CBSE Class 9 English Chapter 6 ‘Twin Melodies’, Line by Line Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from Kaveri Book
“Twin Melodies” is a beautifully written and deeply meaningful play by Mitra Phukan. It appears in the NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Book as Chapter 6. The play is set in contemporary India and revolves around a young girl named Shruti who loves both Classical Hindustani music and Indo-Western fusion music. Her father Nabin Sharma is a strict and traditional master violinist who believes that only Classical Hindustani music is worth playing. The play beautifully shows how Shruti finds the courage to tell her father the truth and how her father eventually realizes that music in all its forms deserves to be celebrated and respected. The play teaches us that open communication, courage and mutual respect are the foundations of every healthy relationship and that tradition and innovation can beautifully coexist with each other.
Question: What are the Important Keywords / Value Points of ‘Twin Melodies’?
- Shruti’s Dilemma, Caught Between Love and Passion: Shruti deeply loves and respects her father and does not want to hurt his feelings. At the same time she is passionate about Indo-Western fusion music and wants to perform with her friends. This inner conflict between love for her family and passion for her art is the central dilemma of the entire play. It shows us that growing up often means finding the courage to be honest about who we are and what we love even when it is difficult and uncomfortable.
- Friends as Support System, The Power of Encouragement: Iqbal, Avinash and Peter play a very important role in the play. They notice Shruti’s distress, listen to her fears patiently and encourage her warmly to speak to her father. Their support and friendship give Shruti the courage she needs to face a difficult situation. This shows us that true friends do not just share good times, they also help us find the strength to face our most difficult moments with courage and confidence.
- Nabin Sharma, Traditional but Not Unreachable: Nabin Sharma initially appears to be a rigid and unyielding father who dismisses fusion music completely. But when he actually hears the children perform he is moved deeply and his attitude changes completely. This shows us that even the most traditional and strict people are capable of change when they truly listen and observe with an open heart. Nabin’s transformation is the most important and most touching moment in the entire play.
- Leela’s Role, The Wise and Gentle Bridge: Leela plays a quietly powerful role in the play. She scolds Shruti for hiding the truth but also gently reminds Nabin of his own past. She is the bridge between father and daughter, understanding both sides deeply. Her wisdom and quiet strength are what ultimately bring about the beautiful reconciliation between Nabin and Shruti. She shows us that a mother’s gentle wisdom can resolve even the most difficult family conflicts.
- Nabin’s Own Past, History Repeating Itself: The most powerful revelation in the play is that Nabin himself had gone against his own family’s wishes when he had chosen to play the violin instead of becoming a vocalist like the rest of his traditional family. His father had seen this as a betrayal of family values. Yet Nabin went on to become a master violinist. This beautiful parallel between Nabin’s past and Shruti’s present shows us that every generation must be given the freedom to find its own musical and creative voice.
- Twin Melodies, Tradition and Innovation Together: The title “Twin Melodies” is deeply symbolic. It refers to the beautiful coexistence of Classical Hindustani music and Indo-Western fusion music in the play. Just as two different melodies can blend together to create something more beautiful than either could alone, tradition and innovation can also coexist beautifully and enrich each other. The play shows us that music, like life, is most beautiful when it is open, free and inclusive of all forms of expression.
Twin Melodies Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Play Title | Twin Melodies |
| Author | Mitra Phukan |
| Book | NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Book |
| Chapter No. | Chapter 6 |
| Narrator | Stage Directions and Dialogues |
| Setting | Contemporary India, Iqbal’s Room and Shruti’s Home |
| Theme | Tradition vs Innovation, Courage, Family Understanding and Music |
- Twin Melodies Summary
- Twin Melodies Theme based Questions
- Twin Melodies Explanation
- Twin Melodies Summary in Hindi
Related:
Question: What is the Summary of the Class 9 English Chapter ‘Twin Melodies’
Ans. “Twin Melodies” is an engaging and heartwarming play that beautifully explores the themes of tradition versus innovation, courage and family understanding through the story of a young musician named Shruti.
The play opens with four young friends, Shruti, Iqbal, Avinash and Peter, rehearsing an Indo-Western fusion music piece together. Shruti plays the violin, Iqbal the flute, Avinash the tabla and Peter the keyboard. After the rehearsal the boys notice that Shruti looks distressed. They realize she has still not told her father Nabin Sharma about their group practice sessions or the upcoming concert. The boys encourage Shruti to speak to her father that very evening.
