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THE SOUND OF MUSIC Part I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It Deborah Cowley (1905-2004)

Part II The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

INDEX 1. About the Author 2. Introduction 3. Theme & Sub-theme 4. Characters 5. Summary 6. Points to ponder 7. Assignments THE SOUND OF MUSIC Part I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It Deborah Cowley (1905-2004) About the Author : Deborah Cowley had been a famous writer of her period who travelled across the world while writing articles for Reader’s digest. She grew up in Toronto, Canada and graduated from the University of Western Ontario and moved to Ottawa to work for the Unitarian Service Committee. She spent two years with UNHCR (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) in Beirut before moving back to Ottawa and a job with CIDA. As she traveled the world with her diplomat husband, she worked as a reporter for CBC radio in Washington, D.C. and on a posting to Cairo, she worked on several TV documentaries for CBC’s Man Alive. Also in Egypt, she wrote the first official guide book to Cairo. THE SOUND OF MUSIC Theme : Passion, determination and hard work as the key to success Sub-Theme : Success and humility

Part I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It CHARACTERS : Isabel Glennie - Evelyn’s mother, notices her disability for the first time Ron Forbes – The percussionist who encouraged Evelyn Ann Richlin – Associated with the Beethoven Fund for Deaf Children James Blades – A master percussionist Part II : The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan CHARACTERS : A barber – Improved sound quality of pungi and developed shehnai Rasool Bux Khan - Bismilla Khan’s grandfather, shehnai player in Bhojpur King’s court Paigambar Bux – Bismilla Khan’s father, a great shehnai player Ali Bux – Khan saheb’s uncle, shehnai player in Vishnu temple, Benaras Fayez Khan – Acclaimed musician, encouraged Khan saheb at Allahabad Bhatt – A legendary filmmaker (Gunj Uthi Shehnai) Vikram Srinivas – A filmmaker King Zahir Shah – Afghan King, gifted Khan saheb priceless souvenirs A student – BK’s student, wanted him to head a shehnai school in the USA THE SOUND OF MUSIC Introduction: The lesson is divided into two parts. Each part focuses on two musicians, Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan. Part one throws light on Evelyn's life and her struggles to become a successful musician. Evelyn is a multi-percussionist. Part two focuses on the life of ‘’ recipient Ustad Bismillah Khan. Part II begins with the birth of shehnai and how the maestro brought shehnai into the classical stage. Both the parts highlight the musical journey Evelyn and Bismillah Khan and their outstanding contribution to the world of music. Evelyn’s accomplishments, despite her hearing disability, are not only astonishing but also a source of inspiration for many. On the other hand, Bismillah Khan’s exploration of the rare musical instrument, his instinctively uncompromising musical heart and his truly patriotic spirit will be remembered forever and ever. THE SOUND OF MUSIC Part I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It THE SOUND OF MUSIC PERCUSSION THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Part II :The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan THE SOUND OF MUSIC Part II :The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan THE SOUND OF MUSIC Part I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It SUMMARY : Evelyn Glennie is a multi–percussionist. She has attained mastery over almost a thousand musical instruments despite being impaired. She learnt to feel music through her body instead of hearing it through her ears. When Evelyn was eleven years old, it was discovered that she had lost her hearing ability due to nerve damage. The specialist advised that she should wear hearing aids and be sent to a school for the deaf. On the contrary, Evelyn was determined to lead a normal life and follow her interest in music. Although she was discouraged by her teachers, her potential was noticed by master percussionist, Ron Forbes. He guided Evelyn to feel music some other way than to hear it through her ears. This worked well for Evelyn and she realised that she could sense different sounds through different parts of her body. Once she had overcome this hurdle, Evelyn began her career in music. She got admission in the Royal Academy of Music, London and scored the highest marks in the history of the academy. Evelyn says that hard work and dedication towards her goal helped her achieve success. Evelyn gives solo performances and even participates in free concerts for hospitals and prisons. In 1991, she won the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious ‘Soloist of the Year’ Award. Evelyn’s story is an inspiration for the differently abled who are motivated to fulfill their dreams like she did. THE SOUND OF MUSIC Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan SUMMARY : The account begins with the birth of shehnai and later, deals with the early life of Bismillah khan in Dumraon in . His grandfather was a Shehnai-Nawaz in the Bhojpur King’s court. Bismillah Khan took to music early in life when he was three years old in the company of his maternal uncle. His life is a source of simplicity and communal harmony from the very beginning when he used to sing ‘Chiata’ in Bihariji temple and practicing shehnai in Vishnu temple and Mangala Maiya temple of . Bismillah khan got his big break with the opening of All Radio in Lucknow in 1938. He also played shehnai on 15 August 1947 from the in presence of Pandit Nehru. Bismillah Khan gave many memorable performances both in India and abroad where he was honoured with so many awards. He also composed music for two movies – ‘Gunj Uthi shehnai’ and ‘Sanadhi Apanna’. He was so fond of his motherland India, Benaras, and the holy Ganga that he refused an offer to be the Head of Shehnai school in the USA. In 2001, Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the ‘Bharat Ratna’. His life is a perfect example of the rich, cultural heritage of India, one that effortlessly accepts that a devout Muslim like him can very naturally play the shehnai at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. THE SOUND OF MUSIC Part I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

POINTS TO PONDER ❖Introduction of Evelyn Glennie ❖Evelyn’s struggle ❖Role of Ron Forbes ❖Evelyn’s journey ❖Evelyn’s humility ❖Evelyn’s interview ❖Evelyn’s music ❖Evelyn’s achievement ❖Comments of Ann Richlin and James Blades ❖Conclusion – Evelyn as a source of inspiration THE SOUND OF MUSIC Part II : The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

POINTS TO PONDER ❖The birth of shehnai ❖Bismillah Khan’s role in bringing shehnai to classical stage ❖Bismillah Khan’s musical background ❖Bismillah Khan’s passion & flair for music and inspiration ❖The big break ❖Bismillah Khan’s journey as a musician ❖His contribution to films & an uncompromising spirit ❖Bismillah Khan’s performance abroad ❖Award and achievements ❖Bismillah Khan’s, the master with a true Indian spirit ❖Bismillah Khan’s refusal to go to the USA THE SOUND OF MUSIC ASSIGNMENT : QUESTIONS TO TEST COMPREHENSION Short Answer Questions (30-40 words) 1. How old was Evelyn when did she go to the Royal Academy of Music? 2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed? 3. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say? 4. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs. 5. What did Ann Richlin and James Blades say about Evelyn? 6. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi? 7. How is a shehnai different from a pungi? 8. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this? 9. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break? 10. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic? 11. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.? 12. How do know that Bismillah Khan loved India and Benaras? THE SOUND OF MUSIC ASSIGNMENT : QUESTIONS TO TEST COMPREHENSION Long Answer Questions (150 words) : 1. Write a note on Evelyn Glennie’s journey into the world of music, including her struggle and achievements.

2. Write a note on Bismillah Khan’s journey into the world music and his accomplishments.

Imp : Read the story thoroughly and write all the difficult words from the story and their meanings in your Vocabulary Note-book as part of your preparation for UPSC (NDA)