BSEB Class 9 English Chapter 6 The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan Important Question Answers from English Panorama-I Book
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- The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan Textbook Questions
- The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan Extra Question Answers
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BSEB Class 9 English Chapter 6 The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan Textbook Questions
A. Work in small groups and discuss the following:
1. Have you ever heard a shehnai being played in marriage ceremonies or festivals?
Ans. Yes, I have heard a shehnai being played in marriage ceremonies or festivals for auspiciousness.
2. How do you like this instrument?
Ans. The instrument has a melodious and calming tune.
3. Discuss any pipe instrument which is played in your locality in marriage ceremonies or festivals.
Ans. The shehnai stands out as a prominent pipe instrument played in Indian marriage ceremonies and festivals. In North Indian weddings, the shehnai welcomes the groom’s procession (baraat) and accompanies key rituals like the pheras, evoking joy and sanctity. Its sound is believed to ward off evil and bless the couple. Beyond marriages, shehnai performances feature in temple ceremonies and festivals like Diwali processions, historically part of royal naubat ensembles. The nadaswaram serves a parallel role in South Indian weddings and festivals, with a louder tone suited for outdoor events.
4. Do you know that it was Bismillah Khan, the great Shehnai maestro, who made this instrument a reality? Can you name some leading players of other popular musical instruments?
Ans. While Bismillah Khan was the maestro for Shehnai, there are other leading players of other popular musical instruments. Ustad Zakir Hussain revolutionised the tabla with innovative rhythms and international collaborations, earning multiple Grammy Awards. Ustad Alla Rakha, his father, set benchmarks in accompaniment for artists like Ravi Shankar. Pandit Ravi Shankar popularised the sitar worldwide, introducing ragas to Western audiences through concerts and collaborations with The Beatles. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, known as “Sarod Samrat”, dazzles with fast ekhara taans and belongs to a six-generation musical lineage. Niccolò Paganini mesmerised 19th-century Europe and was called to be a violin legend. Sir James Galway, dubbed “The Man with the Golden Flute,” blends classical mastery in Mozart concertos with pop crossovers.
B.1.1. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements:
1. Bismillah Khan belongs to a family of musicians from Uttar Pradesh.
2. Bismillah Khan’s ancestors were also great shehnai players.
3. The flowing water of the Ganga gave inspiration to Bismillah to create ragas.
4. He learnt shehnai from his parent and grandfather.
Ans.
1. T
2. T
3. T
4. F
B.1.2. Complete the sentences on the basis of the unit you have just studied
1. The pungi is a ……………instrument.
2. The pungi became the generic name for……. noise makers.
3. The instrument which is so different from the pungi is called…………. .
4. …………… holes were made on the body of a pipe.
5. …………..was the Shehnai nawaj of Bhojpuri king’s court.
6. ………… was Bismillah’s grandfather.
7. Bismillah accompanied ………..to the Vishnu temple of Benaras.
8. Bismillah played at the temple of……… and at the banks of……………..as a young apprentice.
Ans.
1. wind
2. reeded
3. shehnai
4. seven
5. Rasool Bux Khan
6. Rasool Bux Khan
7. Ali Bux
8. Balaji and Mangala maiya, Ganga
B.1.3. Answer the following questions very briefly:
1. Who banned the playing of the pungi?
Ans. Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi.
2. What generic name did the pungi come to acquire?
Ans. The pungi became the generic name for reeded noisemakers.
3. Who revived the pungi?
Ans. A barber who had access to the royal palace revived the pungi by improving the instrument.
4. Where was the Shehnai played for the first time?
Ans. The shehnai was played in Emperor Aurangzeb’s royal court.
5. Who played the instrument for the first time so different from the pungi?
Ans. A barber played the instrument for the first time so different from the pungi.
6. What is naubat called?
Ans. Naubat means a set of traditional musical instruments, kettledrums and shehnai played at royal courts or temples, or a specific time or opportunity for something.
7. Who brought the instrument Shehnai on the classical stage?
Ans. Ustad Bismillah Khan brought the instrument Shehnai on the classical stage.
8. Which sport did Bismillah Khan play in his childhood?
Ans. Bismillah Khan played gilli-danda in his childhood.
9. Where did he play the sport?
Ans. Bismillah Khan played gilli-danda near the pond in the estate of Dumraon in Bihar.
