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Chapter-The Sound of Music (part 2)

Subtitle- Bismillah Khan; the shehnai player

Class IX

Introduction to the lesson

Penned by Deborah Cowley, this chapter gives, in brief. The life story of the great musician
Bismillah Khan. He is a Shehnai maestro. It also tells about the origin of the shehnai. Bismillah
Khan is one of the greatrest personalities of Hindustani music. He belongs to the Benaras
Gharana. He was born in Dumraon in Bihar. His interest in music was visible from his
childhood. As a Shehnai player, he had won national and international awards. He travelled all
over the world. He was also awarded the nation’s highest award, Bharat Ratna. . It also throws
light on his patriotic devotion to India and his deep love for for the Ganga in Benaras and the
estate of Dumraon in Bihar. Bismillah Khan also believed that music can bridge the gap
between different communities. So, he wanted that music should be made a compulsory
subject in schools.

Theme

▪ The feature is written on theme that music transcends all barrier.
▪ The author’s focus on Bismillah Khan’s achievements in the field of classical shshnai
reveals how this great musician’s life was devoted to his passion for shehnai.
▪ It was Bismillah Khan’s secular approach to music that sharpened his skill without any
bias towards the source of his oppurtunities.
▪ The life of this legendary musician is an example of rich, cultural heritage of India that
respects talent, irrespective of the artist.

Justification of the title

The title ‘Yhe Sound of Music’ and the subtitle ‘The Shehnai Bismillah Khan” are appropriate
as they are in accord with the contents of the feature which celebrates the melodious music
produced by Bismillah Khan’s shehnai.

It aslo describes Bismillah Khan’s evolution and the achievements as a pioneering shehnai
player.

Message

• The life sketch of Bismillah Khan teaches the important lessons that Indian music is
very rich and invigorating.
• Great musicians like Bismillah Khan not only adopted and inherited traditional music
but also enhanced it with their original contributions.
• conveys the message in Bismillah Khan’s own words; “Teach your children music, this
is Hindustan’s richest traditions; even the West is now coming to learn our music”.
• One must love one’s country and rise above communal feelings.