That night at dinner Shruti nervously tells her father about the Indo-Western fusion concert. Nabin Sharma reacts very strongly and negatively. He firmly believes that Classical Hindustani music with its ragas and aalaaps is the only true form of music worth playing. He dismisses fusion music mockingly and leaves the table angrily. Shruti’s mother Leela scolds her for hiding the practice sessions and tells her to go to sleep.
The next day Shruti goes to Iqbal’s house for practice with a heavy heart. She decides that she will enjoy one last practice and then tell her friends she cannot perform at the concert. In the middle of their performance Shruti’s parents quietly enter the room and stand in a corner watching and listening. Slowly both parents become completely engrossed in the beautiful music. Nabin Sharma begins tapping his feet and is clearly enjoying the performance. When the music ends he claps furiously with an expression of great pride on his face.
Nabin praises all four children warmly and even offers them his music room for regular practice. Shruti then speaks privately to her parents and thanks her father for his support. Nabin tells her that it was her mother Leela who had opened his eyes. Leela then reminds Nabin of his own past, how his father had been deeply hurt when Nabin chose to play the violin instead of singing as a vocalist like the rest of their traditional family. Just as Nabin had followed his heart against his father’s wishes, Shruti too deserved the same freedom and trust. Nabin warmly places his hand on Shruti’s shoulder and tells her he trusts her completely and will root for her group at the concert. Shruti joyfully hugs both her parents.
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Questions Based on the Themes of ‘Twin Melodies’
Question: How does the play show the theme of tradition versus innovation?
Ans.The play beautifully explores the tension between tradition and innovation through the conflict between Nabin Sharma and his daughter Shruti. Nabin represents the traditional world of Classical Hindustani music while Shruti represents the new generation’s desire to explore and experiment with fusion music. The play ultimately shows that tradition and innovation are not enemies, they are twin melodies that can coexist beautifully and enrich each other when approached with an open mind and a generous heart.
Question: What is the importance of communication in the play?
Ans. Communication is the central theme of the play. Almost every problem in the story arises because Shruti does not communicate honestly with her parents. She hides her practice sessions, avoids telling them about the concert and suffers silently with her dilemma. When she finally speaks honestly the situation begins to resolve. The play powerfully shows us that open and honest communication is the most important foundation of any healthy and loving family relationship.
Question: How does the play justify its title “Twin Melodies”?
Ans. The title works beautifully on two levels. Literally it refers to the two musical forms in the play, Classical Hindustani music and Indo-Western fusion music. Symbolically it represents the two generations, Nabin’s traditional world and Shruti’s modern world, learning to understand and appreciate each other. Just as two different melodies blend together to create something more beautiful, the two generations in the play ultimately find harmony and understanding making the title perfectly fitting and deeply meaningful.
Question: Describe the writing style of Mitra Phukan in this play.
Ans. Mitra Phukan writes in a warm, natural and engaging style that feels very close to real life. The dialogues are lively, humorous and completely natural making the characters feel like real people. The play builds tension gradually through Shruti’s growing anxiety and then releases it beautifully through the moving scene of Nabin hearing the children perform. The use of three acts gives the play a clear and satisfying structure. The revelation of Nabin’s own past is brilliantly placed and creates a deeply emotional and meaningful climax to the entire play.
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Twin Melodies Lesson Explanation
ACT I
Question: What is the opening scene’s musical performance and Shruti’s reaction in Iqbal’s room?
Passage: The scene opens to the notes of a beautiful Indo-Western fusion music piece in its crescendo. There are four children on stage playing in a room that has a small rack and a wooden table stacked with books. On the wall are posters of famous Indian flute players Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Shashank Subramanyam. The room belongs to Iqbal, who is playing the flute. On the tabla is Avinash, Peter on the keyboard, and Shruti on the violin. Soon they wind up their performance and are packing up their musical instruments. Shruti wears a look of distress on her face.
Word Meanings
fusion: combination of different styles
crescendo: gradually increasing sound
rack: a shelf for keeping things
stacked: piled up
wind up: finish
instruments: musical tools
distress: worry or sadness
Explanation/Answer: The scene begins with a musical performance by four children who are playing different instruments together, creating a fusion of Indian and Western music. The setting is a room filled with books and decorated with posters of famous flute players, showing a strong musical environment.
