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The Sound of Music
Question
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Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change
this?

Answer

In the past, the shehnai was a part of the naubat or traditional ensemble of nine instruments found at royal courts. It was used only in temples and weddings till recently. Ustad Bismillah Khan gets the credit for bringing this instrument onto the classical stage. 

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Some More Questions From The Sound of Music Chapter

Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?

Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.

How does Evelyn hear music?

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).

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
answers in class.

 

Bismillah Khan’s feelings about

 

Positive

 

Negative

 

Neutral

 

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

 

 

 

 


Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?

How is a shehnai different from a pungi?

Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change
this?

When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?

Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was
the event historic?