CBSE Class 9 - English (Beehive)- Chapter - 2 : The Sound of Music - Chapter Theme and Summary (#eduvictors)(#cbse2020)(#class9English)

Chapter  2: The Sound of Music - Chapter Theme and Summary

Author: Deborah Cowley

Part 1: Evelyn Glennie

Theme
The first part of ‘The Sound of Music’ is based on the theme that earnest efforts and able guidance pave one’s way to success. The aspirations, endeavours and achievements of the eminent Scottish percussion musician Evelyn Glennie were made possible by her unfaltering determination, firm resolute and self-confidence. Those who learn to overcome their handicap certainly accomplish their goals. One should have faith in one’s abilities and then the sky is the limit.


Summary

Evelyn Glennie, a most desired musician internationally, is a multi-percussionist who can play thousands of instruments flawlessly. Amazingly, she accomplished this status regardless of her disability as she was significantly hard of hearing. But she figured out to listen with her body instead of the ears. She feels the music through her body.



Evelyn was eleven years old when it was found that she had a hearing problem. She desired to pursue her career in music yet her instructors debilitated her. It was Ron Forbes who recognized her potential and supported her. He exhorted her not to tune in through her ears yet attempt to detect it in some other manner. This proved to be a defining moment. She figured out how to open her body and brain to the sounds and vibrations. After that, she never looked back. She had mastered the art of deciphering different vibrations of sound on her body.

She joined the prestigious Royal Academy of Music and scored one of the highest marks in the history of the Academy. Her hard work and strong willpower stood against all odds and reached the top position. She has been workaholic and has been recognised enormously. In 1991, she was presented with the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious ‘Soloist of the year award’.  Apart from the regular performances, she gave free concerts in hospitals, prisons and free lectures to aspiring young musicians. She turned into a  wellspring of motivation for the deaf and other handicapped children. She became a source of inspiration to these children and made them believe that if Evelyn could do, so might they be able to.

Part-2: Bismillah Khan

Theme

This chapter throws light on the origin of shehnai and the life of all-time maestro Shehnai Vadak Bismillah Khan, the winner of Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India, his dedication to music and his love for India.


Summary
● This second part illuminates the origin of Shehnai and the life ever incredible Shehnai Vadak – Bismillah Khan. The Bharat Ratna awardee, the most prestigious civilian award of India, for his commitment to music and his adoration for  India.

●  'Pungi', a flute-like instrument was prohibited by Ruler Aurangzeb due to its abrasive and terrible sound. Actuality, it was considered to be a greater noise creator instead of a musical instrument. It was adjusted and culminated by a barber who had a place with a group of music performers. He played it in the chamber of the king. Its sound was so valued by the ruler that it was made a piece of Naubat. Since it was played without precedent for Shah's chamber by a Nai, it came to be known as Shehnai.

●  Customarily, it was played in the temples and on auspicious events also. Its sound was viewed as propitious. Be that as it may, it was treated as a deficient instrument, not fit for making independent pages. But Bismillah Khan broke this fantasy.

●  Bismillah belongs to the Benares Gharana. Born in 1916 at Dumraon, in Bihar. From 5 years old he used to visit the Bihariji Temple and sing Bhojpuri 'Chaitya' there. For his resonant singing, as a kid, he used to earn a big Laddu from the nearby Bhojpuri king. At 6 years old, he moved to Banaras. There under the guidance and mentoring of his maternal uncle, Ali Bux, he started getting the better subtleties of shehnai. He used to invest the vast majority of his energy rehearsing on the banks of the river Ganges. The topics of his music were profoundly influenced by the hints of flowing water of the Ganga.

● In 1930, he got the best entertainer award at All India Music Gathering in Allahabad. In 2001, he won 3 honours the Padma Bhushan, Padmashree and Padma Vibhushan. He was invited to play the shehnai at the Red Fort in 1947, turning into the first to greet free India. He won numerous international honours too. He turned into the first Indian to perform at the Lincoln Central Hall, USA. An auditorium in Tehran was named after him—Tahar Mosiquee Ustaad Bismillah Khan.

● He was attached to Banaras and Dumraon. He declined a proposal from one of his students to settle in the USA, as he was not ready to remain away for long from Benaras and its heavenly river Ganga. He ventured into the film world also and contributed his music in two motion pictures. His piece 'Dil ka khillona hai… … ' for the film 'Goonj Uthi Shehnai', was a chartbuster. In any case, he was unable to connect himself with the fake glamorous film world. For him, music was his spirit, his life.


☛See also:
Ch 1 - The Fun They Had (Chapter Summary & Character Sketch)
Ch 1 - The Fun They Had (Chapter Questions and Answers)

The Road Not Taken (MCQs)
The Road Not Taken (Summary)
The Road Not Taken (Q & A)

Ch2: The Sound Of Music (Q & A)

The Lost Child (Q & A)

Chapter 4 - Truly Beautiful Mind (NCERT Answers)