Iqbal plays the flute, Avinash the tabla, Peter the keyboard, and Shruti the violin. After finishing their performance, they start packing their instruments. However, Shruti looks worried or upset, which hints that something is troubling her and may become important in the next part of the story.
Question: How do Iqbal, Avinash, and Peter react to Shruti’s newspaper praise, and what do they suspect?
Passage:
PETER : That was a good rehearsal. Well done guys! Let’s meet again tomorrow.
IQBAL : (picking up a newspaper from his desk) Wait wait, before anyone goes. Did any of you guys read what they wrote about Shruti’s performance with her father yesterday in the Parbatpuri Daily Clarion? Ahem ahem, “Melody runs in the veins of Miss Shruti Sharma, daughter of the master violinist Nabin Sharma!”
AVINASH : Oh ho! Wow Shruti! You are a sensation now! The least you can do is throw a party!
PETER: Shruti Sharma for the win, sweating on the vi-o-lin!
(Shruti remains unaffected, lost in her thoughts. The boys surround her trying to distract her.)
PETER : Shruti!
IQBAL (a little loudly): Shruti!
AVINASH (very loudly): SHRUTI!
(Shruti is startled. There is silence for a few seconds while Shruti finds the words)
AVINASH : Oh god, don’t tell me you still haven’t told Nabin sir about the concert!
Word Meanings
crescendo: music gradually becoming louder
rehearsal: practice for a performance
sensation: someone very famous or popular
unaffected: not showing any reaction
startled: suddenly surprised or shocked
Explanation/Answer: After finishing their musical practice, Peter praises the group and suggests meeting again. Iqbal then reads a newspaper article praising Shruti, calling her talented like her father, a famous violinist.
Avinash and Peter tease and congratulate Shruti, calling her a “sensation” and joking about celebrating her success. However, Shruti does not react and seems lost in her thoughts, showing that something is troubling her.
Even when her friends call her loudly, she appears distracted and worried. Finally, Avinash hints at the reason, Shruti has not yet told her father about an upcoming concert.
This passage shows a contrast between Shruti’s success and her inner tension, building curiosity about her problem.
Question: Why is Shruti afraid to tell her father Nabin about the fusion practices and concert?
Passage:
PETER : Does that mean you have still not told your parents about these practises? Just tell them you come for the practice from 4 to 5!
IQBAL : Yes Shruti. Just tell them you practise with us. Tell them about the concert. There is no need to worry!
SHRUTI: There is need to worry Iqbal! You don’t know papa. He is very strict about these things. He will think it a desecration of the violin to be played to Western tunes. Papa firmly believes that Classical Hindustani music, with its ragas and aalaaps, is the only kind of music that an artist of any worth should play. I don’t want papa to feel that I don’t care about his opinions, because I do. It’s just that I want to give this a try too. I just don’t know how to tell him in the right way!
Word Meanings
practises: practice sessions
desecration: disrespect or misuse of something sacred
Classical Hindustani music: traditional North Indian classical music
ragas: musical patterns in Indian classical music
sacred ragas and aalaaps: elements of Hindustani classical music
aalaaps: slow introductory part of a raga
artist of any worth: a truly valuable or respected artist
opinions: beliefs or views
Explanation/Answer: Peter and Iqbal encourage Shruti to tell her parents about the practice sessions and the concert. They think it is simple and that she should not worry.
However, Shruti explains her problem. Her father is very strict and strongly believes in traditional Hindustani classical music. He feels that playing Western music on the violin would be disrespectful.
Shruti respects her father’s views and does not want to hurt him, but at the same time, she wants to explore new styles of music. She feels confused and does not know how to express her thoughts to her father properly.
This passage highlights Shruti’s inner conflict between respecting tradition and following her own interests.
Question: In the class 9 English lesson Twin Melodies, how do the friends encourage Shruti to confront her father about the fusion concert?
Passage:
IQBAL: All ways are right ways, Shruti. He is your father, he will understand.
AVINASH : I agree. You are making matters worse for yourself by not talking to him. What’s the worst that can happen? He will scold you a little, maybe. But he will eventually come round.
