feel the sound rather than hear it. He taught her how to sense music through vibrations in her body. His unique approach gave Evelyn the confidence to pursue music and helped unlock her hidden potential.
Sketch the character of Evelyn.
Answer: Evelyn Glennie is a remarkable and inspiring personality. She is determined, courageous, and hardworking. Despite being profoundly deaf by the age of eleven, she pursued her passion for music with unwavering dedication. Her willpower, resilience, and refusal to give up made her one of the world’s greatest percussionists. She is also humble and uses her success to help others, performing for charity and supporting causes for the disabled. Evelyn is a true symbol of strength, positivity, and inspiration.

4. Give an account of Evelyn’s journey from an eight-year-old deaf girl to a world-class percussionist.

Answer:
Evelyn Glennie began losing her hearing gradually at the age of eight. Her deafness was confirmed when she was eleven. Despite advice to send her to a school for the deaf, Evelyn was determined to live a normal life and follow her passion for music. Her talent was recognized by percussionist Ron Forbes, who taught her to feel music through vibrations in her body. With determination, hard work, and constant practice, Evelyn mastered the art of percussion. She later secured admission to the Royal Academy of Music in London at sixteen and went on to become a world-class percussionist, performing globally and winning prestigious awards. Her journey is a remarkable example of overcoming adversity through perseverance.

5. How did Evelyn set an example for the handicapped people?

Answer:
Evelyn Glennie proved that physical limitations cannot stop someone from achieving their dreams. Being profoundly deaf, she did not let her disability hold her back. She mastered music by sensing vibrations and became one of the world’s most famous percussionists. Evelyn’s achievements have inspired millions, especially people with disabilities. She performs in hospitals, prisons, and schools, motivating others through her actions. People often say, “If she can do it, I can,” making her a true role model for the handicapped.

Q.6. Explain with reference to the context:

(a) “I had learnt to open my mind and body to sounds and vibrations.” The rest was sheer determination and hard work.

Answer:
Evelyn Glennie spoke these words to describe how she overcame her deafness. Unable to hear sounds, she trained herself to feel musical vibrations through her body. Her success did not come easily—it required focus, open-mindedness, and intense effort. This quote highlights her inner strength and dedication to mastering music.

(b) “If you work hard and know where you are going, you’ll get there.”

Answer:
This quote reflects Evelyn’s strong belief in hard work and determination. She followed her passion for music with clear goals and relentless effort. It serves as an inspiring message for others to stay focused and keep working toward their dreams.

(c) “She has given inspiration to those who are handicapped, people who look to her and say, ‘If she can do it, I can.’”

Answer:
This statement emphasizes Evelyn’s role as an inspirational figure. Her success story has encouraged countless people, especially the differently-abled, to believe in their potential. Her life proves that no obstacle is too great if one has courage and commitment.

Part 2: "Bismillah Khan"

MCQ and VSA:(1Mark)

1. Bismillah Khan was called
(a) Khansaab
(b) Bismillhasaab
(c) Kingsaab
✅ (d) Ustadsaaab

2. Which is India’s highest civilian award?
(a) the Padmashri
(b) the Padma Bhushan
(c) the Padma Vibhushan
✅ (d) the Bharat Ratna

3. Tahar Mosiquee Ustaad Bismillah Khan auditorium is situated in:
(a) Lahore
(b) Lucknow
(c) Teheran
✅ (d) Baghdad

4. Where is Lincoln Center Hall situated?
(a) UK
✅ (b) the USA
(c) Canada
(d) France

5. Of the following, which is Bismillah Khan’s composition?
(a) Dil ka khilona hai toot gaya
(b) Mere khuda mujhko na bhoolana
✅ (c) Main Tere dar to aaya Noon
(d) Ye Dil ka taranaa hai

6. On August 15, 1947, which Raag was played by Bismillah Khan from the Red Fort?
(a) Raag Malhaar
(b) Raag Deepak
✅ (c) Raag Kafi
(d) Raag Megh

7. Who was Ali Bux?
(a) Bismillah’s father
(b) Bismillah’s grandfather
✅ (c) Bismillah’s maternal uncle
(d) Bismillah’s friend