10. Where did he go to sing the Bhojpuri “Chaita”?
Ans. He went to the nearby Bihariji temple to sing the Bhojpuri “Chaita”.
11. What is the highest civilian award in India?
Ans. Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India.
12. Who was Bismillah’s father?
Ans. Bismillah’s father was Paigambar Bux.
13. Who was Bismillah’s maternal uncle?
Ans. Bismillah’s maternal uncle was Ali Bux.
B.2.1. Complete the sentences on the basis of the unit you have just studied:
1. At the age of fourteen Bismillah accompanied his uncle to ………………..
2. In 1938 came Bismillah’s first break in ……………in……………………
3. He sang………………on 15th August 1947.
4. His first trip abroad was to…………..
5. Film director Vijay Bhatt named his film as………..after being impressed by the shehnai.
6. National awards like the ………….and the Padma Vibhust were conferred on him.
7. Bismilah Khan was also referred to as …………….
8. An auditorium in Tehran named after him is called……….
Ans.
1. the Vishnu Temple of Benaras
2. All India Radio, Lucknow
3. Raga Kafi
4. Afghanistan
5. Gunj Uthi Shehnai
6. Padma Bhushan, Padmashri
7. Khansaab
8. Tahar Mosiquee Ustad Bismillah Khan
B.2.2. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statement:
1. An auditorium in Tehran was named after Bismillah Khan.
2. Bismillah Khan was fondly called ‘Khansaab’
3. Khansaab was a shehnai player of international repute even then no National Awards were conferred on him.
Ans.
1. T
2. T
3. F
B.2.3 Answer the following questions very briefly:
1. When was Bismillah Khan awarded India’s highest civilian award?
Ans. In 2001, Bismillah Khan was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.
2. Of which two cities was he most fond of?
Ans. He was fond of Benaras and Dumraon.
C.1. LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. Which emperor banned the playing of the pungi? Do you think that it is against the right to expression?
Ans. Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi. Yes, I believe that banning a particular musical instrument is against the right to expression. It is normal to find a particular instrument unpleasant. However, banning something due to one’s own personal preference and opinion is immature. Therefore, we see that Emperor Aurangzeb used his power unjustly to impose his opinion on his subjects.
2. Ustad Khan refused the celluloid world after two films. Was it a loss to the cinema world or gain to Hindustani Music? Discuss.
Ans. Ustad Khan refused the celluloid world after two films. Celluloid world means the world of cinema. Ustad Khan’s work in film music was limited to Gunj Uthi Shehnai and Sanadhi Apanna. He did not continue because of the fake glamour of the film world. We can see through his journey and music that he was mostly focused on spiritual music and connecting with the soul. The celluloid world, on the other hand, was materialistic and fake. Therefore, it was not the world Bismillah Khan felt like he belonged to. It was both a loss to the cinema world or gain to Hindustani Music. Ustad Khan was a talented shehnai maestro and his talents would have elevated the beauty of Bollywood. However, Hindustani Music also needed elevation and recognition globally. Ustad Khan’s talent enabled Hindustani Music to be heard worldwide.
3. Capture in your own words the feelings of the Ustad, when he received Bharat Ratna.
Ans. The Ustad received the Bharat Ratna in 2001. Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award. The award brought tears of happiness to the Ustad’s eyes. In his speech, he said that children of India should learn music because it is embedded in the country’s rich heritage and tradition. He proudly said that learning music is useful because the western countries are also recognising the beauty of Hindustani music. That was a proud and joyous moment for Ustad Bismillah Khan.
4. ‘Only in India it is possible that a devout Muslim like Khan Saheb can very naturally play the Shehnai every morning at Kashi Vishwanath temple.’ What light does this statement throw on India’s cultural heritage? Discuss.
Ans. ‘Only in India it is possible that a devout Muslim like Khan Saheb can very naturally play the Shehnai every morning at Kashi Vishwanath temple.’ This shows the secularism of our country. It sheds a positive light on India’s cultural heritage. It shows how India is a country which aims at harmony between Hindus and Muslims. A Muslim is allowed to be at a temple and a Hindu is allowed to be at a mosque.
5. Describe the incident of Ustad Khan visiting Pakistan.
Ans. Ustad Khan had never been to Pakistan. He had crossed the border just to see Pakistan. His humorous nature shows as he says that he said ‘namaskaar’ to the Pakistanis and ‘salaam alaikum’ to the Indians for a good laugh. It also shows that he did not discriminate between Pakistanis and Indians.
