This page offers The Sound of Music Part-II long answer type question for Class 9 from the book Beehive. We’ve put together a bunch of long answer type question based on assumption, creativity, extrapolation and critical thinking. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board. So, practice to understand The Sound of Music Part-II long answer type question
Long Answer Type Questions and Answers from Part 2: Bismillah Khan
1. Question : Imagine Bismillah Khan had the chance to teach a young, aspiring musician. What lessons and values do you think he would emphasise based on his life and career?
Answer : Bismillah Khan would emphasise the importance of hard work, consistent practice, and valuing your cultural roots. He would recount tales from his youth, such as playing the shehnai by the Ganges River, to demonstrate how one’s environment can spark inspiration.
He would encourage young musicians to be innovative while respecting their traditions, mirroring his own approach with the shehnai. Additionally, he would discuss the virtues of humility and finding satisfaction in music itself, rather than chasing fame or wealth.
He would advise them to remain devoted to their craft and to develop a unique style that resonates within the broad spectrum of Indian classical music.
2. Question : How might Bismillah Khan’s early life experiences in Varanasi have influenced his musical style and his approach to the shehnai?
Answer : Bismillah Khan grew up in Varanasi, a city full of cultural and religious traditions. He was surrounded by the sounds of religious music and busy street life from a young age. This mix of music shaped his way of playing the shehnai.
In Varanasi, he listened to devotional bhajans at temples and the sounds of busy markets. These sounds taught him different musical styles and helped him develop his unique way of playing. He thought of the shehnai as more than just a traditional instrument used in ceremonies. For him, it was a way to express his art.
Bismillah Khan’s music blended traditional shehnai music with his new ideas. This made his style unique and loved by many. His work raised the status of the shehnai from just a ceremonial instrument to a main feature on concert stages both in India and around the world.
Also Read:
- Where was the shehnai traditionally played? How did Bismillah Khan change this?
- Ron Forbes Character Sketch | The Sound of Music Part – 1
- Evelyn Glennie Character Sketch | The Sound of Music Part – 1
- The Sound of Music Part- 1 Very Short answer Type Question
- The Sound of Music Part-I Summary Class 9
- The Sound of Music Extract Based Question Answer English
3. Question: Why did Bismillah Khan choose to stay in Varanasi, India, despite offers from abroad? What does this tell us about his values?
Answer Bismillah Khan decided to stay in Varanasi, India, even though he got many offers to move abroad. This choice tells us a lot about his love for his homeland and his strong connection to India’s cultural and musical traditions. He saw Varanasi not just as a home but as a place that gave him spiritual and creative inspiration.
By choosing to remain in Varanasi, he showed that he valued the authenticity and depth of his art more than gaining international fame or wealth. He believed in staying true to his roots and the traditions that shaped him. This decision highlights how important he thought it was to be loyal to the place that shaped his identity and his music. It shows us that Bismillah Khan put his love for tradition and his home above everything else, proving that staying true to oneself and one’s origins can be more rewarding than chasing after global recognition.
4. Question: How do you think Bismillah Khan felt playing the shehnai at the Red Fort on India’s first Independence Day, and what effect did his performance have on the people who heard it?
Answer : Playing the shehnai at the Red Fort on India’s first Independence Day made Bismillah Khan feel very proud and responsible. His music celebrated India’s new freedom and brought comfort during a time of big changes and confusion. His playing moved his audience, making them feel everything from the happiness of freedom to the sadness of the country being divided.
For those who listened, Khan’s music captured the feeling of a new beginning and showed the many emotions people were feeling. This important performance made him even closer to the people of India and showed how powerful music can be in expressing a nation’s feelings. This event made Khan very special to his fellow citizens and showed how important music is in showing who we are as a country.
5. Question: If Bismillah Khan had created music about today’s India, what themes would he have chosen, and how would he have shown these through his shehnai?
Answer : In a musical piece about modern India, Bismillah Khan might have explored themes such as unity in diversity, how old traditions blend with new ideas, and the country’s ongoing development.
