Class 9 English - MP
Prose: The Sound of Music
Class 9 English Chapter 'The Sound of Music' from the MPBSE curriculum presents two inspiring biographical accounts of resilience and passion. Part I narrates the life of Evelyn Glennie, a physically challenged Scottish percussionist who conquered profound deafness by learning to 'hear' music through her body rather than her ears. Part II focuses on the legendary shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, tracing his musical journey from the banks of the Ganga to playing at the Red House on Independence Day. This chapter matters greatly for board exams as it tests reading comprehension, character analysis, and thematic understanding.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Overcoming Physical Adversity
Evelyn Glennie's story teaches students that physical disabilities like hearing impairment can be overcome with immense willpower, determination, and hard work.
Perceiving Music Without Hearing
Evelyn explains that music pours in through every part of her body—her skin, her cheekbones, and even her hair roots.
Cultural Heritage of Shehnai
Part II highlights the rich cultural history of the shehnai, which replaced the pungi in royal courts through the efforts of an unnamed barber and Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Secularism and Patriotism
Bismillah Khan's life exemplifies true Indian secularism and deep love for his motherland, especially his devotion to Varanasi and the river Ganga.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Madhya Pradesh (MPBSE) Class 9 English board exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answer questions based on Evelyn's and Bismillah Khan's struggles and achievements, extracts for reading comprehension, and vocabulary-based questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Evelyn Glennie manage to continue her music despite being deaf?
Evelyn lost her hearing by the age of eleven, but percussionist Ron Forbes encouraged her to feel the music through different parts of her body instead of hearing it with her ears.
Why did Emperor Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Emperor Aurangzeb banned the pungi in the royal residence because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound.
Why was Bismillah Khan deeply attached to Varanasi and Dumraon?
He was attached to them because of his childhood memories by the Ganga and his early music lessons in the holy temples, refusing to settle abroad despite offers.
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