6. How did shehnai get its name? Describe in your own words the process how the Pungi became the shehnai.
Ans. The word ‘Shehnai’ has two parts, ‘sheh’ and ‘nai’. ‘Sheh’ came from ‘shah’ because it was first played in the royal court of Emperor Aurangzeb. ‘Nai’ came from a nai or barber who made the shehnai and played it for the first time. The pungi was a wind instrument which was banned because of its shrill and unpleasant sound. A barber from a family of musicians chose a hollow pipe that was longer and broader and made seven holes in it. He then played the instrument in the royal court, giving way to the shehnai.
C. 2. GROUP DISCUSSION
Discuss the following in groups or pairs:
1. Composite culture of our country
Ans. India’s composite culture represents a unique synthesis of diverse traditions, religions, and influences that have been shaped over millennia. This fusion promotes unity in diversity, blending indigenous and external elements into a cohesive national identity. The roots of this tradition trace back to ancient interactions among the Dravidians, Aryans, and later invaders, including Turks, Persians, and Mughals. During medieval times, especially from the 12th to 16th centuries, Hindu and Islamic elements merged, creating Indo-Islamic culture evident in architecture, music, and literature. The Bhakti and Sufi movements bridged Hindu and Muslim beliefs, emphasising devotion over ritualism and fostering tolerance. Structures like the Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar combine Persian, Turkish, and Indian styles. Urdu emerged from Hindi and Persian, while poets like Kabir promoted universal spirituality. This culture drives social harmony, economic growth through tourism and crafts, and political stability via secularism. Festivals like Diwali and Eid are celebrated collectively, reinforcing inclusivity amid diversity.
2. Musical instruments of your area
Ans. India boasts a rich array of traditional musical instruments integral to its classical, folk, and devotional music traditions. These instruments, classified under categories like string, wind, percussion, and idiophones, reflect the country’s cultural diversity and composite heritage. String instruments dominate Hindustani and Carnatic classical music, producing resonant melodies through plucking or bowing. Sitar is long-necked lute with sympathetic strings, iconic in North Indian music. Sarod is a deep-toned instrument, played in dhrupad and khayal styles. Veena is an ancient fretted instrument, central to South Indian Carnatic tradition. Sarangi is a bowed fiddle mimicking the human voice. Wind instruments add lyrical and festive tones, often used in ensembles. Bansuri is a bamboo flute favoured by Krishna in folklore, key in both North and South traditions. Shehnai is a double-reed oboe for auspicious occasions like weddings. Nadaswaram is a powerful South Indian reed instrument for temple rituals. Percussion provides rhythmic foundation, varying by region and genre. Tabla is a pair of hand drums, versatile in classical improvisation. Mridangam is a barrel drum in Carnatic music, tuned for complex talas. Pakhawaj is a larger barrel drum linked to dhrupad style. Idiophones like manjira (cymbals), ghatam (clay pot), and ghungroo (ankle bells) enhance rhythm in folk and dance forms.
C.3. COMPOSITION
1. Imagine yourself as young Bismillah and write in 10 lines about your attachment to Benaras (Varanasi).
Ans. Benaras is a beautiful place. The serenity of the Vishnu temple, accompanied by the divine spiritual power, captivates me every single day. I am thankful towards my uncle, Ali Bux, for letting me come with him to the Vishnu temple. His shehnai music, coupled with the sounds of the Ganga river and temples of Balaji and Mangala maiya spark my creativity. The flowing waters of the Ganga river are a source of inspiration for me. I can focus on inventing new ragas due to the peacefulness of Benaras. It is amazing how the place can help me invent ragas outside the range of the instrument. Benaras is truly enchanting.
2. Write in about 100 words the achievements of Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Ans. Ustad Bismillah Khan revolutionised Indian classical music by elevating the shehnai from a ceremonial folk instrument to a concert-stage virtuoso. His breakthrough came in 1937 at the All India Music Conference in Kolkata, where his mastery of ragas, intricate taans, and vocal-like phrasing stunned audiences. He performed at India’s first Independence Day in 1947 from the Red Fort, symbolising national unity. His performance of Raga Kafi set the stage for Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech. Khan also contributed to Bollywood music by working on ‘Gunj Uthi Shehnai’ and ‘Sanadhi Apanna’. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001. He also won the Padma Vibhushan, the Padmashri, and the Padma Bhushan. He promoted Hindu-Muslim harmony through his music.