He could have expressed these ideas through his shehnai by mixing traditional classical tunes with new, modern rhythms to show the complex and evolving nature of India. The shehnai’s deep and emotional sound would capture the richness of India’s cultural heritage, emphasising its long history.
At the same time, his use of new musical styles would illustrate how India is changing and growing. This combination in his music would create a beautiful reflection of India’s unique and multifaceted identity.
Also Read:
- The Sound of Music Part- 1 Short Answer Type Question
- The Sound of Music Part- 1 Summary in Hindi
- The Sound of Music- Part-1 Theme
- The Sound of Music Moral and Message
- The Sound of Music Part- 1 Word Meaning with Hindi
- How did ‘pungi’ transform into a Shehnai?
6. Question: How will future generations remember Bismillah Khan for his work in Indian classical music, and what has he left behind for young musicians?
Answer : Future generations will probably see Bismillah Khan as an important figure in Indian classical music, famous for playing the shehnai beautifully and bringing it to a wider audience.
He left a big mark on young musicians by showing how important it is to commit deeply to their music, stay connected to their cultural roots, and still be open to trying new things. He also showed how music can deeply express emotions and spiritual feelings.
Bismillah Khan’s life teaches musicians to follow their art with passion and humility while remembering where they come from. His dedication to the shehnai and his ability to innovate within the tradition of Indian music will keep inspiring young musicians to explore and cherish their own musical journeys.
7. Question: How did the spiritual atmosphere of Varanasi influence Bismillah Khan’s understanding and way of playing music?
Answer : Varanasi is a very spiritual city with lots of rituals and music, and it’s where the sacred Ganges River flows. This city had a big effect on Bismillah Khan and how he saw music.
Growing up in Varanasi, he was surrounded by religious music and ceremonies, which taught him to see music as a way to connect with something bigger than himself. This made his playing of the shehnai not just beautiful, but also very meaningful.
In Varanasi, music is more than just entertainment; it’s part of how people express their spirituality. This influenced Bismillah Khan to think of his music shows as spiritual offerings, not just regular performances.
Every time he played his shehnai, he did it with a lot of feeling and thought of it as an act of devotion. This made his music really touch people’s hearts, making each performance special and deep, almost like a form of prayer.
8. Question: How has Bismillah Khan’s music affected Indians living abroad and helped connect them to their culture?
Answer : Bismillah Khan’s music actually means a lot to Indians living outside India. It reminds them of their cultural roots and India’s rich musical traditions. For these Indians, hearing his shehnai can bring back memories of home, celebrations, and family connections, serving as a bridge to their heritage.
Additionally, his performances around the world and the recognition he received might make them feel proud of their identity. This could also help people from different countries appreciate Indian classical music more.
9. Question: How might modern music technology change Bismillah Khan’s musical legacy? What new styles or versions might develop?
Answer : With modern music technology, Bismillah Khan’s shehnai music could be mixed into new types of music, like electronic dance music or relaxing tunes. Music producers and DJs might take parts of his performances and add digital effects or modern beats.
This would help introduce his music to young people who like digital music. Mixing old and new styles could create a unique sound that respects his traditional roots while making his music exciting and new. This could encourage new musicians to explore playing the shehnai in innovative ways.
10. Question: How would Bismillah Khan teach the shehnai to a student from a different music background compared to his usual way?
Answer : When teaching a student from a different musical background, Bismillah Khan would likely start with the basics of Indian classical music, like ragas and talas, before focusing on shehnai techniques.
He’d stress the importance of ‘listening’ and ‘feeling’ the music, helping the student connect emotionally. Khan might also relate the student’s music to Indian music to build understanding and share knowledge. This flexible teaching style would not only teach shehnai but also promote respect for different musical traditions.
11. Question:Why is it important to keep your cultural heritage? Look at Bismillah Khan’s life. How does sticking to your roots shape who you are and help you grow as an artist?
