Summary of The Sound of Music
This text is about Evelyn Glennie, a talented musician who, despite being profoundly deaf, became one of the world's most renowned percussionists. Here is a simplified summary and explanation for students:
Summary of the Story:
Evelyn Glennie was a shy 17-year-old girl on her way to her first day at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She was excited but nervous because, unlike other students, she was completely deaf. Evelyn's hearing loss happened gradually, starting when she was a child. By the time she was 11, she had lost most of her hearing, and her teachers suggested she go to a school for the deaf. However, Evelyn was determined to pursue her love for music.
With the help of a percussion teacher, Ron Forbes, she learned to feel music through her body instead of hearing it. He taught her to sense different musical notes as vibrations in different parts of her body. Through hard work and determination, Evelyn mastered this technique and eventually became an outstanding musician.
At 16, she decided to make music her career, auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music, and achieved one of the highest marks in its history. After completing her studies, Evelyn became a famous solo percussionist, performing all over the world.
Evelyn is known not only for her musical talent but also for her ability to perform and communicate without hearing. She has learned to read lips, watch people’s facial expressions, and feel music through her body. She can sense the vibrations of instruments, like the xylophone or drums, and uses this to create beautiful music.
Evelyn’s story is inspirational. She has performed for large audiences, won major awards, and continues to give concerts in hospitals and prisons. She also teaches young musicians and inspires many deaf children by showing them that being deaf doesn't limit their ability to achieve great things.
Simplified Explanation:
Evelyn’s Background – Evelyn Glennie lost her hearing gradually as a child. By age 11, she was profoundly deaf. Despite this, she wanted to pursue music and refused to let her deafness stop her.
Learning Music Through Vibration – Evelyn’s percussion teacher helped her realize that she could "feel" music through vibrations in her body. She learned to sense different notes in different parts of her body and worked very hard to become an expert in percussion.
Success as a Musician – Evelyn was very successful in music. She auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music, scored very high, and went on to become a world-famous percussionist, performing on thousands of instruments.
Overcoming Challenges – Even though Evelyn is deaf, she communicates well by reading lips and observing people’s faces. She has also mastered playing music by feeling the vibrations of the instruments.
Inspiring Others – Evelyn’s story is an inspiration, especially for people with disabilities. She shows that with hard work and determination, people can achieve anything. She gives concerts and teaches young musicians, helping others realize their potential.
Message of the Story:
Evelyn Glennie’s life shows that nothing is impossible if you work hard and are passionate about your dreams. Even with her hearing loss, she didn’t give up on her love for music, and now she inspires millions with her talent and perseverance.
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Class 9 English | Chapter-2 |The Sound of Music | Wind
The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
This text is about Ustad Bismillah Khan, a legendary shehnai player from India, and how he revolutionized the instrument, bringing it to national and international fame. Here’s a simplified version of the text for students:
Summary of the Story:
A long time ago, Emperor Aurangzeb banned the pungi, a noisy musical instrument, from the royal palace. However, a barber who came from a family of musicians decided to improve the pungi. He made a new instrument that was longer and had seven holes. This new instrument produced soft and beautiful sounds. Since it was first played in the Shah's palace by a barber (called "nai" in Hindi), it was named the shehnai.
The shehnai became an important instrument for special occasions like weddings and religious ceremonies. However, it was Ustad Bismillah Khan who brought the shehnai to the classical music stage.
About Ustad Bismillah Khan:
Early Life:Â Bismillah Khan was born on March 21, 1916, in Bihar, into a family of musicians. His father, grandfather, and other relatives were famous shehnai players. As a child, Bismillah was fascinated by his uncle's shehnai playing and started learning from him at a young age. He would practice for hours near the Ganga River, which inspired his music.
Career Beginnings:Â At the age of 14, Bismillah performed at the Allahabad Music Conference, where a famous musician encouraged him to keep working hard. In 1938, his career took off when he got the opportunity to perform on All India Radio. This made him famous across the country.
Historic Moment:Â On August 15, 1947, the day India gained independence, Bismillah Khan played the shehnai at the Red Fort in Delhi, becoming the first person to greet the nation with music. He played the Raag Kafi in front of leaders like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
International Fame:Â Bismillah Khan performed not only in India but also in countries like Afghanistan, the USA, and many European nations. He became so famous that an auditorium in Tehran was named after him. Despite offers to stay abroad, Bismillah Khan always longed to return to his beloved Varanasi (Benaras) and the River Ganga.
Achievements and Legacy:
Bismillah Khan received many awards, including:
Padma Shri
Padma Bhushan
Padma Vibhushan
Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award)
Even though he traveled all over the world, he always cherished his roots in India, especially his hometowns of Varanasi and Dumraon. He believed that music was the richest part of India’s tradition and encouraged young people to learn it.
Bismillah Khan’s life showed that music transcends all boundaries. As a devout Muslim, he played the shehnai every morning at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, showing the deep cultural unity of India.
Ustad Bismillah Khan passed away on August 21, 2006, and was given a state funeral, with the nation mourning the loss of one of its greatest musicians.
More details :
Shehnai’s Origin: The shehnai was created by a musician-barber who wanted to improve the pungi, a loud instrument. The shehnai became an important part of Indian traditions and ceremonies.
Bismillah Khan’s Journey: Ustad Bismillah Khan, born into a family of musicians, started playing the shehnai as a child. He practiced hard and eventually became one of India’s most famous musicians, known all over the world.
Historic Achievements: Bismillah Khan played the shehnai on India’s Independence Day and gave many memorable performances in India and abroad, making the instrument famous.
Inspiration: Bismillah Khan’s dedication to music and his love for India’s cultural heritage are an inspiration. He showed how hard work and passion can lead to great achievements, and he always stayed true to his roots.
Message: Ustad Bismillah Khan’s life teaches us the importance of hard work, love for one’s culture, and how music can unite people. His story is a beautiful example of how dedication to a craft can bring joy to millions.
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Summary of Wind
This poem, "Wind," speaks about how the wind, like a force of nature or challenges in life, can be destructive if we are not strong. However, it also teaches us that by building strength in ourselves, we can turn the wind (or challenges) into something positive and beneficial.
Summary for Students:
In the poem, the speaker asks the wind to come softly and not cause destruction. The wind knocks down papers, tears books, and brings rain, showing its power to break things. The poet describes how the wind crushes weak things, such as fragile houses and delicate objects. It can even affect people’s lives and hearts, especially if they are weak.
But then the poet shifts the message, telling us that instead of trying to control the wind, we should make ourselves stronger. We should build strong houses, strengthen our bodies, and make our hearts firm. When we are strong, the wind will be our friend. The poet concludes by saying that the wind makes weak fires go out, but it helps strong fires burn brighter. In the end, the wind is not something to fear, but something to respect and praise.
More Explanation:
Wind as a Metaphor: The wind in this poem symbolizes challenges and difficulties in life. Just like the wind, problems can shake us if we are weak.
Destruction and Weakness: The wind destroys fragile things—weak houses, delicate objects, and people who are not strong. This part of the poem shows that if we are unprepared or weak, challenges will break us down.
Strength and Resilience: The poet encourages us to build strong homes and strong bodies and hearts. When we are strong, challenges like the wind can’t harm us; instead, they will help us grow and become better.
Friendship with the Wind: When we strengthen ourselves, the wind becomes our friend. Just like it makes a strong fire burn brighter, challenges can help strong people succeed and flourish.
Message:
This poem teaches us that we should not fear challenges (symbolized by the wind). Instead, we should work on becoming stronger, both physically and mentally, so that we can face difficulties and grow from them. When we are strong, even difficult situations can help us shine.
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