The Sound of Music — Class 9 English (Beehive)
Part I: "Music is my life. It is to do with sound, not hearing." — Evelyn Glennie
Part II: "Even if the world ends, the music will still survive." — Ustad Bismillah Khan
1. About the Chapter
Beehive Chapter 2 is unusual — it is two profiles in one chapter, both celebrating the power of music to transcend obstacles. The two parts complement each other:
- Part I: "Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It" — by Deborah Cowley. About a Scottish percussionist who is profoundly deaf yet became one of the world's greatest musicians.
- Part II: "The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan" — anonymous author. About India's legendary shehnai player who came from a humble background and became the first instrumentalist to receive the Bharat Ratna.
Common Themes
- Passion for music conquers all
- Hard work and perseverance
- Music as a universal language
- Inspiration from humble origins
- Determination to follow one's calling
PART I — Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound without Hearing It
2. About the Author of Part I — Deborah Cowley
- Deborah Cowley is a Canadian writer and editor
- Worked for Reader's Digest
- Profiled inspiring real-life personalities
- Her piece on Evelyn Glennie has been widely anthologised
3. About Evelyn Glennie
Quick Facts
- Full name: Dame Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie
- Born: 19 July 1965, Aberdeen, Scotland
- Nationality: Scottish / British
- Profession: Solo percussionist (world's first to make this a full-time profession)
- Hearing: Profoundly deaf since age 12
Major Honours
- OBE (1993)
- Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2007)
- Polar Music Prize (2015)
- Grammy Awards (twice)
- Honorary doctorates from many universities
Why She's Famous
- World's first full-time, solo percussionist
- Performs 120+ concerts a year globally
- Owns 2000+ percussion instruments
- Plays in bare feet so she can feel vibrations through the floor
- Composer, motivational speaker, and music educator
4. Summary of Part I
Early Life and the Onset of Deafness
Evelyn Glennie was born in 1965 on a farm in northeast Scotland. From an early age, she loved music — playing the piano by age 8 and later picking up the clarinet.
But her world began to change. At age 8, her hearing first showed signs of decline. By age 11, the deterioration was confirmed — she had lost most of her hearing due to nerve damage. Her parents and teachers thought her musical career was over.
She was sent to a school for the deaf and advised to lead a "quiet life". But Evelyn refused to give up.
Her Determination and Discovery
A school music teacher, Ron Forbes, noticed her talent and gave her a transformative insight:
"Don't listen with your ears. Try to sense it some other way."
He asked her to place her hands on the wall so she could feel the vibrations of a drum. This was the breakthrough moment of her life. Evelyn began "hearing" through her body.
The Royal Academy of Music
At age 17, Evelyn was accepted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London — one of the world's most competitive music schools. She scored some of the highest marks ever in the history of the academy.
She specialised in percussion — drums, marimbas, xylophones — instruments where vibrations are direct and powerful.
A Global Career
After graduating, Evelyn began performing solo. She became:
- A solo percussionist (the world's first full-time solo professional)
- Touring globally — Europe, USA, Asia, Australia
- Playing 120+ concerts a year
- Collaborating with major orchestras
How She "Hears" Music
Evelyn explained that she senses music through vibrations:
- Through her hands when she touches her instruments
- Through her bare feet when she stands on stage (she always performs barefoot)
- Through her whole body — she has said she feels music in her cheekbones, hair, even teeth
She does not consider her deafness a handicap — she considers it a different way of experiencing sound.
Her Philosophy
"Music is my life. It is to do with sound, not hearing."
Evelyn is a tireless advocate for:
- Deaf and hearing-impaired children in music
- Inclusive education
- The understanding that disability is not inability
Her Awards and Status
- OBE (1993), DBE (2007)
- Honorary doctorate from many universities
- An inspiration to millions worldwide
5. Lessons from Part I
- Disability is not inability — Evelyn shows that determination + creativity overcome obstacles.
- Listening is more than hearing — true music can be felt, sensed, lived.
- Mentors matter — Ron Forbes' single piece of advice changed her life.
- Hard work is non-negotiable — Evelyn practises long hours every day.