8. What was Bismillah Khan’s grandfather?
(a) a soldier
(b) an actor
(c) a courtier
✅ (d) the shehnai Nawaz of the Bhojpur King’s court

9. Where did Bismillah Khan regularly go to sing Bhojpuri thalat?
✅ (a) Bihariji Temple
(b) Jama Masjid
(c) Rumpurva Temple
(d) Durga Temple

10. What credit is given to Ustad Bismillah Khan regarding shehnai?
(a) inventing shehnai
(b) inventing pungi
✅ (c) bringing shehnai onto the classical stage
(d) none of these

11. What was the source of inspiration for Bismillah Khan?
(a) Red Fort
(b) Royal Palaces
✅ (c) Ganga Ghats
(d) None of these

12. Shehnai is a refined version of which instrument?
(a) musical instrument
(b) mouth organ
(c) Guitar
✅ (d) Pungi

13. Why did Bismillah refuse to go to the U.S.A.?
(a) because the Shehnai had no future there
✅ (c) because of his love for Banaras and river Ganges

14. Where was the Shehnai played traditionally?
(a) In temples
(b) In wedding ceremonies
(c) Auspicious ceremonies
✅ (d) all of these

15. How is the Shehnai different from the Pungi?
(a) Shehnai has a better sound
(b) Shehnai looks more beautiful
(c) Shehnai is made of wood
✅ (d) All of these

16. Why was playing Pungi in Aurangzeb’s palace banned?
(a) it had a sharp sound
(b) it wasn’t good
(c) it was unpleasant
✅ (d) all of these

17. What did Aurangzeb ban in his palace?
(a) playing of Pungi
(b) playing Sitar
(c) playing music
✅ (d) none

18. Why was playing Pungi in Aurangzeb’s palace banned?
(Same as Q16)
✅ (d) all of these

19. Who thought of improving the sound of the Pungi?
(a) a musician
(b) a singer
✅ (c) a barber
(d) none

20. How is the Shehnai different from the Pungi?
(Same as Q15)
✅ (d) All of these

21. Who changed the perception of the Shehnai?
(a) Tansen
(b) Evelyn
✅ (c) Bismillah Khan
(d) all of these

22. Where was the Shehnai played traditionally?
(Same as Q14)
✅ (d) all of these

23. When did Bismillah get his first big break as a Shehnai performer?
✅ (a) in 1938, when All India Radio came into existence

24. Where did Bismillah play the Shehnai on 15th August 1947?
(a) at Ganga Ghat
(b) in Banaras
✅ (c) near Red Fort
(d) at Kaashi

25. Why was the event of Shehnai Playing on 15th August a historic one?
(a) Bismillah became popular
(b) people appreciated his performance
(c) it was Independence day
✅ (d) All of these

26. From where did Shehnai get its name?
✅ (a) From barber (Nai in Hindi) and King (Shah in Hindi)

27. Where did Bismillah give his first break through performance?
(a) at the Red Fort
(b) at Varanasi
✅ (c) At All India Radio
(d) The U.S.A

28. According to the lesson, who was present on the event of 15th August, 1947?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Rajendra Prasad
✅ (d) All of these

29. Who played Shehnai at King’s palace?
✅ (a) a barber
(b) a musician
(c) a singer
(d) a courtman

Part II: Assertion and Reason section of the Bismillah Khan

1. Assertion (A): Shehnai is the revived form of pungi, the soft and melodious sound of which impressed everyone.
Reason (R): A barber of a family of musicians chose a pipe which was longer and broader than pungi with a natural hollow stem. He made seven holes on the body of the pipe. Thus, the pipe made melodious sound when he was playing it by opening and closing the holes.
✅ (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

2. Assertion (A): The shehnai is still played in temples and it is an indispensable component of any north Indian wedding.
Reason (R): Ustad Bismillah Khan was responsible to bring this instrument onto the classical stage of India.
✅ (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

3. Assertion (A): Ustad Bismillah Khan earned the highest civilian award of India – the Bharat Ratna at 70 years of age.
Reason (R): Five-year-old boy Bismillah Khan would go to the nearby Bihariji temple regularly to sing the Bhojpuri Chaita, at the end of which he earned a 1.25 kg weighing laddu as prize given by the local maharaja.
✅ (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

