INDEX1. About the Author2. Introduction3. Theme & Sub-theme4. Characters5. Summary6. Points to ponder7. Assignments

Deborah Cowley(1905-2004)

THE SOUND OF MUSICPart I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

Part II

The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

About the Author :

Deborah Cowley(1905-2004)

THE SOUND OF MUSICPart I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

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 workfor 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 areporter 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.

Theme : Passion, determination and hard work as the key to success

Sub-Theme : Success and humility

CHARACTERS :

Isabel Glennie - Evelyn’s mother, notices her disability for the first time

Ron Forbes – The percussionist who encouraged EvelynAnn Richlin – Associated with the Beethoven Fund for Deaf Children

James Blades – A master percussionist

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Part I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

Part II : The Shehnai of Bismillah KhanCHARACTERS :

A barber – Improved sound quality of pungi and developed shehnai

Rasool Bux Khan - Bismilla Khan’s grandfather, shehnai player in Bhojpur King’s courtPaigambar Bux – Bismilla Khan’s father, a great shehnai player

Ali Bux – Khan saheb’s uncle, shehnai player in Vishnu temple, Benaras

Ustad Fayez Khan – Acclaimed musician, encouraged Khan saheb at Allahabad

Vijay Bhatt – A legendary filmmaker (Gunj Uthi Shehnai)

Vikram Srinivas – A Kannada 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

Introduction:

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

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 ‘Bharat Ratna’ recipient Ustad BismillahKhan. 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, arenot 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 MUSICPart I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

PERCUSSION

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Part II :The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

THE SOUND OF MUSICPart II :The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

SUMMARY :

THE SOUND OF MUSICPart I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

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 besent 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 differentsounds 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 concertsfor 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.

SUMMARY :

THE SOUND OF MUSICPart II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

The account begins with the birth of shehnai and later, deals with the early life of

Bismillah khan in Dumraon in Bihar. 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 Varanasi. Bismillah khan got his big break with the opening of

All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938. He also played shehnai on 15 August 1947

from the Red Fort in presence of Pandit Nehru. Bismillah Khan gave many

memorable performances both in India and abroad where he was honoured withso 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 ofIndia, one that effortlessly accepts that a devout Muslim like him can very

naturally play the shehnai at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

POINTS TO PONDER

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

❖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

Part I : Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It

POINTS TO PONDER

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

❖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

Part II : The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

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)

THE SOUND OF MUSIC