Important Questions For All Chapters – English Class 9
1. Who was Bismillah Khan?
Answer:
Ustad Bismillah Khan was a renowned Shehnai maestro from Bihar. He played a key role in bringing the Shehnai to the classical music stage and was honored with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 2001.
2. How did the Shehnai get its name?
Answer:
The Shehnai evolved from the pungi, which had a shrill sound. A barber (nai) improved its tone, and since it was first played in the Shah’s chambers, it was named the Shehnai.
3. What role did Bismillah Khan play in popularizing the Shehnai?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan introduced the Shehnai to the classical music stage, transforming it from a folk instrument played at weddings and temples to one respected in prestigious concert halls worldwide.
4. What was Bismillah Khan’s childhood like?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan spent his childhood in Dumraon, Bihar, where he played gilli-danda and sang Bhojpuri Chaita at the Bihariji temple. His family’s musical background influenced his early interest in the Shehnai.
5. Who was Bismillah Khan’s musical mentor?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan’s mentor was his maternal uncle, Ali Bux, who played the Shehnai at the Vishnu temple in Benaras. Under his guidance, young Bismillah began learning the instrument and practicing for hours.
6. How did the Ganga River influence Bismillah Khan’s music?
Answer:
The flowing waters of the Ganga inspired Bismillah Khan, who would practice on its banks. The river’s natural beauty influenced his ability to create ragas previously thought beyond the Shehnai’s range.
7. What is the significance of 15th August 1947 in Bismillah Khan’s life?
Answer:
On 15th August 1947, the day India gained independence, Bismillah Khan played Raga Kafi from the Red Fort in Delhi. His performance was part of India’s first celebration of independence, making it historically significant.
8. How did Bismillah Khan’s career in films develop?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan composed music for two films: Vijay Bhatt’s “Gunj Uthi Shehnai” and Vikram Srinivas’s “Sanadhi Apanna.” Despite these successes, he distanced himself from the film industry, preferring the purity of classical music.
9. Which international events did Bismillah Khan participate in?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan performed at several prestigious international events, including the Lincoln Center in the USA, the World Exposition in Montreal, and the Cannes Art Festival. He was also honored with an auditorium named after him in Tehran.
10. What was the first major recognition Bismillah Khan received?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan’s first major recognition came in 1938 with his performances on All India Radio in Lucknow. This platform helped popularize his music across India.
11. What did King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan gift to Bismillah Khan?
Answer:
During Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad to Afghanistan, King Zahir Shah was so impressed by his performance that he gifted him priceless Persian carpets and other valuable souvenirs.
12. What advice did Bismillah Khan give to future generations?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan encouraged young people to learn music, stating that music is India’s richest tradition. He believed that the West was also beginning to appreciate the depth of Indian music.
13. How did Bismillah Khan feel about Benaras and Dumraon?
Answer:
Despite traveling worldwide, Bismillah Khan remained deeply attached to Benaras and Dumraon. He fondly recalled their temples, the Ganga River, and the simple, traditional life that kept him grounded.
14. Why did Bismillah Khan decline to move to the USA?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan declined an offer to head a Shehnai school in the USA because he couldn’t imagine living away from the Ganga and the cultural environment of Benaras.
15. Which national awards did Bismillah Khan receive?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna, for his contributions to Indian classical music.
16. What was Bismillah Khan’s contribution to India’s cultural heritage?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan embodied India’s cultural diversity by being a devout Muslim who played the Shehnai at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. His life reflected the harmonious coexistence of different religions in India.
17. What was the significance of Bismillah Khan’s performance at the Allahabad Music Conference?
Answer:
At age 14, Bismillah Khan accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad Music Conference, where Ustad Faiyaz Khan encouraged him to work hard. This marked a turning point in his music career.
18. How did Bismillah Khan view the film industry?
Answer:
Although Bismillah Khan found success in film music, he was uncomfortable with the artificiality and glamour of the film world. He preferred the authenticity of classical music over the commercial nature of cinema.
19. What unique event took place when Bismillah Khan visited Pakistan?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan visited Pakistan only once, briefly crossing the border. He humorously recalled greeting both Pakistanis and Indians with their respective salutations before quickly returning to India.
20. How did Bismillah Khan’s music influence the world?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan’s mastery of the Shehnai transcended borders. His performances in international festivals and prestigious venues like the Lincoln Center brought global recognition to Indian classical music.
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