Answer : Cultural heritage is really very important for shaping who we are, just like it did for Bismillah Khan. He was deeply connected to Varanasi and its rich music scene, which influenced him a lot. By holding onto his cultural roots, like Khan did, he found lots of inspiration and felt like he belonged somewhere.
This connection to his culture gave him a unique style that added to our cultural story. Varanasi wasn’t just a place for Khan; it was like his creative fuel. It shows how our cultural background can be like a solid base for us to be creative and be ourselves.
12. Question: How did Bismillah Khan’s determination help him become a master musician?
Answer : Bismillah Khan’s journey in music shows us how important it is to keep going even when things get tough. His dedication to mastering the shehnai through hard work and practice teaches us about perseverance.
This quality is essential in any field because it helps us keep learning, bounce back from setbacks, and improve our skills over time. Perseverance, like Khan’s, means not giving up when things are difficult, but sticking with it even when it’s tough. It’s this determination and commitment that lead to mastery, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and making the journey towards excellence a continuous one.
13. Question: How does Bismillah Khan’s simple life teach us about the value of simplicity in today’s world?
Answer : Bismillah Khan’s modest lifestyle, despite his fame, highlights the importance of simplicity in a world often driven by materialism. Choosing simplicity offers clarity, allowing individuals to prioritise what truly matters: passion, relationships, and inner peace.
It fosters contentment with what one has, reducing the distractions of constantly seeking more. For Khan, simplicity wasn’t just a way of life but a guiding philosophy that kept him grounded and connected to his roots, enabling him to pour his soul into his music.
Embracing simplicity can enrich personal and professional lives by fostering genuine connections, nurturing gratitude, and allowing one’s true talents and values to shine through, creating a more meaningful and fulfilling existence.
14. Question : How does having a mentor, like Bismillah Khan’s uncle who taught him the shehnai, affect our personal and professional growth?
Answer : Mentorship, like what Bismillah Khan had with his uncle, is really important for personal and professional growth. Mentors give advice, share knowledge, and cheer us on when things get tough.
They believe in us and help us become stronger. Khan’s uncle didn’t just teach him how to play the shehnai; he also showed him how music can touch hearts and souls. These mentor relationships broaden our horizons, pushing us to try new things and aim higher.
Mentors guide us with their experience, pointing us in the right direction as we make our own paths. With their help, we learn to face challenges, grow from mistakes, and ultimately reach our full potential.
15. Question : Explain how Bismillah Khan’s decision to stay true to his music without commercialising it impacted his legacy.
Answer : Bismillah Khan chose not to sell his music for money because he cared deeply about his art. Instead, he stayed true to his beliefs and kept his compositions pure.
This dedication made his music genuine and touching. By sticking to his artistic vision, Khan not only made great music but also left a lasting impression on classical music. People admired him for his honesty and his legacy will inspire many generations to come. His story reminds us to always follow our hearts and stay true to ourselves, even when it’s hard.
16. Question :Why did Bismillah Khan perform at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple despite his different religion? What does this show about music’s ability to unite people across cultural and religious divides?
Answer : Bismillah Khan’s choice to perform at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, despite being of a different faith, speaks about the power of music to bring people together. Despite any differences in beliefs, his music is a bridge that connects people from various backgrounds.
It shows that music isn’t confined by religion or culture; instead, it has the remarkable ability to unite us all. Khan’s performances in the temple remind us that art can transcend boundaries, fostering understanding and harmony among diverse communities.
They teach us that appreciating beauty and talent can dissolve differences, creating a more inclusive and compassionate world where everyone is valued and respected.
17. Question: Why did Bismillah Khan choose to stay connected to his roots instead of moving abroad for better opportunities? How does being rooted in one’s environment impact creativity and success?
Answer : Bismillah Khan chose to remain in India, particularly in Varanasi, instead of moving abroad. This decision highlights the importance of staying connected to one’s cultural and geographical roots. By staying in Varanasi, Khan found inspiration from India’s rich heritage, which deeply influenced his music.