IQBAL : Yes Shruti. And what is a little bit of scolding? I basically have a little bit of scolding for breakfast every day! (all laugh)
SHRUTI: You are right guys; I guess it is time to bite the bullet. Thanks for encouraging me again! Tonight, at dinner, I promise to bring this up.
PETER : That’s the spirit!
Word Meanings
desecration: disrespect towards something
sacred ragas and aalaaps: elements of Hindustani classical music
ragas and aalaaps: parts of Hindustani classical music
come round: change opinion and agree
bite the bullet: face a difficult situation bravely
spirit: positive attitude or courage
Explanation/Answer: Iqbal and Avinash encourage Shruti to talk honestly with her father. They assure her that he will eventually understand and that avoiding the situation will only make things worse.
Iqbal adds humor by joking about getting scolded daily, which lightens the mood and helps Shruti feel less afraid. Their support gives her confidence.
Finally, Shruti decides to “bite the bullet,” meaning she will face the difficult situation bravely and talk to her father about the concert. Peter appreciates her courage and motivates her further.
This passage highlights friendship, encouragement, and the importance of facing problems instead of avoiding them.
ACT II
Question: How does Shruti begin her difficult conversation with her parents after dinner, in the lesson Twin Melodies from Kaveri book?
Passage: Shruti’s parents are cleaning the table after dinner, going to and fro from the kitchen to the dining room. Shruti is still stuck on the last bite and is seemingly lost in thoughts.
NABIN: Shruti, staring at the dosa is not going to make it disappear. I am afraid you will have to eat it.
LEELA: Shruti, why are you lost in thought, my dear child? If you are trying to find the right words to tell your dad that I make much better dosa than him, I suggest you abandon the mission. He doesn’t have the strength to face the truth.
SHRUTI: Yes, actually I … er … was finding the right words to say something to you … to you papa. But please promise to not get too angry with me.
Word Meanings
going to and fro: moving back and forth
seemingly: apparently
lost in thoughts: deeply thinking
abandon: leave or give up
mission: task or aim
Explanation/Answer: The scene shifts to Shruti’s home after dinner. Her parents are busy cleaning, while Shruti sits quietly, lost in her thoughts, showing that she is nervous about something.
Her father, Nabin, jokingly tells her to finish her food, and her mother, Leela, adds humor by teasing about dosa-making. This creates a light and friendly atmosphere at home.
Finally, Shruti gathers courage and begins to speak. She hesitates and asks her father not to get angry, which shows her fear and anxiety about sharing something important.
This passage builds tension as Shruti prepares to reveal her concern, highlighting her nervousness and the supportive yet unaware mood of her parents.
Question: How does Nabin immediately reject Shruti’s concert request and why?
Passage:
NABIN: (suddenly serious. Sits down opposite to Shruti in an upright formal manner) No promises, child. But speak up.
SHRUTI: Papa, actually … there … there is a concert next week. I…
NABIN: (calmly but firmly) No is the answer. You know my rule—one performance in every six months. More than that, familiarity breeds contempt. Work on your art and everything will follow. And which concert is this anyway, of which I haven’t heard?
SHRUTI: It is a group performance papa, next week.
NABIN: And this is what you have judged best for yourself? To drown your individual style in the hubbub of an orchestra is hardly a wise choice, Shruti. Besides, what exactly is this concert? I don’t know of any scheduled next week.
Word Meanings
upright: straight and formal
formal manner: serious and proper way
familiarity breeds contempt: too much exposure reduces respect
individual style: personal way of performing
hubbub: loud noise or confusion
orchestra: a group of musicians playing together
wise choice: a good decision
scheduled: planned
Explanation/Answer: Nabin suddenly becomes serious when Shruti asks to speak. He listens but refuses immediately, showing his strict nature.
Shruti tries to explain about the concert, but her father firmly reminds her of his rule—she should perform only once in six months to maintain quality and respect for her art.
When Shruti mentions that it is a group performance, Nabin disapproves. He believes that performing in an orchestra will hide her individual talent and is not a good decision. He also questions the concert, as he is unaware of it.
This passage highlights the conflict between Shruti’s wishes and her father’s strict beliefs about music and discipline.
Question: How does Nabin react when Shruti reveals the Indo-Western fusion concert?
Passage:
SHRUTI: (timidly) Papa, it’s an … an … Indo-western fusion concert.
