Page 1 - SOUND ... MUSIC II- MODULE
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Sai International School


                                        Class IX- English

                          Module 11-The Sound of Music (part 2)

                         Subtitle- The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan


          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 greatest 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 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 barriers.
               The author‘s focus on Bismillah Khan‘s achievements in the field of classical
                 shehnai 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 opportunities.
               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  ‗The  Sound  of  Music‘  and  the  subtitle  ‗The  Shehnai  of  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 also 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.
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