This connection to his homeland not only made him happy but also shaped his music in a way that resonated with people. It reminds us that genuine success isn’t just about fame or money, but about honouring your culture. This makes your work more meaningful and helps you connect with your community on a deeper level.
18. Question: How did Bismillah Khan’s personal beliefs affect his music and teaching? What can we learn about blending personal values with professional work?
Answer : Bismillah Khan’s life shows us how important it is to bring our personal values into our work. He was a humble man who was dedicated to his music and respected his traditions.
These qualities shone through in how he played music and taught others. He believed in the pure beauty of music, the need for hard practice, and passing on cultural traditions. From him, we learn that our work should reflect our true beliefs.
This makes our work better and more meaningful. Khan teaches us that success is not just about being good at something, but also about being a good person.
Note- Following are the old stylish questions. These were asked before 2023-24. Actually these questions focus more on memory rather than creative thinking, imagination and extrapolation.
The Shennai of Bismillah Khan
By- Deborah Cowley I
ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS
Q.1. Write a note on the origin of the Shehnai.
Ans. It is said that in the past a musical instrument called pungi used to be played in palaces before the Kings and Nawabs. But Aurangzeb did not like the shrill and unpleasant sound of the pungi. So he banned the playing of this musical instrument in the royal residence. There was a barber who belonged to a family of musicians. He had access to the royal palace. He tried hard to improve the tonal quality of the instrument: Ile chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was longer and broader than the original pungi. lie carved seven holes on the body of the instrument. When he played on it, an impressive sonorous tonal sound was produced. The barber played it before the king and his courtiers. Everybody was impressed. The instrument Was called Shehnai because it was born in the Shah’s chamber and was invented by a ‘nai’ (barber). There is another story about the origin of Shehnai. It is said that a doctor of Iran invented it. His name was I laquim Bu All Saina and the instrument was named after him.
Q.2. What are the recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music and how did they originate?
Ans. At the age of flute, Bismillah Khan went to Benaras. #1 here his maternal uncle All Bux taught him the nuances of the Shehnai. the lie used to practise in the temple of Balaji and Mangla Maiya. He also practised on the banks of the Ganga. There is practised for hours in complete solitude. The flowing waters of the Ganga inspired him to improvise his music. There he invented the ‘ragas’ that were earlier considered beyond the range of Shehnai. The atmosphere of the temple and the solitude of the banks of the Ganga had a great effect on him. They influenced the themes of his music also. One such theme was the ethos of the temple. The other theme was the relationship between human beings based on the tune of the flowing river. These became the recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music.
3. Why is Benaras so important to Bismillah Khan?
Ans. Mr Bismillah Khan is fondly called Khansaab. He has travelled all over the world. He got honours in every country. In Tehran, an auditorium was named after him. He has seen many cities, but he remains very fond of Benaras and Dumraon. He calls them the most wonderful towns in the world. He has a special fascination for Benaras because of the Ganga there. In his youth, he used to practise Shehnai in solitude on the banks of the Ganga. Once one of his students in the USA requested him to head a Shehnai school there. He said that he would recreate the atmosphere of Benaras by building similar temples there. But the Ustad asked him whether he would bring the Ganga also there. Once he said, “Whenever I am in Mumbai, I think of only Varanasi and the holy Ganga”.
Q4.Write a note on the life and achievements of Bismillah Khan as a ‘shehnai vaadak’. What values of life do you derive from his story?
Ans. Bismillah Khan’s journey as a ‘shehnai vaadak’ carries in itself deep moral values of dedication, simplicity and patriotism. It started at the young age of three and continued up to the age of ninety. The journey ranged from playing the instrument in the temples to getting international fame.