(silence)
NABIN: (getting up) I never thought any of my students, let alone my own child, would lose their sense of musicality to such an extent. Since my views on fusion music have been iterated in this house on several occasions, I think there remains nothing for me to say now.
SHRUTI: Please papa! I request you to consider.
Just attend the practice only once and then you can decide!
Word Meanings
timidly: in a shy or fearful manner
fusion: mixture of different styles
musicality: understanding and sensitivity towards music
iterated: repeated again and again
consider: think carefully before deciding
Explanation/Answer: Shruti nervously reveals that the concert is an Indo-Western fusion performance. This creates a tense moment, shown by the silence that follows.
Nabin reacts strongly and with disappointment. He believes that fusion music weakens true musical understanding and feels hurt that even his own daughter is interested in it. He reminds her that he has already expressed his views on such music many times.
Despite his reaction, Shruti respectfully pleads with him. She requests him to at least attend one practice session before making a final decision.
This passage shows the emotional conflict between father and daughter, where Shruti tries to balance respect with her desire to follow her own interests.
Question: How do Nabin and Leela react to Shruti’s fusion concert revelation, leaving her guilty?
Passage:
NABIN (with a slight mocking tone) Sure, there’ll be a practice, for ‘phoo’ music when making noise starts needing practice.
(Nabin gets up with a start and leaves. Shruti looks at her mom.)
LEELA: Shruti! Why did you have to get yourself into this without your father’s knowledge in the first place!
SHRUTI: I know. I should have asked him. If he doesn’t let me participate, our group won’t be able to perform. All our practice will go down the drain.
LEELA: Oh of course, practice! Or should I call it “practice classes”!
SHRUTI: Sorry mummy, won’t hide from you again. I promise!
LEELA: You better not. Now you should go to sleep. Hurry up now, it’s too late already!
Word Meanings
mocking tone: a tone showing sarcasm or ridicule
phoo music: a dismissive way of referring to something as meaningless
gets up with a start: rises suddenly
knowledge: awareness or information
participate: take part
go down the drain: be wasted
hide: keep a secret
Explanation/Answer: Nabin reacts sarcastically and dismisses the fusion music by calling it “phoo music,” showing his strong disapproval. He then leaves angrily, which increases the tension in the scene.
Leela scolds Shruti for not informing her father earlier, pointing out that hiding things has made the situation worse. Shruti realizes her mistake and worries that if her father refuses permission, all their hard work will be wasted.
Leela also expresses her disappointment in a slightly sarcastic way, but Shruti apologizes and promises not to hide things again.
The scene ends with Leela telling Shruti to go to sleep, but the conflict remains unresolved, highlighting Shruti’s guilt and the strained situation at home.
ACT III
Question: How does the group, in the class 9 story ‘Twin Melodies’, prioritize practice when Shruti arrives at Iqbal’s house?
Passage: At Iqbal’s house. Avinash and Peter are there too. Shruti entering.
IQBAL: Look, Shruti is here too. Did you tell your parents finally?
PETER: Tell us later. Let’s start practice first.
AVINASH : Yes, we’d better start right away. I have to leave early today.
Word Meanings
entering: coming in
finally: at last
practice: rehearsal for performance
right away: immediately
Explanation/Answer: The scene shifts to Iqbal’s house where the group has gathered again for practice. Shruti arrives, and Iqbal immediately asks if she has told her parents about the concert.
However, Peter suggests focusing on practice first and discussing the matter later. Avinash agrees, as he has to leave early, showing a sense of urgency.
The passage shows that even though Shruti has personal worries, the group remains committed to their performance and wants to continue practicing.
Question: What inner conflict does Shruti face just before her parents witness the fusion practice?
Passage:
SHRUTI: (Aside) Oh, how much I enjoy performing this piece. Perhaps I can practise one last time and soon after that I will tell them that I can’t join them for the performance.
(They begin practice. In the middle of the performance, Shruti’s parents enter the room and stand in a corner. Slowly, her parents become engrossed and Shruti’s father taps his feet and is seen evidently enjoying. As soon as the performance comes to an end, her parents move towards the centre of the stage in the room as they clap. Nabin claps furiously. He wears an expression of pride on his face. Shruti is startled at once with the clapping.)
NABIN: Wah, how soulful! You all have done a wonderful job! You too Shruti! You did not lose sight of the notes of the raga even once and performed it to excellence.