D. WORD STUDY
D.1. Dictionary Use:
Ex. 1. Correct the spelling of the following words:
| mucisal | awardeb | conapnoin |
| auditoriun | instrunmint |
Ans.
| musical | awarded | companion |
| auditorium | instrument |
Ex. 2. Look up a dictionary and write two meanings of the following words – the one in which it is used in the lesson and other which is more common.
| impressed | traditional | favourite |
| auspicious | ancestor | coveted |
| heritage | hollow | prestigious |
Ans.
| impressed | feeling or showing admiration or respect for someone or something | Applied to something using pressure |
| auspicious | Promising to bring good fortune | favourable |
| heritage | features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings | property that is or may be inherited |
| traditional | A custom that is in practice for several years | A part of a tradition |
| ancestor | The forefathers of someone | One who is the predecessor |
| hollow | Empty from within | without real significance or value |
| favourite | The one who is preferred than others fo the same kind | One who is treated with kindness by someone in authority |
| coveted | much desired | to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others. |
| prestigious | reputed | inspiring respect and admiration |
D.2. Word Formation
Ex. Study the following sentence:
And for this reason it is still played in temples and is an indispensable component of any North Indian wedding.
Mark how ‘indispensable’ is made of ‘dispense’ (verb), prefix ‘in’ and suffix ‘-able’.
Now make ten more words, adding suffix – able’ to different verbs.
Ans.
use + able = usable
discern + able = discernable
approach + able = approachable
like + able = likeable
love + able = loveable
enjoy + able = enjoyable
compare + able = comparable
fold + able = foldable
walk + able = walkable
heat + able = heatable
D.3. Word Meaning
Ex. 1. Match the words or phrases in column A with their meanings given in column B.
| A | B |
| promising to bring good fortune | souvenir |
| things considered as a group | auspicious |
| believing strongly in a religion | ensemble |
| given (a title, degree etc) | conferred |
| something that reminds one of a place, occasion or event | devout |
Ans.
| A | B |
| promising to bring good fortune | auspicious |
| things considered as a group | ensemble |
| believing strongly in a religion | devout |
| given (a title, degree etc) | conferred |
| something that reminds one of a place, occasion or event | souvenir |
D.4. Phrase
Ex. 1. Read the lesson carefully and find out 10 sentences in which phrases have been used. Use these phrases in sentences of your own.
Ans.
| Phrase | Sentence from book | New Sentence |
| take to | The young boy took to music early in life. | I took to painting when I was five years old. |
| make it | Work hard and you shall make it. | You cannot make it if you cry over every failure. |
| pour your heart out | He poured his heart out into Raga Kaafi. | Art is made when you pour your heart out on your art pieces. |
| take in | King Zahir Shah was so taken in by the maestro that he gifted him priceless Persian carpets and other souvenirs. | I was so taken in by the Taj Mahal that my heart skipped a beat. |
| part of | In the past, the shehnai was part of the naubat or traditional ensemble of nine instruments found at royal courts. | Her performance is a part of the musical event. |
| goes to | The credit for bringing this instrument onto the classical stage goes to Ustaad Bismillah Khan. | The first prize in the 100 m race goes to Nandini. |
| on end | Ali Bux would play the shehnai and Bismillah would sit captivated for hours on end. | I can sleep for hours on end. |
| come to terms with | I just can’t come to terms with the artificiality and glamour of the film world. | I can’t come to terms with the unusual work demands. |
| Few think | Few had thought that it would one day be revived. | Few had thought that he could be a capable leader. |
| thick and fast | Awards and recognition came thick and fast. | People ran out of the mall thick and fast. |
G. TRANSLATION
Translate into Hindi/ your mother language
Bismillah Khan has given many memorable performances both in India and abroad. His first trip abroad was to Afghanistan where King Zahir Shah was so taken in by the maestro that he gifted him priceless Persian carpets and other souvenirs. The King of Afghanistan was not the only one to be fascinated with Bismillah’s music. Film director Vijay Bhatt was so impressed after hearing Bismillah play at a festival that he named a film after the instrument called Gunj Uthi Shehnal. The film was a hit, and one of Bismillah Khan’s composition, “Dil ka khilona hai toot gaya…,” turned out to be a nationwide chartbuster! Despite this huge success in the celluloid world, Bismillah Khan’s success in film music was limited to two: Vijay Bhatt’s Gunj Uthi Shehnai and Vikram Srinivas’s Kannada venture, Sanadhi Apanna. “I just can’t come to terms with the artificiality and glamour of the film world,” he says with emphasis.