Hailing from a family of musicians, Bismillah Khan inherited an interest in the shehnai. At a young age of three, he started accompanying his maternal Uncle Ali Bux to the Vishnu temple in Benaras and learnt a lot from him. He would sing scriptures like the Bhojpuri chaita’
Bismillah Khan got a significant break when he started playing for the All India Radio, Lucknow in 1938. His music was so admired that he was invited to play at the historic moment of Indian independence on 15 August 1947. In recognition of his talent, he was conferred upon with the greatest awards of India – the Padmashri, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, in 2001. Bismillah Khan ventured into the film world but abandoned it after he found it to be too artificial and glamorous. On the international level, he mesmerized the King of Afghanistan with o his shehnai music. He was the only Indian to be invited to play shehnai in the Lincoln Central Hall, USA. He also played inn international events like the World Exposition, Montreal, the Cannes Art Festival and the Osaka Trade Fair. As a token of appreciation, the Teheran government has named an auditorium after Bismillah Khan.
Bismillah Khan has a deep devotion to his motherland and is proud of its heritage of music. Hence, he declined the offer to settle down in foreign countries. F His journey teaches the values of dedication to one’s talent and persistent efforts to reach the greatest heights of excellence.
Q5. How does the author of The Sound of Music” portray Bismillah Khan as a great patriot?
Or
Bismillah Khan, on receiving the Bharat Ratna, remarked, “Teach your children music, this is Hindustan’s richest tradition; even the West is now coming to learn our music.” What does it reveal about his sentiments towards India?
Ans. Bismillah Khan, in “The Sound of Music”, emerged as a person imbued with intense and strong patriotic emotions. He had a profound and passionate love for his birthplace, Dumraon in Bihar and for Benaras where he took training to play the shehnai. He feels a deep bond with the Ganga because the flowing waters of the holy river made him improvise and spontaneously play new raagas – the ones which were earlier regarded to be beyond the range of the shehnai. Such was Bismillah Khan’s love for his country and the Ganga that he refused to settle down in America to head a-school for the shehnai. His strong attachment with the sacred river made him miss Benaras when he was in Mumbai or elsewhere. Equally strong was his bonding with his birthplace Dumraon.
Bismillah Khan had a great regard for the Hindustani music which, for him, is the richest cultural heritage of India. He wanted the tradition of the Indian music to be carried on from generation to generation. That is why he advised the people of India to teach music to their children and felt proud that this music fascinated even the people of the west.
Q6. You have now read about two musicians, Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan. Do you think that they both worked hard? Where did they want to go? (Textual)
Or
Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan shared the values of hard work and perseverance. Discuss.
Or
What important lesson does the life of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan teach us?
Ans. Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan, the two eminent music maestros, through their achievements, have proved to the world that the values of hard work and unstaggering efforts are always rewarded. Evelyn Glennie became an internationally admired multi-percussionist only because of her untiring work which could conquer even her handicap. Instead of yielding to her deafness, she made all-out efforts to sense the sounds of music through different parts of her body and never looked back. With her persistent efforts, she made it to the Royal Academy of Music, London and bagged the most prestigious awards. Her sincere devotion to her art has given percussion a new place on the international stage.
Bismillah Khan, like Evelyn, was dedicated to his art and attained greatest heights as a ‘shehnai vaadak’. He too worked diligently and transformed the shehnai into a classical instrument. He added enormously to what he had inherited by widening the range of the shehnai. He invented many new raagas spontaneously. Starting with playing in the temples of Benaras and on the banks of Ganga, he reached the stage of international acclaim. His hard work enabled him to win the most prestigious awards in India and in the world.
Thus, the lives of both Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan are perfect examples of how dedicated efforts and persistent hard work lead to grand achievements.
Q7. Write a note on some of the most memorable performances of Ustad Bismillah Khan as described in the feature “The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan”.
Ans. During his illustrious career spanning over 80 years, Bismillah Khan gave countless music performances, but a few of them stand out as milestones in his career.