4. Assertion (A): Bismillah Khan belonged to a well-known family of musicians from Bihar.
Reason (R): His father Paigambar Bux, grandfather Rasool Bux Khan and other paternal ancestors were great shehnai players.
✅ (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

5. Assertion (A): The temple of Balaji and Mangala Maiya and the banks of river Ganga became young apprentice Bismillah’s favourite spots to practice playing shehnai in solitude.
Reason (R): The flowing water of river Ganga inspired Bismillah Khan to improve and invent ragas that were considered earlier to be beyond the range of shehnai.
✅ (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

6. Assertion (A): With the opening of All India Radio, Bismillah Khan got his big break in 1938.
Reason (R): Ustad Faiyaz Khan patted young Bismillah’s back at the end of his recital at the Allahabad music conference and said to work hard and he would make it.
✅ (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

7. Assertion (A): Bismillah Khan became the first Indian to greet the nation with his shehnai after independence.
Reason (R): He poured his heart out into Raag Kafi from the Red Fort to an audience which included Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
✅ (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

8. Assertion (A): Film director Vijay Bhatt was so impressed by hearing Bismillah playing at a festival he named a film after the instrument called Gunj Uthi Shehnai.
Reason (R): Bismillah Khan first visited Afghanistan, the king Zahir Shah was so impressed by him that he gifted his priceless Persian carpets and other souvenirs.
✅ (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

9. Assertion (A): Bismillah Khan was the first Indian to be invited to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Center Hall in the United States of America.
Reason (R): He became so famous internationally that an auditorium in Alabama was named after him.
✅ (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

10. Assertion (A): A student of Bismillah Khan once wanted him to head a shehnai school in the USA and the student promised to recreate the atmosphere of Benaras by replicating the temples there.
Reason (R): Though Bismillah Khan travelled all over the world, he was exceedingly fond of Benaras and Dumraon which remained the most wonderful towns of the world to him.
✅ (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

B. Very Short Type Questions (1 Mark Each):

1. Who has banned the musical instrument called pungi?
Ans: Emperor Aurangzeb

2. Why did Aurangzeb not allow the pungi be played in his royal residence?
Ans: Because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound.

3. Who had made the new instrument called shehnai?
Ans: A barber from a family of musicians.

4. Why was shehnai played only on good occasions?
Ans: Because its sound was considered auspicious.

5. Where did Bismillah Khan live?
Ans: In Benaras (Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh.

6. Where did Bismillah Khan go to sing ‘Chaita’?
Ans: At the Bihariji temple.

7. What was the weight of the laddu?
Ans: 1.25 kg.

8. What was the award earned by Bismillah Khan at the age of 80?
Ans: Bharat Ratna.

9. Who is the grandfather of Bismillah Khan?
Ans: Rasool Bux Khan.

10. What is the name of Bismillah Khan’s father?
Answer: Paigambar Bux

11. What is the name of Bismillah Khan's uncle?
Answer: Ali Bux

12. Who was impressed by the performance of Bismillah Khan in Allahabad Conference?
Answer: Ustad Faiyaz Khan

13. What was the raag played by Ustaad Bismillah Khan on the occasion of the Independence of India at Red Fort?
Answer: Raag Kafi

14. What was the famous speech of Jawaharlal Nehru on the occasion of the Independence of India?
Answer: “Tryst with Destiny”

15. Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of a musical instrument called pungi in the royal residence for it had a shrill unpleasant sound. Pungi became the generic name for dreaded noisemakers. Few had thought that it would one day be revived. A barber of a family of professional musicians, who had access to the royal palace, decided to improve the tonal quality of the pungi.

(a) Why did the Emperor Aurangzeb ban the pungi?
Answer: Because it had a shrill unpleasant sound.

(b) How was the pungi revived?
Answer: A barber improved its tonal quality.

(d) What was its new name? Why?
Answer: Shehnai — because it was played in the Shah’s chambers by a nai (barber).