- Inclusion enriches the world — her success has opened doors for many.
PART II — The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
6. About Ustad Bismillah Khan
Quick Facts
- Full name: Ustad Bismillah Khan
- Born: 21 March 1916, Dumraon, Bhojpur district, Bihar
- Died: 21 August 2006, Varanasi (aged 90)
- Instrument: Shehnai (a wind instrument)
- Religion: Muslim — but deeply devoted to Hindu deities (Saraswati, Balaji)
- Title: 'Ustad' (master)
Major Honours
- Bharat Ratna (2001) — India's highest civilian honour
- Padma Shri (1961)
- Padma Bhushan (1968)
- Padma Vibhushan (1980)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1956)
- Tansen Award (Madhya Pradesh)
- First Indian to perform at Lincoln Center, New York
What Makes Him Special
- Single-handedly elevated the shehnai from a folk/ceremonial instrument to a classical concert instrument
- Performed at India's first Independence Day (15 August 1947) at Red Fort
- Performed on first Republic Day at Red Fort (26 January 1950)
- Played at the Red Fort for every Independence Day for several decades
- Recognised as a National Treasure of India
7. About the Shehnai
- A double-reed wind instrument
- Originally a folk instrument played at weddings and temple ceremonies
- Has a haunting, soulful sound — considered auspicious in Hindu tradition
- Before Bismillah Khan, it was not considered a "classical" instrument
- Khan brought it to the concert stage and classical music traditions
Origin of the Word
- Possibly from Persian shah (king) + nai (flute) = "the king's flute"
- Or from Hindi sheh (breath) + nai (flute)
8. Summary of Part II
Family Background
Bismillah Khan was born in 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar, into a family of court musicians. His grandfather, Rasool Bakhsh Khan, was a shehnai player in the court of the Maharaja of Dumraon. The family migrated to Varanasi (Banaras) when Bismillah was a child, and Varanasi remained his home for the rest of his life.
He was the second son of Paigambar Bakhsh and Mitthan. He was originally named Qamaruddin — but his grandfather Rasool Bakhsh Khan, on seeing him for the first time as a baby, exclaimed "Bismillah!" (meaning "In the name of Allah"). The nickname stuck.
Childhood and Early Training
Bismillah was trained by his uncle Ali Bux 'Vilayatu' Khan, the official shehnai player at the Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. Young Bismillah accompanied his uncle, learning by watching and listening.
He spent many hours practising on the banks of the Ganga — the river was his classroom. The atmospheric beauty of Varanasi — temples, ghats, the river — shaped his music.
Devotion to Music
Even though he was a Muslim, Bismillah Khan was a devoted bhakta of Saraswati (Hindu goddess of learning and music) and a regular shehnai-player at the Vishwanath Temple. This was a profound example of India's syncretic, composite culture.
He used to say:
"Even if the world ends, the music will still survive."
His Breakthrough — 1937 Calcutta Music Conference
In 1937, Bismillah Khan was invited to perform at the All-India Music Conference in Calcutta. He stunned the audience and the critics. From then on, the shehnai began to be recognised as a classical concert instrument.
1938 — All India Radio Lucknow
In 1938, All India Radio (AIR) opened its Lucknow station, and Bismillah Khan became one of its most frequent performers. His shehnai notes became known across the country.
Independence Day, 1947
On 15 August 1947, India's first Independence Day, Bismillah Khan was given the honour of playing the shehnai at the Red Fort, Delhi as the tricolour was unfurled. He played Raga Kafi that day — a moment of immense national pride.
This was repeated for many years afterwards.
Films and Wider Fame
He composed and played for several films:
- 'Goonj Uthi Shehnai' (1959) — a film centred on the shehnai
- 'Sanadi Appanna' (Kannada film)
But Khan preferred concert performances to film studios.
International Recognition
He toured:
- USA — performed at the Lincoln Center, New York
- Canada, Europe, USSR, Bangladesh, Afghanistan
- He was the first Indian musician to perform at the World Exposition in Montreal
His Love for Varanasi
Despite numerous offers to settle in the USA (where his fans pleaded that Varanasi would be recreated for him), Bismillah Khan refused:
"But where will I find the Ganga there?"
