Class : 9 – Lesson (2) The Sound of Music
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
The Sound of Music” is a two-part biographical account that highlights the lives of two extraordinary musicians — Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan. Both stories showcase how passion, dedication, and talent can overcome physical limitations, social boundaries, and traditional expectations.
Part I: Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It
This section tells the inspiring story of Evelyn Glennie, a talented percussionist who lost her sense of hearing completely by the age of eleven. Doctors advised her to use hearing aids and attend a school for the deaf, but Evelyn was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her love for music. She didn’t let her deafness define her.
Evelyn discovered that she could feel the vibrations of sound through her body, especially through her hands and feet. With the help of a supportive teacher, Ron Forbes, she learned how to sense musical notes in different parts of her body. This breakthrough changed her life and career path.
She went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, excelling with distinction. Evelyn mastered multiple percussion instruments and became one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. She performed globally and inspired countless people with disabilities. Besides performing, she gave free concerts in prisons and hospitals and taught music to young students. Her story proves that physical challenges can be overcome with perseverance, belief, and hard work.
Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
The second part of the lesson highlights the legendary Ustad Bismillah Khan, a maestro of the shehnai, a traditional Indian wind instrument. It traces the history of the shehnai, which was earlier associated only with temple and wedding music. Bismillah Khan revolutionized its status, taking it to the classical stage and gaining worldwide recognition.
Born in a family of traditional musicians in Dumraon, Bihar, Bismillah Khan showed musical talent from an early age. He was deeply influenced by the spiritual and cultural environment of Varanasi, where he practiced for hours by the banks of the Ganga. His dedication and love for Indian music made him a national icon.
Bismillah Khan’s big break came when he performed at the All India Radio in 1938. He was the first to perform the shehnai at the Red Fort on the eve of India’s independence in 1947. He received numerous honors, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
Despite international fame, Bismillah Khan remained deeply rooted in Indian culture. He refused to settle abroad, even when offered luxurious opportunities, saying that he could never live away from the Ganga and his homeland.
Conclusion
The Sound of Music presents the extraordinary journeys of two musical legends. Evelyn Glennie teaches us that physical disability cannot limit talent, while Bismillah Khan reminds us of the beauty of simplicity, devotion, and staying true to one’s roots. Both stories celebrate the universal power of music — to heal, connect, and transcend barriers.
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PASSAGE
📜 Passage from “The Sound of Music” (Part I: Evelyn Glennie)
It was Ron Forbes who spotted Evelyn’s potential. He began by tuning two large drums to different notes. “Don’t listen through your ears,” he would say, “Try to sense it some other way.” Evelyn said, “Suddenly I realized I could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower drum from the waist down.” This discovery opened the world of sound for her.
Questions and Answers
✅ Q1. Fill in the blank (1 mark)
Ron Forbes __ Evelyn’s potential and helped her sense music through her body. (Choose a phrasal verb meaning “noticed”)
Answer: spotted
✅ Q2. Multiple Choice Question (1 mark)
Choose the correct one-word substitution for “the ability to do something well”:
A) experience
B) talent
C) education
D) attitude
Answer: talent
✅ Q3. Answer in 15 words (1 mark)
How did Ron Forbes help Evelyn connect with music despite her deafness?
Answer:
He taught her to sense music through body vibrations rather than hearing through her ears.
✅ Q4. Answer in 40 words (2 marks)
What impact did Ron Forbes’ approach have on Evelyn Glennie’s life?
Answer:
Ron Forbes’ unique teaching method helped Evelyn discover how to feel music through vibrations. This breakthrough allowed her to connect deeply with music, eventually leading her to become a world-famous percussionist despite her complete.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
✅ Q1. How did Evelyn Glennie overcome the challenge of being profoundly deaf? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Evelyn Glennie overcame her deafness by learning to feel music through vibrations in her body. With the guidance of Ron Forbes, who encouraged her to sense sound differently, she trained herself to detect notes through different parts of her body. Her determination, talent, and unique ability helped her become a world-class percussionist despite her hearing loss.
✅ Q2. Why was Bismillah Khan reluctant to settle abroad despite receiving global recognition? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Bismillah Khan loved India deeply, especially the holy city of Varanasi and the Ganga River. Despite receiving offers to live and perform abroad, he refused, saying he couldn’t live away from his homeland’s spiritual atmosphere. His love for Indian culture, music, and roots was so strong that he chose simplicity over luxury and fame.
✅ Q3. What role did the Royal Academy of Music play in Evelyn Glennie’s journey? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
The Royal Academy of Music in London played a pivotal role in shaping Evelyn’s career. She earned top honors there and trained in various percussion instruments. The academy gave her exposure, recognition, and a platform to prove her talent to the world, eventually establishing her as a global symbol of determination and musical brilliance.
✅ Q4. What was Bismillah Khan’s contribution to the classical status of the shehnai? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Before Bismillah Khan, the shehnai was mostly played in temples and at weddings. He elevated it to a classical concert instrument. Through rigorous practice and soulful performances, he brought it to the national and international stage. His efforts gave the shehnai immense respect, and he became the first to perform it at India’s Independence Day celebration.
✅ Q5. What can we learn from Evelyn Glennie’s story about the relationship between disability and determination? (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
Evelyn Glennie’s story teaches us that determination can overcome even the greatest physical challenges. Despite being profoundly deaf by the age of eleven, she refused to let her disability define her limits. Her deep connection with music, strong will, and innovative training methods helped her sense sound through body vibrations. Instead of giving up, she embraced her difference and turned it into her strength. Her journey proves that with the right attitude, support, and resilience, one can achieve greatness regardless of physical barriers. Evelyn not only succeeded as a percussionist but also inspired millions by showing that disabilities do not limit potential — mindset does. Her life redefines ability and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit.
✅ Q6. Compare the values represented by Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan through their lives and music. (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan represent two distinct yet deeply admirable values. Evelyn symbolizes perseverance, self-belief, and breaking barriers. She turned her deafness into a unique strength, showing how one can succeed with innovation and courage. Her story is about challenging societal limitations and inspiring others through excellence.
Bismillah Khan, on the other hand, embodies simplicity, cultural pride, and devotion. He was rooted in tradition, deeply spiritual, and proud of his heritage. Despite international fame, he chose to stay close to his roots in Varanasi, valuing his country and culture over luxury.
Together, they show that true greatness comes from passion, purpose, and staying true to one’s identity — whether by breaking boundaries or preserving traditions.
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