Ans.
बिस्मिल्लाह खान ने भारत और विदेश दोनों जगह कई यादगार प्रस्तुतियां दी हैं। उनकी पहली विदेश यात्रा अफगानिस्तान की थी, जहां बादशाह ज़ाहिर शाह उनसे इतने प्रभावित हुए कि उन्होंने उन्हें बेशकीमती फ़ारसी कालीन और अन्य स्मृति चिन्ह भेंट किए। बिस्मिल्लाह के संगीत से मुग्ध होने वाले अफगानिस्तान के बादशाह अकेले नहीं थे। फिल्म निर्देशक विजय भट्ट बिस्मिल्लाह को एक समारोह में बजाते हुए सुनकर इतने प्रभावित हुए कि उन्होंने एक फिल्म का नाम उनके वाद्य यंत्र के नाम पर ‘गुंज उठी शहनाई’ रख दिया। फिल्म हिट रही और बिस्मिल्लाह खान की एक रचना, “दिल का खिलौना है टूट गया…”, देशभर में धूम मचाने वाला गाना बन गई! सिनेमा जगत में इतनी बड़ी सफलता के बावजूद, फिल्म संगीत में बिस्मिल्लाह खान की सफलता दो फिल्मों तक ही सीमित रही: विजय भट्ट की ‘गुंज उठी शहनाई’ और विक्रम श्रीनिवास की कन्नड़ फिल्म ‘सनाधि अपन्ना’। वे जोर देकर कहते हैं, “फिल्म जगत की बनावटीपन और चकाचौंध मुझे बिल्कुल भी भाती नहीं है।”
Bihar Board Class 9 English Chapter 6 The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based questions
A.
Few had thought that it would one day be revived. A barber of a family of professional musicians, who had access to the royal palace, decided to improve the tonal quality of the pungi. He chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was longer and broader than the pungi, and made seven holes on the body of the pipe.
Q1. What does ‘it’ refer to?
Ans. It refers to a reeded musical instrument called the pungi.
Q2. Why did ‘it’ need to be revived?
Ans. The pungi was forbidden in the royal residence by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb because he thought its sound was loud and unpleasant. It had to be revived as a result.
Q3. Why was “it” likely of interest to the barber?
Ans. The barber came from a musically-inclined household. That is perhaps why he was drawn to the pungi, a reeded musical instrument.
Q4. Has ‘it’ been improved by him? Yes, but how?
Ans. Yes, he was successful in enhancing the pungi’s tonal quality. He used a reed or a pipe with a longer, wider natural hollow stem than the pungi. He punctured it seven times. It didn’t generate the shrill, unpleasant sound of the previous pungi when played; instead, it produced gentle, melodic melody.
B.
As the story goes, since it was first played in the Shah’s chambers and was played by a nai (barber), the instrument was named the ‘shehnai’. The sound of the shehnai began to be considered auspicious. And for this reason it is still played in temples and is an indispensable component of any North Indian wedding.
Q1. What is ‘it’ here?
Ans. It is shehnai – a musical instrument made with a hollow stem with seven holes in it.
Q2. How did ‘it’ get its name?
Ans. In the emperor’s rooms, the barber played the instrument. In Urdu, “Shah” means “emperor,” and “nai” means “barber.” The two terms were merged to create the name “shehnai,” which was an enhanced version of the word “pungi.”
Q3. Find a synonym of lucky from the extract.
Ans. auspicious
Q4. What does the instrument being played in the royal court represent?
Ans. This shows that the tonal quality of shehnai was better than that of the pungi
C.
Till recently it was used only in temples and weddings. The credit for bringing this instrument onto the classical stage goes to Ustad Bismillah Khan. As a five-year old, Bismillah Khan played gilli-danda near a pond in the ancient estate of Dumraon in Bihar. He would regularly go to the nearby Bihariji temple to sing the Bhojpuri ‘Chaita’, at the end of which he would earn a big laddu weighing 1.25 kg, a prize given by the local Maharaja.