He loved Varanasi — its temples, its ghats, its river, its composite culture.
Bharat Ratna — 2001
In 2001, the Government of India awarded him the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour. He was the first instrumentalist to receive this honour. Before him, only vocalists (M. S. Subbulakshmi) had received it.
Final Years and Death
In his later years, he lived a simple life in Varanasi. He continued teaching young musicians. He died on 21 August 2006 at the age of 90. The Government of India declared a day of national mourning. He was buried with full state honours in a Fatemain cemetery in Varanasi, with his shehnai beside him.
9. Lessons from Part II
- One can rise from humble beginnings — from a village in Bihar to a national treasure.
- Devotion to one's craft — Khan practised every day, even in his 80s.
- Music transcends religion — a Muslim shehnai player at a Hindu temple.
- Love your roots — Khan refused to settle abroad; he loved Varanasi.
- Culture must be preserved — Khan elevated the shehnai from folk to classical.
10. Comparing the Two Parts
| Feature | Part I — Evelyn Glennie | Part II — Bismillah Khan |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Scottish | Indian |
| Born | 1965 | 1916 |
| Instrument | Percussion (drums, marimba) | Shehnai (wind instrument) |
| Challenge | Profound deafness from age 12 | Humble background; elevating shehnai to classical |
| Mentor | Ron Forbes (school music teacher) | Uncle Ali Bux 'Vilayatu' Khan |
| Key Insight | "Don't listen with your ears, sense it some other way" | "Even if the world ends, the music will survive" |
| Major Honour | Dame Commander (DBE), Polar Music Prize | Bharat Ratna (2001) |
| Common Thread | Music as the ultimate calling; obstacles overcome |
Both lives celebrate:
- Passion overcomes obstacles
- Mentorship is crucial
- Music is a universal language
- Hard work + talent = greatness
11. Themes (Both Parts Combined)
- The power of music
- Determination over disability/disadvantage
- Mentor-student relationships
- Cultural pride and humility
- Music as a transcendent force
- The dignity of the artist
12. Literary Features
Genre
- Biographical sketches / Profile articles
- Magazine-style writing (Reader's Digest tradition)
Structure
- Part I: Narrative + quotes from Evelyn
- Part II: Historical narrative + key milestones
Style
- Simple, accessible English
- Real quotations from the subjects
- Inspirational tone
- Chronological structure
Notable Literary Features
- Quotations — bring the subject to life
- Anecdotes — Ron Forbes' wall advice; Bismillah Khan's "Ganga" line
- Specific details — concrete dates, places, instruments
13. Famous Lines to Remember
From Part I:
"Don't listen with your ears. Try to sense it some other way." — Ron Forbes
"Music is my life. It is to do with sound, not hearing." — Evelyn Glennie
From Part II:
"Even if the world ends, the music will still survive." — Bismillah Khan
"But where will I find the Ganga there?" — Bismillah Khan (refusing to leave Varanasi)
14. Contemporary Relevance
Evelyn Glennie
- Still performing actively in 2026
- Continues to advocate for deaf children in music
- Honorary doctorates from many universities
Bismillah Khan's Legacy
- His recordings remain India's musical treasures
- The shehnai is now a permanent part of Indian classical music
- His life is celebrated in films and documentaries
- His birthplace Dumraon, Bihar, has a memorial in his honour
What India Today Can Learn
- Preserve folk arts → elevate to global recognition
- Patronage of traditional musicians
- Inclusive culture: Muslim + Hindu unity in art
- Pride in roots
15. Conclusion
'The Sound of Music' is one of the most inspiring chapters in the Beehive textbook. Through two extraordinary lives — one Scottish, one Indian; one deaf, one underprivileged; one from a remote farm, one from a small Bihar village — we learn that music is greater than any obstacle. Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan both teach us that passion + perseverance + a great mentor can turn impossible odds into world-changing achievements.
For Class 9 students, this chapter is not just about music — it is about what it takes to be great at anything. The lessons apply to sports, science, art, business, and life itself.
