Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 2 Notes – The Sound of Music | Nextoper

Introduction

Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 2 – The Sound of Music celebrates two extraordinary musicians who achieved greatness through dedication, passion, and talent. The chapter is divided into two parts — one about Evelyn Glennie, a hearing-impaired percussionist who listens to music through her body, and the other about Bismillah Khan, the legendary shehnai maestro of India.

Both stories reveal how music connects people beyond barriers. Evelyn’s determination teaches the power of will, while Bismillah Khan’s journey reflects India’s cultural depth and devotion to art. Together, they remind readers that music has no boundaries, no limitations — it speaks the universal language of the heart.

Part I – Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It

About Evelyn Glennie

Evelyn Glennie is one of the world’s most accomplished multi-percussionists. She learned to “hear” music not through her ears but through every part of her body. The story, written by Deborah Cowley, beautifully narrates how Evelyn’s courage, hard work, and love for music helped her overcome total deafness and rise to international fame.

Early Life and Challenges

• Evelyn Glennie was born in Scotland and began losing her hearing at the age of eight.

• By eleven, her hearing was severely impaired due to a gradual nerve damage.

• However, Evelyn refused to give up her dream of becoming a musician.

• She discovered that she could feel vibrations through different parts of her body — her skin, hair, and even her feet.

When doctors told her that she could never play music again, she felt discouraged. But her mother noticed that Evelyn’s mind was still full of rhythm. With her encouragement, Evelyn continued to learn music.

Turning Point – Meeting Ron Forbes

The real change came when Ron Forbes, the percussionist at her school, noticed Evelyn’s potential. He told her to feel music instead of hearing it.

“Don’t listen through your ears,” he said. “Try to sense it some other way.”

Evelyn discovered that she could feel certain notes from different parts of her body. For instance, the higher drum beats she felt from her waist up, and the deeper ones from the waist down. This realization completely transformed her approach to music.

Journey to Success

• Evelyn began to practice tirelessly, feeling vibrations through her fingers and feet.

• She removed her shoes and stood barefoot during performances to better sense the vibrations of the instruments.

• With great determination, she earned a place at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

• She was the topmost student in her batch and received the most prestigious awards of the Academy.

Later, Evelyn gave free concerts in hospitals and prisons, proving that music could heal and inspire anyone.

Achievements and Recognition

• Evelyn Glennie mastered over a thousand percussion instruments.

• She performed internationally and collaborated with major orchestras.

• Despite her deafness, she became a world symbol of determination and excellence.

• In 1991, she received the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Soloist of the Year Award.

Message from Evelyn’s Life

Evelyn says that she gets free performances because “music is not just about sound; it is about emotion and expression.” Her story conveys a powerful message — our limitations cannot define our destiny if we are willing to fight against them. She inspires millions, especially those with disabilities, to turn their challenges into opportunities.

Part II – The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

About Bismillah Khan

The second part of The Sound of Music is about Ustad Bismillah Khan, the maestro who took the Indian musical instrument shehnai to international stages. Written by Viṣnu Khare, this story honors the life of a man whose music became synonymous with Indian tradition and devotion.

History of the Shehnai

• The shehnai is believed to have been improved from the pungi, a traditional reed instrument.

• It is said that a barber, belonging to a family of musicians, invented the shehnai by improving its tone and design.

• The instrument came to be played in temples and royal courts, bringing auspiciousness to events.

• Over time, the shehnai replaced the pungi, which had been banned by Emperor Aurangzeb due to its shrill sound.

Bismillah Khan’s Early Life

Bismillah Khan was born in 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar into a family of traditional musicians. His grandfather was a shehnai player in the court of the Bhojpur king. His father, Paigamber Khan, played the shehnai in the court of Maharaja of Dumraon.

• From childhood, Bismillah was surrounded by music.

• He would watch his father play and soon developed a keen interest.

• He practiced for hours near the Ganga ghats of Benaras, where he believed his music blended with the flow of the river.

• The temple of Balaji and the Mangala Maiya were among his favorite practice spots.

Through years of dedication, he turned his instrument into a symbol of devotion and peace.

Career and Achievements

Bismillah Khan’s rise was gradual but steady. His dedication and humility earned him immense respect.

Key Milestones:

• Bismillah Khan gave his first major performance at the All India Radio, Lucknow, which made the shehnai a recognized classical instrument.

• He became the first Indian to greet the dawn of Independence by playing the shehnai on 15 August 1947 from the Red Fort in Delhi.

• His music echoed the soul of India — pure, spiritual, and deeply rooted in culture.

Later, he performed across the world, including Tehran, Montreal, Cannes, and Osaka, representing India at international festivals.

Awards and Honors

For his outstanding contribution to Indian classical music, Bismillah Khan received the nation’s highest honors:

• Padma Shri (1961)

• Padma Bhushan (1968)

• Padma Vibhushan (1980)

• Bharat Ratna (2001) – India’s highest civilian award

Despite global fame, he remained humble and deeply connected to his roots in Benaras. He once said,

“Whenever I am in a foreign country, I long for the smell of the Ganga and the temples of Benaras.”

Legacy and Values

Bismillah Khan’s life represents Indian unity in diversity. Though a devout Muslim, he offered music to Hindu temples and saw his art as a form of worship. His music brought people of different religions together.

His legacy teaches:

• Art is above caste, creed, and religion.

• Simplicity and devotion make greatness eternal.

• True artists remain rooted in their culture while inspiring the world.

Themes of “The Sound of Music”

• Triumph over disability and hardship.

• Dedication, hard work, and perseverance.

• Music as a bridge between people and cultures.

• Humility and spiritual devotion in art.

• The universality of music — it speaks beyond language.

Both Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan show that music is not only heard but also felt. While Evelyn hears through her body, Bismillah’s melodies reach the soul of India. Their lives remind students that determination and devotion can break all barriers.

Conclusion

The Sound of Music is not just a lesson about two musicians — it is a celebration of passion and perseverance. Evelyn Glennie proved that physical disability can never stop true talent. Bismillah Khan proved that art has no religion, and its real purpose is to spread peace and joy.

Both artists dedicated their lives to their craft, inspiring generations to pursue excellence. Through their music, they taught that discipline, humility, and love for one’s art are the true sounds of success.

In the end, Asimov’s message is simple yet timeless: music unites, heals, and elevates humanity.

About the Authors

• Deborah Cowley – Canadian writer and broadcaster who authored the first part on Evelyn Glennie.

• Viṣnu Khare – Indian poet and critic who wrote about Bismillah Khan in the second part.

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