Q1. Which instrument is being referred to in the extract that was used in temples and at weddings?
Ans. The instrument is referred to in the extract is ‘shehnai’.
Q2. Why do you think that it was used only in temples and weddings?
Ans. Shehnai’s beautiful melodies were revered as lucky because of their beauty. Shehnai came to be played there since the temple is a sacred location and a wedding is a fortunate event.
Q3. Who was Ustad Bismillah Khan?
Ans. The well-known shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan made a substantial contribution to the shehnai’s advancement as an important musical instrument.
Q4. How was the shehnai introduced to the classical theatre by Bismillah Khan?
Ans. Because of the unique tunes he created, Bismillah Khan provided a huge service to the shehnai, which is now recognised as a classical music instrument.
D.
The flowing waters of the Ganga inspired him to improvise and invent raagas that were earlier considered to be beyond the range of the shehnai. At the age of 14, Bismillah accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad Music Conference. At the end of his recital, Ustad Faiyaz Khan patted the young boy’s back and said, “Work hard and you shall make it.” With the opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938 came Bismillah’s big break. He soon became an often-heard shehnai player on radio.
Q1. What inspired Ustad Bismillah Khan?
Ans. Ustad Bismillah Khan was inspired by the flowing waters of the Ganga.
Q2. What effect did he experience from the Ganges waters?
Ans. He was inspired to create such raagas which were thought to be beyond the range of the shehnai.
Q3. What did he do at the age of 14
Ans. At the age of 14, Bismillah accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad Music Conference.
Q4. What did Ustad Faiyaz Khan say to him?
Ans. At the end of his recital, Ustad Faiyaz Khan patted the young boy’s back and said, “Work hard and you shall make it.”
E.
When India gained independence on 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan became the first Indian to greet the nation with his shehnai. He poured his heart out into Raag Kafi from the Red Fort to an audience which included Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who later gave his famous ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech.
Q1. Explain the expression: “He poured his heart out.”
Ans. The phrase implies that Bismillah Khan, a true patriot, was ecstatic at the announcement of India’s independence, and that this excitement is where the music played on the shehnai came from.
Q2. On which occasion did he play Raag Kafi for the audience?
Ans. He played Raag Kafi for the audience on the occasion of the independence of India on August 15, 1947.
Q3. Which instrument did he play upon on this occasion?
Ans. He played upon the shehnai, the music of which is considered auspicious in India.
Q4. Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘renowned’.
Ans. Famous
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What did Aurangzeb ban in his palace?
A) playing of Pungi
B) playing Sitar
C) playing music
D) none
Ans. A) playing of Pungi
2. Why was playing Pungi in Aurangzeb’s palace banned?
A) it had a sharp sound
B) it wasn’t good
C) it was unpleasant
D) all
Ans. D) all
3. Who thought of improving the sound of the Pungi?
A) a musician
B) a singer
C) a barber
D) none
Ans. C) a barber
4. How is the Shehnai different from the Pungi?
A) Shehnai has a better sound
B) Shehnai looks more beautiful
C) Shehnai is made of wood
D) All
Ans. D) All
5. Who changed the perception of the Shehnai?
A) Tansen
B) Evelyn
C) Bismillah Khan
D) All
Ans. C) Bismillah Khan
6. Where was the Shehnai traditionally played?
A) In temples
B) in wedding ceremonies
C) auspicious ceremonies
D) all
Ans. D) all
7. When did Bismillah get his first big break as a Shehnai performer?
A) in 1938, when All India Radio came into existence
B) 1945
C) 1987
D) 1989
Ans. A) in 1938, when All India Radio came into existence
8. Why did Bismillah refuse to go to the U.S.A.?
A) because the Shehnai had no future there
B) he didn’t like the place
C) because of his love for Banaras and river Ganges
D) all
Ans. C) because of his love for Banaras and river Gange
9. Where did Bismillah play the Shehnai on 15th August 1947?
A) at Ganga Ghat
B) in Banaras
C) near Red Fort
D) at Kaashi
Ans. C) near Red Fort
10. Why was the event of Shehnai Playing on 15th August a historic one?
A) Bismillah became popular
B) people appreciated his performance
C) it was Independence day
D) all
Ans. C) it was Independence day
11.- From where did Shahnai get its name?