Word Meanings
aside: words spoken to oneself
engrossed: deeply absorbed
evidently: clearly
furiously: with great energy
soulful: full of deep feeling
lose sight of: forget or ignore
raga: a pattern of notes in Indian classical music
excellence: very high quality
Explanation/Answer: Shruti expresses her inner thoughts, showing that she loves performing but has decided she might withdraw from the concert to avoid conflict with her father.
As the group begins practice, an unexpected moment occurs—her parents quietly enter and watch. Gradually, they become deeply involved in the music. Nabin, who was earlier against fusion music, is seen enjoying the performance and even tapping his feet.
After the performance ends, he praises all the children and especially appreciates Shruti for maintaining the purity of the raga while performing. His reaction shows a change in attitude and a sense of pride.
This passage marks a turning point in the story, where misunderstanding begins to fade and acceptance starts to grow.
Question: How does Nabin’s attitude toward the fusion group transform after witnessing their practice?
Passage:
LEELA: Oh yes children. You all were amazing! If this is the result, then we can say you have run your practice sessions very successfully! (Children giggle)
NABIN: Yes, Leela. In fact, I was planning to offer the children the music room. (To the children) You’ll have more equipment there and will be able to practise regularly.
AVINASH : Thank you so much! Means a lot to us!
Word Meanings
amazing: very impressive
result: outcome
successfully: in a good or effective way
giggle: laugh lightly
offer: give or provide
equipment: tools or instruments
regularly: again and again in a proper routine
Explanation/Answer: Shruti’s parents appreciate the children’s performance. Leela praises them warmly and even humorously refers to their secret practice sessions as successful.
Nabin, who was earlier against the idea, now shows a big change in attitude. He is so impressed that he offers them his music room, which has better facilities for practice. This shows his acceptance and encouragement.
Avinash expresses gratitude on behalf of the group, showing how much this support means to them.
Overall, this passage highlights a positive resolution, where understanding replaces conflict and the children receive encouragement for their talent and teamwork.
Question: What personal revelation does Nabin share with Shruti after supporting the fusion group?
Passage:
SHRUTI: Guys, if you don’t mind, why don’t you start the practice in a while. Just need to have a word. (pointing towards her parents)
PETER: Of course! No issues.
(Shruti and her parents move to one side of the stage in the room and the other children move to another. They practise in mime, that is, only their actions are seen without sound)
SHRUTI: Thank you for coming papa and mama! And papa I want to tell you that I will always take my art seriously no matter what I do. And I am glad that you support my decision to play in a fusion group.
NABIN: (warmly placing his hand on her shoulder) There is no need to thank me child. I must admit it was Leela who opened my eyes. I had forgotten my own past. It is your mother you should thank.
Word Meanings
mime: acting without speaking
issues: problems
glad: happy
support: encourage or approve
admit: accept something as true
opened my eyes: made me realize the truth
Explanation/Answer: Shruti politely asks her friends to continue practising while she talks to her parents. The stage direction shows the children practising silently, keeping the focus on the emotional conversation.
Shruti thanks her parents and assures her father that she will always respect her art, even while exploring fusion music. She also expresses happiness that he now supports her decision.
Nabin responds warmly and admits that it was Leela who helped him change his thinking. He realizes his mistake and acknowledges that he had forgotten his own past experiences.
This passage shows emotional growth, understanding, and acceptance within the family, strengthening their bond.
Question: What parallel does Leela reveal between Shruti’s fusion conflict and Nabin’s past passion of playing a violin?
Passage:
LEELA: Your own father, Shruti, had to go against his family’s wishes to play the violin. His was a family of vocalists. Your grandfather, his father, and your uncles were all vocalists belonging to a highly traditional school. They painstakingly nurtured the flame of musical heritage and kept it alive through thick and thin. Nabin’s desire to take up a Western instrument rather than cultivating his voice was painful to his father. You see, at that time the violin had not yet been incorporated into classical Indian music. Your grandfather saw this choice as a kind of betrayal of family values and tradition. But your father worked his fingers to the bone and see where the violin got him.
Word Meanings
painstakingly: done with great care and effort
worked his fingers to the bone: work very hard
Explanation/Answer: Leela explains Nabin’s past to Shruti. She tells her that Nabin also once went against his family’s wishes to follow his passion for playing the violin. His family believed in traditional vocal music and had preserved their musical heritage with great effort.
