NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 2 – The Sound of Music

Part I: Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It

1. Who is Evelyn Glennie?
   Answer: Evelyn Glennie is a deaf percussionist who overcame her hearing loss to become one of the world’s leading musicians through her determination and talent.

2. At what age did Evelyn lose her hearing?
   Answer: Evelyn began to lose her hearing at age 8 and was completely deaf by 11, but she didn’t let it stop her musical dreams.

3. How did Evelyn sense music?
   Answer: She felt music through the vibrations in different parts of her body, especially through her feet and skin, which acted like sound receptors.

4. Who helped Evelyn pursue music despite her disability?
   Answer: Percussionist Ron Forbes helped her by teaching her how to “hear” through feeling vibrations, which unlocked her potential as a musician.

5. What was Evelyn’s attitude towards her disability?
   Answer: Evelyn was determined and confident. She believed in her abilities and never let her deafness limit her dreams or achievements.

6. How did Evelyn perform on international stages?
   Answer: She played over 1,000 instruments, performed across the globe, and was admired for her precision, passion, and ability to connect through rhythm.

7. What awards and recognitions has Evelyn received?
   Answer: Evelyn won international awards, including the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Soloist of the Year and was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE).

8. Why is Evelyn an inspiration for others?
   Answer: Despite her deafness, Evelyn became a world-famous musician, proving that with hard work and belief, physical limitations can be overcome.

9. What message does Evelyn Glennie’s story give us?
   Answer: Her story teaches us that disability is not a barrier if we are determined, focused, and willing to follow our passion.

10. How does Evelyn help other musicians?
    Answer: Evelyn gives free concerts in prisons, hospitals, and schools, and supports young musicians through workshops and music education programs.

Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

11. Who was Ustad Bismillah Khan?
    Answer: Ustad Bismillah Khan was a legendary shehnai maestro who brought the instrument onto the classical stage and became a symbol of India’s musical heritage.

12. What is a shehnai?
    Answer: Shehnai is a traditional Indian wind instrument used in weddings and temples, known for its rich, soulful sound.

13. Where did Bismillah Khan get his musical training?
    Answer: He trained under his uncle Ali Bux, who played the shehnai at the Kashi Vishwanath temple, where Bismillah learned by observing and practicing.

14. How did Bismillah Khan’s music win global recognition?
    Answer: He performed in international music festivals across Iran, USA, Japan, and Europe, and was honored for promoting Indian classical music worldwide.

15. What major awards did Bismillah Khan receive?
    Answer: He received India’s highest awards: the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and the Bharat Ratna, recognizing his contribution to music.

16. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to settle abroad?
    Answer: Despite many offers, he loved India deeply, especially Varanasi and the Ganga river, and said he could never live without them.

17. How did Bismillah Khan preserve traditional music?
    Answer: He remained dedicated to Indian classical music, avoided film music except a few times, and helped preserve the purity of shehnai performance.

18. What was Bismillah Khan’s attitude toward fame and wealth?
    Answer: He lived a simple life, remained humble and spiritual, and valued devotion to music more than money or material success.

19. Which film did Bismillah Khan contribute music to?
    Answer: He played the shehnai in the film “Goonj Uthi Shehnai”, which helped bring the instrument to a wider audience.

20. How did Bismillah Khan influence younger generations?
    Answer: He inspired new musicians, gave performances for students, and became a role model for dedication and love for Indian music.

21. Why is the shehnai special in Indian culture?
    Answer: The shehnai is played during auspicious occasions, symbolizing joy and purity, and was elevated to classical status by Bismillah Khan.

22. What role did religion play in Bismillah Khan’s life?
    Answer: Though Muslim, he played in Hindu temples, showing secularism and respect for all faiths, earning admiration across religious boundaries.

23. How was Bismillah Khan’s lifestyle different from other celebrities?
    Answer: He lived in a modest house in Varanasi, avoided luxury, and focused on music and devotion, rather than fame or show.

24. What message does Bismillah Khan’s life give us?
    Answer: His life teaches the values of simplicity, dedication, and love for one’s roots and traditions, regardless of global fame.

25. Summarise the main idea of both parts.
    Answer: Both Evelyn and Bismillah Khan showed that passion and dedication can overcome any barrier, whether it’s physical limitation or cultural challenges.