Notes Class 10 Chapter 3.6 Kumarbharati English Maharashtra Board

The Concert

Introduction

• Author:- Shanta Rao
• Born: 1930.
• Died: 2007.

• Indian dancer.
• Expert in Bharatnatyam, trained in Kathakali, Kuchipudi.
• Awards: Padmashri, Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Kalidas Sanman.

Story Background

• Type: True story, names changed except Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Allah Rakha.
• Setting: Bombay (Mumbai until 1995), small apartment.
• Themes: Family love, music, kindness, fulfilling wishes.

Characters

1. Smita:

• 16-year-old, Anant’s sister.
• Caring, brave, guilty about brother’s illness.

2.Anant:

• 15-year-old, has cancer.
• Talented in table tennis, running, sitar.
• Wants to see Pandit Ravi Shankar.

3. Aunt Sushila:

• Kind, hosts family in Bombay.
• Supports Smita emotionally.

4. Pandit Ravi Shankar:

• Famous sitar maestro.
• Kind, agrees to play for Anant.

5. Ustad Allah Rakha:

• Renowned tabla player.
• Agrees to perform for Anant.

6. Smita’s Parents:

• Loving, hide fears about Anant’s illness.
• Keep Anant happy.

Vocabulary

• Maestro: Expert musician.
• Murmur: Soft speech.
• Indulge: Allow enjoyment.
• Plaintive: Sad, mournful.
• Paan: Betel leaf chew.

Story Notes

1. Smita’s Excitement:

• Reads Pandit Ravi Shankar’s concert at Shanmukhananda Auditorium.
• Excited about rare opportunity.

2. Anant’s Reaction:

• Overhears Smita, excited, calls it “chance of a lifetime.”
• Tries to sit up, coughs, needs oxygen.

3. Anant’s Condition:

• Has cancer, very weak.
• Talented: table tennis, running, sitar (composes tunes).
• Family in Bombay for treatment, stays with Aunt Sushila.

4. Family’s Efforts:

• Mother warns Smita to be quiet.
• Hope for cure, know Anant is dying.
• Doctors: “Take him home, keep him happy.”
• Avoid mentioning illness, fulfill Anant’s wishes.

5. Smita’s Guilt:

• Feels bad for forgetting Anant’s illness.
• Knows Anant won’t survive.
• Took sitar lessons with Anant, he was better.

6. Anant’s Wish:

• Wants to see Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Allah Rakha.
• Mother says “when he’s better,” but he’s too weak.
• Mother suggests Smita, father go to concert.

7. Smita’s Conflict:

• Refuses to go without Anant, always did things together.
• Cries to Aunt Sushila.
• Aunt suggests park walk.

8. Smita’s Plan:

• In park, decides to ask Pandit Ravi Shankar to play for Anant.
• Tells parents she wants to go, father gets tickets.
• Anant smiles, says “enjoy yourself.”

9. The Concert:

• Smita, father in gallery, audience cheers Pandit Ravi Shankar.
• Music: ragas, slow plaintive notes, fast twinkling notes.
• Smita enchanted, thinks of Anant’s wish.

10. Smita’s Courage:

• Pushes through crowd to stage.
• Heart beating loudly, knees weak, tongue dry.
• Tells Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Allah Rakha about Anant.
• Asks them to play at Aunt Sushila’s house.

11. Musicians’ Kindness:

• Mustachioed man says Panditji is busy.
• Pandit Ravi Shankar stops him, asks Ustad Allah Rakha.
• Ustad agrees: “Tomorrow morning we perform for the boy.”

12. Smita’s Joy:

• Returns home, tells Anant musicians will play.
• Anant awake, asks if she heard Pandit Ravi Shankar.

13. Private Concert:

• Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Allah Rakha arrive at Aunt Sushila’s.
• Neighbors shocked: “Is it… It’s not possible?”
• Play for Anant by window.
• Anant passes away peacefully, filled with happiness.

Emotions

• Excitement: Smita, Anant about concert.
• Sadness: Smita’s tears, family’s grief.
• Hope: Family’s wish for cure, Smita’s plan.
• Courage: Smita asking musicians.
• Kindness: Musicians’ generosity.
• Peace: Anant’s joy at passing.