Class 9 English - ANDHRA-PRADESH
Prose: The Sound of Music
The chapter 'The Sound of Music' in the Class 9 Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) English curriculum features two inspiring parts. Part I tells the remarkable story of Evelyn Glennie, a multi-percussionist who became deaf at a young age but learned to hear music through her body rather than her ears. Part II highlights the legendary shehnai maestro, Ustad Bismillah Khan, tracing his musical journey and his deep love for India, especially Banaras and the river Ganga. This chapter matters greatly for board exams as it tests reading comprehension, thematic understanding, and the ability to draw character sketches and life lessons from biographical texts.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Evelyn Glennie's Determination
Evelyn lost her hearing by age eleven, but her strong determination and the encouragement of percussionist Ron Forbes helped her pursue music by sensing vibrations through her body.
Perceiving Music Without Hearing
Evelyn explains that music gushes through every part of her body, tingling in her skin, cheekbones, and even her hair, allowing her to master around a thousand instruments.
Evolution of the Shehnai
The shehnai replaced the traditional pungi when a royal barber improved its instrument body and played it in the Shah's chamber, naming it 'shehn' (royal) + 'nai' (barber).
Bismillah Khan's Patriotism and Simplicity
Ustad Bismillah Khan was deeply attached to his roots in Dumraon and Banaras, famously refusing to head a shehnai school in the USA because he could not recreate the holy Ganga.
Bharat Ratna Award
In 2001, Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded India's highest civilian civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, recognizing his unmatched contribution to Indian classical music.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 10 marks. Questions usually include reading comprehension passages, paragraph-type questions on character traits of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan, and vocabulary or grammar exercises based on the text.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Evelyn Glennie listen to music despite being deaf?
Evelyn listened to music not through her ears, but by sensing vibrations through different parts of her body, such as her feet, legs, skin, and bones.
Why did Emperor Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Emperor Aurangzeb banned the pungi because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound.
Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the USA?
He refused because of his intense love for Banaras, Dumraon, and the holy river Ganga, without which he could not live.
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