At that time, the violin was not accepted in Indian classical music, so Nabin’s decision was seen as a betrayal of family traditions. However, Nabin worked extremely hard and eventually became successful through his dedication.
This passage highlights that every generation faces conflicts between tradition and personal choice, and hard work and determination can help one achieve success.
Question: How does Nabin resolve his fears and commit to supporting Shruti’s fusion group?
Passage: NABIN: I underestimated the power of our own music. I was afraid you would be lost to us. I realise that my fears were baseless. After all each bay, its own wind. I trust you Shruti and I will root for your group at the concert!
(Shruti hugs both of her parents)
Word Meanings
root: show support
Explanation/Answer: Nabin admits his mistake. He realizes that he wrongly doubted the strength and value of their own music and feared that Shruti would move away from their traditions.
Now, he understands that his fears were unnecessary and accepts that everyone has their own journey, as shown by the phrase “each bay, its own wind.”
He expresses trust in Shruti and promises to support her in the concert. The scene ends emotionally with Shruti hugging her parents, showing love, understanding, and a happy resolution of the conflict.
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Twin Melodies FAQs
Question: Who wrote Twin Melodies?
Ans. Twin Melodies was written by Mitra Phukan. It appears in the NCERT Class 9 English Kaveri Book as Chapter 6. It is a three act play about a young girl named Shruti who loves Indo-Western fusion music and finds the courage to tell her traditional father about her passion for this form of music.
Question: What is the theme of Twin Melodies?
Ans. The central theme is that tradition and innovation can beautifully coexist. The play also explores the importance of honest communication, the courage to follow one’s passion and the power of mutual understanding and respect between parents and children in a family.
Question: Who are the main characters in Twin Melodies?
Ans. The main characters are Shruti, a young violinist who loves fusion music, Nabin Sharma, her strict traditional father and master violinist, Leela, her wise and gentle mother, and Iqbal, Avinash and Peter, her supportive and encouraging friends who form the fusion music group together.
Question: What does the title Twin Melodies mean?
Ans. The title Twin Melodies refers to two things, the two musical forms of Classical Hindustani music and Indo-Western fusion music, and the two generations of Nabin and Shruti learning to understand and appreciate each other. It beautifully symbolizes that different things can coexist harmoniously just like two melodies blending together.
Question: What is the moral of Twin Melodies?
Ans. The moral is that honest communication and mutual respect are the foundations of every healthy relationship. It also teaches us that every generation deserves the freedom to explore and follow their own creative passion and that tradition and innovation are not opposites but twin melodies that can enrich each other beautifully.
Summary of the Lesson ‘Twin Melodies in Hindi
“दो सुर” मित्रा फुकन द्वारा लिखा गया एक बेहद सुंदर और भावपूर्ण नाटक है। यह नाटक एक युवा लड़की श्रुति की कहानी है जो शास्त्रीय हिंदुस्तानी संगीत और इंडो-वेस्टर्न फ्यूजन संगीत दोनों से प्यार करती है। यह नाटक हमें सिखाता है कि परंपरा और नवाचार साथ-साथ चल सकते हैं और परिवार में खुली और ईमानदार बातचीत हर समस्या का समाधान कर सकती है।