16. Few had thought that it would one day be revived. A barber of a family of professional musicians, who had access to the royal palace, decided to improve the tonal quality of the pungi.

(a) What does ‘it’ refer to?
Answer: The pungi.

(b) Why did ‘it’ need to be revived?
Answer: Because it was banned for being unpleasant but had potential.

(d) Did he succeed in improving ‘it’? If yes, how?
Answer: Yes, he made it melodious and named it shehnai.

17. As the story goes, since it was first played in the Shah’s chambers and was played by a nai (barber), the instrument was named the shehnai.

(a) What does ‘it’ refer to?
Answer: Shehnai

(b) What is the significance of the instrument being played in the royal court?
Answer: It shows its acceptance as a classical instrument.

(d) Where was the instrument traditionally played?
Answer: In temples and weddings.

18. Till recently it was used only in temples and weddings. The credit for bringing this instrument onto the classical stage goes to Ustad Bismillah Khan.

(a) Which instrument is being referred to as ‘it’ in the extract?
Answer: Shehnai

(b) When and where was ‘it’ generally played? Why?
Answer: In temples and weddings, for auspiciousness.

(d) How did Bismillah Khan bring the shehnai to the classical stage?
Answer: By performing it on national and international platforms.

19. As a five-year-old, Bismillah Khan played gilli-danda near a pond in the ancient estate of Dumraon in Bihar. He would regularly go to the nearby Bihariji temple to sing the Bhojpuri ‘Chaita’, at the end of which he would earn a big laddu weighing 1.25 kg, a prize given by the local Maharaja.

(a) Where did Bismillah Khan grow up?
Answer: Dumraon in Bihar

(b) How did Bismillah Khan spend his childhood?
Answer: By playing games and going to the temple.

(d) Which musical instrument did Bismillah Khan play? From whom did he learn it?
Answer: Shehnai — from his uncle, Ali Bux.

20. For years to come the temple of Balaji and Mangala Maiya and the banks of the Ganga became the young apprentice’s favourite haunts where he could practise in solitude. The flowing waters of the Ganga inspired him to improvise and invent raagas that were earlier considered to be beyond the range of the shehnai.

(a) Who does “the young apprentice” refer to?
Answer: Bismillah Khan

(b) What kind of impact did the waters of the Ganga have on ‘him’?
Answer: They inspired his creativity and musical improvisation.

21. Say whether the following statements are true or false:

(a) Bismillah Khan was born in Bihar.
Answer: True

(b) Bismillah Khan was bestowed the ‘Bharat Ratna’ award.
Answer: True

(c) Bismillah Khan was the second Indian to greet the nation with the shehnai.
Answer: False – He was the first Indian to greet the nation with the shehnai on Independence Day.

C. Short type questions (Marks: 2/3)

1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the musical instrument, pungi?
Answer: Emperor Aurangzeb banned the pungi because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound.

2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Answer: A shehnai has a softer, more melodious sound than a pungi. It is used in classical music, while pungi was considered noisy.

3. What was done by the barber to improve pungi as shehnai?
Answer: The barber improved the tonal quality of the pungi and made it melodious. He gave it a new form and it came to be known as the shehnai.

4. Cite briefly the early life of Bismillah Khan.
Answer: Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon, Bihar. As a child, he played gilli-danda and visited the Bihariji temple to sing Bhojpuri songs. He was trained in music by his uncle, Ali Bux.

5. How did Bismillah Khan start his career in the field of music?
Answer: Bismillah Khan began learning shehnai from his uncle and practiced near the temples and banks of the Ganga. His dedication and talent led him to perform at temples and in public.

6. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Answer: His big break came when he performed at the All India Music Conference in Allahabad in 1930. His performance was widely appreciated.

7. What did the noted film director Vijay Bhatt do after hearing Bismillah Khan’s enthralling performance?
Answer: Vijay Bhatt was so impressed that he titled his film “Goonj Uthi Shehnai” and featured Bismillah Khan’s shehnai music in it.

8. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15th August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Answer: He played the shehnai from the Red Fort on 15th August 1947 after India’s Independence. It was historic because he was the first to greet the nation with music on that day.

