The Sound of Music Part 2: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan | Class 9 Notes
ABOUT THE LESSON
The lesson explores the life of Ustad Bismillah Khan and the evolution of the Shehnai from a folk instrument to a classical one.It begins with the story of Emperor Aurangzeb banning the Pungi due to its shrill sound, which was later perfected by a barber (nai) into the melodic Shehnai. The story traces Bismillah Khan’s journey from a young boy playing gilli-danda in Dumraon to becoming a world-renowned maestro.Bismillah Khan had the rare honor of greeting the nation with his Shehnai on August 15, 1947, at the Red Fort. Despite global fame and winning the Bharat Ratna, he remained a simple man who loved his roots in Banaras and Dumraon more than anything else.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR/LEGEND: Ustad Bismillah Khan
Born on March 21, 1916, in Dumraon, Bihar, into a family of traditional musicians. The Maestro: He was a world-renowned Indian musician credited with elevating the Shehnai from a traditional wedding instrument to the classical concert stage. The Highest Honor: In 2001, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. National Awards: He was a rare recipient of all top civilian honors, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. He was the first Indian to be invited to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Centre Hall in the United States of America. Ustad Bismillah Khan passed away on August 21, 2006, at the age of 90 due to cardiac arrest.
III- THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT (Question & Answers)
Q1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Ans: Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi in the royal residence because it had a shrill, unpleasant, and "unmusical" sound. He regarded it as a mere noise-maker.
Q2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?
Ans: A shehnai is an improved version of the pungi. It has a hollow stem that is longer and broader than the pungi. It also has seven holes on the body of the pipe. Unlike the shrill pungi, the shehnai produces soft and melodious sounds.
Q3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
Ans: Traditionally, the shehnai was part of the naubat (a traditional ensemble of nine instruments) found at royal courts. It was used primarily in temples and at weddings. Ustad Bismillah Khan changed this by bringing the instrument onto the classical stage and performing solo concerts.
Q4. When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Ans: Bismillah Khan got his big break in 1938 with the opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow. He became an often-heard shehnai player on the radio, which brought him national fame.
Q5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
Ans: He played the shehnai from the Red Fort in Delhi. The event was historic because it was the day India gained independence from British rule. He was the first Indian to greet the nation with his music, playing Raag Kafi to an audience that included Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Q6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Ans: He refused because of his deep love for India, specifically Banaras and the River Ganga. When his student promised to recreate the atmosphere of Banaras by building similar temples, Khan asked if he could also transport the River Ganga there. Since that was impossible, he chose to stay in his homeland.
1 MARK IMPORTANT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Who banned the playing of the pungi in the royal palace?
Ans: Emperor Aurangzeb
Why was the pungi banned?
Ans: Because of its shrill and unpleasant sound.
Who transformed the pungi into the shehnai?
Ans: A barber (nai) who belonged to a family of professional musicians.
Where was the shehnai played for the first time?
Ans: In the Shah’s chambers (hence the name Shah-nai).
When was Bismillah Khan born?
Ans: March 21, 1916.
Which instrument did Bismillah Khan’s ancestors play?
Ans: They were professional shehnai players in the courts of the estate of Dumraon.
What was Bismillah Khan’s favorite place to practice music in solitude?
Ans: The banks of the River Ganga in Banaras.
In which year did Bismillah Khan get his big break on All India Radio?
Ans: 1938 (Lucknow).
Which raga did he play from the Red Fort on 15 August 1947?
Ans: Raag Kafi.
What is the name of the film for which Bismillah Khan composed a hit song?
Ans: Gunj Uthi Shehnai (Song: "Dil ka khilona hai toot gaya").
Why did Bismillah Khan fail to find interest in the film world?
Ans: He could not come to terms with the artificiality and glamour of the film world.
Which is India’s highest civilian award won by Bismillah Khan?
Ans: The Bharat Ratna (awarded in 2001).
What did Bismillah Khan love most besides music?
Ans: The cities of Banaras and Dumraon.
Where was the auditorium named after Bismillah Khan located?
Ans: In Tehran (Tahar Mosiquee Ustad Bismillah Khan).
What was Bismillah Khan's message to the people of India?
Ans: He urged parents to teach their children music, calling it India’s richest heritage.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)
1. What was the original name of the instrument that Aurangzeb banned?
A) Shehnai B) Pungi C) Flute D) Veena Ans: B) Pungi
2. The Shehnai was named after the 'Shah' and the 'Nai'. What does 'Nai' stand for?
A) King B) Musician C) Barber D) Soldier Ans: C) Barber
3. Where did Bismillah Khan regularly go to sing the 'Chaita'?
A) Red Fort B) Bihariji Temple C) Ganga Ghat D) Lucknow Radio Station
Ans: B) Bihariji Temple
4. Bismillah Khan belongs to a well-known family of musicians from:
A) Banaras B) Lucknow C) Dumraon D) Delhi Ans: C) Dumraon
5. In 1938, Bismillah Khan found his "big break" at:
A) The Lincoln Centre B) All India Radio Lucknow C) The Red Fort D) The World Exposition
Ans: B) All India Radio Lucknow
6. Which river's flowing waters inspired him to improvise and invent new ragas?
A) Yamuna B) Ganga C) Narmada D) Kaveri Ans: B) Ganga
7. On August 15, 1947, Bismillah Khan became the first Indian to greet the nation with his:
A) Speech B) Shehnai C) Song D) Flute Ans: B) Shehnai
8. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse a film career after only two films?
A) He was not getting paid well B) He hated acting C) He couldn't handle the artificiality and glamour D) He was too busy with concerts
Ans: C) He couldn't handle the artificiality and glamour
9. In which year was Ustad Bismillah Khan awarded the Bharat Ratna?
A) 1999 B) 2001 C) 2005 D) 1947 Ans: B) 2001
10. What does Bismillah Khan consider to be India's richest heritage?
A) Diamonds and Gold B) Ancient Temples C) Music D) The Ganga River
Ans: C) Music
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