A) From barber (Nai in Hindi)-+ King (Shah in Hindi)
B) From a Barber
C) King gave its name
D) None
Ans. A) From King (Shah in Hindi) + barber (Nai in Hindi)
12. Shehnai is a refined version of which instrument?
A) musical instrument
B) mouth organ
C) Guitar
D) Pungi
Ans. D) Pungi
13. Where did Bismillah give his first break through performance?
A) at the Red Fort
B) at Varanasi
C) at All India Radio
D) U.S.A
Ans. C) at All India Radio
14. According to the lesson,who was present on the event of 15th August,1947?
A) J L Nehru
B) M K Gandhi
C) Rajendra Prasad
D) All of these
Ans. A) J L Nehru
15- Bismillah Khan was also known as ___________.
A) Khansaab
B) Bismillahsaab
C) Kingsaab
D) Ustadsaab
Ans. A) Khansaab
Extra Questions
Q1. Why did Aurangzeb forbid the pungi’s use?
Ans. Emperor Aurangzeb prohibited the playing of the pungi because he thought its harsh, shrill, and disagreeable sound made it a reeded noisemaker. He forbade its use at the court of the king.
Q2. Why did “pungi” come to be known as “reeded noisemakers”?
Ans. Loud, unpleasant, and disturbing music was produced by the pungi. Aurangzeb forbade the strident music in the royal residence because of it. It acquired the term “reeded noisemakers” because it was made of reeds and created loud noises.
Q3. How is a ‘shehnai’ different from a pungi?
Ans. A shehnai is a reeded instrument similar to a pungi, but it is wider and has a different sound. Instead of the loud, startling sound that a pungi makes, it makes soothing, lyrical noises because its stem is longer and wider than that of a pungi.
Q4. What form did the pungi take after being revived?
Ans. A barber who came from a family of talented musicians reintroduced the pungi after Aurangzeb forbade its use in the royal residence by drilling seven holes in a broader, longer hollow stem. The enhanced pungi created gentle, pleasing tones.
Q5. In which country did Bismillah Khan travel for the first time? How did they honour him there?
Ans. During Bismillah Khan’s first voyage abroad, he visited Afghanistan, where King Zahir Shah was so moved by the maestro’s shehnai performance that he presented him with gifts of rare Persian carpets and other mementos.
Q6. Which films did Bismillah Khan provide music for? Why did he discontinue playing the shehnai for films?
Ans. With “Gunj Uthi Shehnai” by Vijay Bhatt, Bismillah Khan made his film debut. After that, he appeared in the Kannada movie “Samadhi Apanna”. Despite his great success, he left the film industry since his preferences did not mesh well with the glitz and artificiality of the industry
Q7. “Music has no religion.” How did Bismillah Khan’s Shehnai prove it?
Ans. The voice of the soul is music. It serves as a source of inspiration for everyone and is eternal. A musician will never perform music for a specific religion. Muslim singer Bismillah Khan performed the role of Shehnai in temples. Benaras, a holy city, and the Ganga, a sacred river, held a special place in his heart. His primary source of inspiration was the Ganga and its flowing water. He was never able to imagine abandoning Benaras and the sacred Ganges.
He loved music ever since he was a young child. He began singing Bhojpuri Chaita at the Bihariji temple in Dumraon when he was five years old. A student from the USA once requested him to lead a Shehnai school there since his love of music was so profoundly impacted by Benaras and the Ganga. He pledged to replicate the temple and create the ambience of Benaras in the USA. However, Bismillah Khan would not concede that he could not transport the Ganga there.
Q8. Describe the life and character of Ustad Bismillah Khan with emphasis on values of his character you should imbibe.
Ans. Ustad Bismillah Khan excelled at playing the shehnai. In the state of Bihar, he was born in a hamlet. He came from a musically-inclined household. He elevated Shehnai to international renown as a musical instrument. The highest civilian honour bestowed upon him was the “Bharat Ratna” by the Indian government. A real patriot, he was.
When given multiple opportunities to relocate abroad, he never expressed an interest. Shehnai was very dear to Bismillah. He studied under his maternal uncle Ali Bux and worked diligently on the serene banks of the Ganga. For pupils, his life is inspirational. He imparts to them the idea that people should abandon prejudice. They ought to adopt morals from various religions.