पहला अंक (Act I)
नाटक की शुरुआत एक सुंदर इंडो-वेस्टर्न फ्यूजन संगीत की धुन के साथ होती है। इकबाल के कमरे में चार बच्चे, श्रुति, इकबाल, अविनाश और पीटर, अपने संगीत का अभ्यास कर रहे हैं। श्रुति वायलिन बजाती है, इकबाल बाँसुरी, अविनाश तबला और पीटर कीबोर्ड। अभ्यास के बाद जब सभी अपने वाद्य यंत्र बाँध रहे थे तब लड़कों ने देखा कि श्रुति के चेहरे पर परेशानी के भाव हैं। उन्हें पता चला कि श्रुति ने अभी तक अपने पिता नबीन शर्मा को न तो इन अभ्यास सत्रों के बारे में बताया है और न ही आने वाले कॉन्सर्ट के बारे में।
श्रुति ने अपने दोस्तों को बताया कि उसके पिता बहुत सख्त हैं और वे मानते हैं कि शास्त्रीय हिंदुस्तानी संगीत ही एकमात्र सच्चा संगीत है। उन्हें डर था कि पिताजी फ्यूजन संगीत को वायलिन का अपमान समझेंगे। इकबाल, अविनाश और पीटर ने श्रुति को हिम्मत दी और कहा कि उसे आज रात ही अपने पिता को सच बताना चाहिए। श्रुति ने वादा किया कि वह उसी शाम रात के खाने पर यह बात उठाएगी।
दूसरा अंक (Act II)
रात के खाने के बाद श्रुति बहुत घबराई हुई थी। उसके माता-पिता नबीन और लीला खाने की मेज साफ कर रहे थे। श्रुति अभी भी अपनी थाली में खाना छोड़कर सोच में डूबी हुई थी। उसके पिता ने मज़ाक में कहा कि दोसे को घूरने से वह गायब नहीं होगा। उसकी माँ लीला ने पूछा कि वह किस सोच में है।
श्रुति ने धीरे-धीरे अपने पिता को बताया कि अगले हफ्ते एक इंडो-वेस्टर्न फ्यूजन कॉन्सर्ट है और वह उसमें हिस्सा लेना चाहती है। यह सुनकर नबीन शर्मा बहुत गंभीर हो गए। उन्होंने कहा कि फ्यूजन संगीत में वायलिन बजाना संगीत कला का अपमान है। उन्होंने फ्यूजन संगीत का मज़ाक उड़ाया और गुस्से में उठकर चले गए। श्रुति की माँ लीला ने भी उसे डाँटा कि उसने पहले से इन अभ्यास सत्रों को छुपाया क्यों। श्रुति ने माफी माँगी और वादा किया कि वह आगे से कुछ नहीं छुपाएगी।
तीसरा अंक (Act III)
अगले दिन श्रुति भारी मन से इकबाल के घर अभ्यास के लिए गई। उसने मन में सोच लिया था कि वह एक आखिरी बार अभ्यास करेगी और फिर अपने दोस्तों को बता देगी कि वह कॉन्सर्ट में हिस्सा नहीं ले सकती। जैसे ही चारों बच्चों ने अपना संगीत शुरू किया तभी श्रुति के माता-पिता चुपचाप कमरे में आ गए और एक कोने में खड़े होकर सुनने लगे।
धीरे-धीरे संगीत की जादुई धुन ने नबीन शर्मा को भी अपने वश में कर लिया। वे अपने पैर थपथपाने लगे और उनके चेहरे पर आनंद और गर्व के भाव साफ दिखने लगे। जब संगीत समाप्त हुआ तो नबीन शर्मा ने जोर-जोर से तालियाँ बजाईं। उन्होंने सभी बच्चों की भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा की और श्रुति से कहा कि उसने रागों की धुन को एक भी पल के लिए नहीं छोड़ा। उन्होंने बच्चों को नियमित अभ्यास के लिए अपना संगीत कक्ष भी देने की पेशकश की।
इसके बाद श्रुति ने अपने माता-पिता से अलग बात की और अपने पिता का शुक्रिया अदा किया। नबीन ने कहा कि उनकी आँखें असल में लीला ने खोली हैं। लीला ने श्रुति को बताया कि उसके पिता ने भी अपने समय में अपने परिवार की इच्छाओं के विरुद्ध जाकर वायलिन चुना था। उनके पिता यानी श्रुति के दादा पूरी तरह शास्त्रीय गायन परंपरा से जुड़े थे और नबीन का वायलिन बजाने का फैसला उन्हें परिवार की परंपरा का विश्वासघात लगा था। लेकिन नबीन ने कड़ी मेहनत से अपनी पहचान बनाई।
यह सुनकर नबीन शर्मा ने गर्मजोशी से श्रुति के कंधे पर हाथ रखा और कहा कि उन्हें अपनी बेटी पर पूरा भरोसा है और वे कॉन्सर्ट में उसका उत्साहवर्धन करने जरूर आएंगे। श्रुति ने खुशी से अपने माता-पिता को गले लगा लिया।
यह नाटक हमें सिखाता है कि परंपरा और नवाचार दो अलग-अलग सुर हैं जो मिलकर एक बेहद खूबसूरत संगीत बना सकते हैं। ईमानदारी, साहस और आपसी समझ से हर रिश्ते में सामंजस्य लाया जा सकता है।
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