9. Give a brief account of Bismillah Khan’s performances outside India.
Answer: Bismillah Khan performed in many countries including the U.S.A., U.K., Canada, Japan, and Iran. He represented India’s cultural heritage globally.

10. What were the awards bestowed to Bismillah Khan?
Answer: He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Shri.

11. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Answer: He refused the offer because he could not live away from his country and the Ganga in Banaras.

12. Bismillah Khan loved his country and the Ganga. Give reasons.
Answer: He was deeply attached to India, Banaras, and the Ganga. He found inspiration in its surroundings and believed he could not live without them.

13. Bismillah Khan’s life is a perfect example in itself. How?
Answer: His life reflects dedication to art, simplicity, and patriotism. Despite fame, he remained humble and devoted to music.

14. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
Answer: It was traditionally played in temples and weddings. Bismillah Khan brought it onto the classical concert stage and made it a respected instrument worldwide.

Long / Essay Type Question Answers:

1. Why did Emperor Aurangzeb ban the playing of the musical instrument ‘pungi’? How was ‘pungi’ improved and called ‘shehnai’?

Answer:
Emperor Aurangzeb banned the pungi because it had a shrill, unpleasant sound and was considered unsuitable for the royal court. It became known as a noisemaker rather than a musical instrument. However, a barber from a family of musicians who had access to the royal court decided to improve it. He modified the shape and tonal quality of the instrument to make it more melodious. The improved instrument was played in the chambers of the Shah and since the barber belonged to the nai (barber) caste, it was called the shehnai (Shah + Nai). Over time, the shehnai became a respected classical musical instrument.

2. Describe Bismillah Khan’s relation with the Film world.

Answer:
Bismillah Khan was not very involved in the film industry, although he had a brief connection with it. His shehnai music was used by film director Vijay Bhatt in the popular movie “Goonj Uthi Shehnai”. The film was named after the mesmerizing effect of Bismillah Khan's performance. However, despite receiving several offers to compose music for other films, he declined them. He believed in preserving the sanctity of classical music and did not want to dilute it with commercial cinema. His attachment to pure music kept him away from the glamour of the film world.

3. Elucidate in your words, the early life of Bismillah Khan.

Answer:
Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon, Bihar, into a family of traditional musicians. As a child, he played games like gilli-danda and visited the Bihariji temple, where he sang the Bhojpuri ‘Chaita’. He received sweets and laddus as rewards from the local Maharaja. His musical journey began under the guidance of his maternal uncle, Ali Bux, who taught him the shehnai. Bismillah Khan practiced for hours at the temples of Balaji and Mangala Maiya and on the banks of the river Ganga in Benaras. These places inspired his creativity and dedication. His devotion to music led him to become one of India’s greatest shehnai players.

4. How did Bismillah Khan rise to the highest fame? How did the country reward him?

Answer:
Bismillah Khan rose to fame through dedication, practice, and mastery over the shehnai. His breakthrough came when he performed at the All India Music Conference in Allahabad in 1930. His performance received national attention and established his reputation. In 1947, he was invited to play the shehnai at the Red Fort on India’s first Independence Day. He became a symbol of India’s musical heritage and performed globally, representing Indian culture.

India honored him with several prestigious awards:

Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award)
Padma Bhushan
Padma Vibhushan
Padma Shri

These honors reflected the country's deep respect and gratitude for his contributions to Indian classical music.

5. Explain with reference to the context:

“That is why whenever I am in a foreign country, I keep yearning to see Hindustan. While in Mumbai, I think of only Benaras and the holy Ganga. And while in Benaras, I miss the unique mattha of Dumraon.”

Answer:
These lines reflect Bismillah Khan’s deep-rooted love for his homeland. Despite his global fame and visits to many foreign countries, he remained emotionally connected to India, especially to Benaras and Dumraon. In Mumbai, a busy city, his mind wandered back to the serene ghats of the Ganga in Benaras. When in Benaras, he missed the peaceful simplicity of his birthplace Dumraon. This quote shows that for Bismillah Khan, fame and recognition were secondary to his love for his roots, culture, and the places that shaped his music. It also highlights his humility and attachment to Indian values.

Sakil Ahmed Classes