For example, his performance of the Bhojpuri ‘chaita’ at the Bihariji temple at the age of five indicated the signs of a maestro he was to evolve into. For every recital, he would get a 1.25 kg laddu as a reward from the local king. At the age of 14, he was patted for his performance at the Allahabad Music Conference by Ustad Faiyaz Khan. In 1938, Bismillah Khan got perhaps the biggest break of his career when he got to perform on the All India Radio, Lucknow. Equally remarkable was the opportunity to usher in the Independence of the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 15th August 1947. His first foreign performance in Afghanistan got him rich accolades and honours. He also had the chance to provide music to two films – Vijay Bhatt’s “Gunj Uthi Shehnai” and Srinivas’s Kannada movie “Samadhi Apanna”. Then followed a string of international performances, notable among them being the performances at the prestigious Lincoln Centre Hall (USA), World Exposition (Montreal), Cannes Art Festival and Osaka Trade fair.
Q8. “Music has no religion.” How did Bismillah Khan’s Shehani prove it?
Ans. Music is the voice of the soul. It is sacred beyond the religions. It is eternal and acts as a source of inspiration for everyone. A musician never plays music for any particular religion. Bismillah Khan who belonged to the Muslim community played Shehnai in temples. He was deeply attached to the holy city of Benaras and the holy river Ganga. The river Ganga and its flowing water were the main source of inspiration for him. He could never think of leaving Benaras and holy river Ganga. Since his childhood, he was fond of music. As a five-year-old child, he used to visit Bihariji temple at Dumraon to sing Bhojpuri Chaita. His love for music was so deeply influenced by Benaras and Ganga that once a student from the USA wanted him to head a Shehnai school there. He promised him to recreate the atmosphere of Benaras in the USA by replicating the temple. But Bismillah Khan refused to say that he couldn’t take the Ganga there.
Q9. Describe the life and character of Ustad Bismillah Khan with emphasis on values of his character you should imbibe.
Ans. Ustad Bismillah Khan was a great Shehnai player. He was born in a village of Bihar state. He belonged to a family of professional musicians. He made Shehnai a famous musical instrument in the world. The government of India gave him the greatest civilian award —”Bharat Ratna”. He was a true patriot. He never showed his desire to settle abroad when he was offered several chances. Bismillah had a great passion for Shehnai. He took lessons from his maternal uncle Ali Bux and practised hard on the peaceful banks of the river Ganga. Infect his life is motivating for students. He teaches them that human beings should give up narrow mindedness. They should take values from different religions.
Q10. Why did Emperor Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi and how it was improved and called Shehnai?
Ans. Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi in the royal residence because it had a shrill and unpleasant sound. But a barber of a professional family of musicians was able to improve it. He chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was longer and broader than the pungi. He made seven holes on the body of the pipe. He played the instrument before the king and everyone was impressed. Since it was first played in the Shah’s chambers and was played by an’ (barber), the instrument was named the ‘Shehnai’
Q11. How was Bismillah Khan associated with the film world?
Ans. Film director Vijay Bhatt heard Bismillah Khan at a festival. He was so much impressed by Bismillah Khan that he named a film after the instrument ‘Cu& Uthi Shehnai. The film was a huge hit. One of Bismillah Khan’s compositions “Di! Ka Valens film at Toot Gaya”, turned out to be very !popular: In spite of his great success in the world, Bismillah Khan’s film music was limited to two. Vijay Bhatt’a
`Gunj Uthi Shehnai’ and Vikram Srinivas’s `Samadhi Apanna’. But Bismillah made it clear that he could not come to terms with the artificiality and glamour of the film world.
Q.12. What important lesson does the life of Bismillah Khan teach us?
Ans. Bismillah Khan teaches us a very remarkable lesson of life. People make advancement in life by dint of hard work and devotion. He was very interested in music as he was born in the family of a musician. He used to sing Chaita in the Biharji temple. When he was in Benaras, he was greatly influenced by his maternal uncle, who was a great Shehnai player. He copied his uncle in the true spirit and practised Shehnai in the peaceful environment of the Ganga. His hard work and devotion brought him good fruits. He was awarded the greatest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.