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You might have read those chapters that aren’t just about facts or famous people, but quietly shout out themes like grit, culture, and what it really means to follow your passion? The Sound of Music is totally one of those.
On the surface, it’s about a deaf girl who becomes a world-class musician and a man who turned a simple shehnai into a national symbol, but underneath, it’s about breaking barriers and staying true to your art.
In this blog, we’ve made your Class 9 The Sound of Music revision super easy, from the full class 9 english syllabus and summary to key themes and ideas, no heavy textbook tone, just clean explanations that actually make sense.
NCERT Class 9 The Sound of Music Notes in Simple Words
Let’s be honest, trying to decode a full chapter from scattered sites, boring language, and endless textbook lines is not fun. That’s why these The Sound of Music notes are built to make your prep smoother. Think of this as your all-in-one, no-fluff guide, only clear summary, important themes, central idea, and everything explained in simple words you can actually remember.
Notes & Study Material PDF
No overcomplicated terms. No textbook confusion. Just straight-up notes that help you revise faster and smarter, whether you’ve read the chapter or not. Let’s get into it.
The Sound of Music Class 9 Summary in Simple English
This chapter from the Class 9 English textbook is divided into two parts, each highlighting a real-life musician who overcame challenges to achieve greatness. Let's explore both parts with clarity and key points.
Part I: Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It
- Early Life and Hearing Loss
Evelyn Glennie began to lose her hearing at the age of 8 and was completely deaf by 11. However, she didn’t let this stop her love for music.
- Overcoming Challenges
Instead of giving up, Evelyn learned to sense music through vibrations. She could feel different sounds with different parts of her body like her feet, hands, and even her hair.
- Musical Journey and Achievements
She was accepted into the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she amazed everyone with her talent. Evelyn went on to perform in concerts all over the world and mastered over a thousand instruments.
- Inspiration to Others
Evelyn proved that physical limitations do not define a person’s ability. Her dedication, confidence, and passion for music made her an international symbol of determination.
Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
- Introduction to Music
Ustad Bismillah Khan was born in a musician’s family in Bihar. He was introduced to the shehnai by his uncle and began practicing it with devotion.
- Making Shehnai a Recognised Instrument
At a time when the shehnai was considered unsuitable for classical music, Bismillah Khan transformed its image. His performances brought the instrument to concert stages.
- Important Contributions
He played the shehnai on the occasion of India’s independence at the Red Fort. He also received national honors like the Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
- Love for His Country and Simplicity
Despite international fame, Bismillah Khan chose to live in India, close to the Ganga in Banaras. He refused offers to settle abroad because he was deeply connected to his roots and culture.
Character Analysis - The Sound of Music Class 9 Notes
If we know each character of the story better, we tend to understand the concept of the chapter even more clearly. So let us get an in-depth analysis of each character of the story.
1. Evelyn Glennie
- Determined and Strong-Willed: Evelyn’s journey shows her incredible determination. Even after losing her hearing at a young age, she didn’t give up. Instead of seeing it as a disability, she turned it into a strength by learning to sense music through vibrations.
- Hardworking and Dedicated: She practiced for hours, trained her body to ‘listen’ to music, and mastered over a thousand instruments. Her hard work earned her a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London, which was a rare achievement, especially for someone who was deaf.
- Confident and Courageous: Evelyn never let people’s doubts hold her back. She confidently performed in concerts across the world and proved that physical challenges cannot stop true talent.
- Inspiration to Others She is an icon for the differently-abled. Her life teaches that success is possible when you believe in yourself and work tirelessly towards your goal.
Quote to Remember: “Evelyn confesses that she feels music through every part of her body.”
2. Ustad Bismillah Khan
- Passionate About Music: Bismillah Khan devoted his entire life to the shehnai. He practiced from a young age and gave the instrument a place in classical Indian music. His love for music was pure and sincere.
- Patriotic and Rooted: Even after receiving international fame and being invited to settle abroad, he chose to stay in India. He believed that the Ganga and Banaras were an essential part of his music and soul.
- Simple and Humble: Despite his fame and awards like the Bharat Ratna, he lived a modest life. He didn’t chase money or luxury and remained connected to his roots.
- Cultural Icon: He played the shehnai on important national occasions, including India’s independence day in 1947. His contribution to Indian music made him a national treasure.
Quote to Remember: “Bismillah Khan’s life is a perfect example of how one’s passion and loyalty to one’s country and culture can bring greatness.”
Line by Line Explanation - Class 9 The Sound of Music Summary
Let us go through the each line of the NCERT textbook one line by line:
Part I: Evelyn Glennie Listens to Sound Without Hearing It
- From “Rush hour crowds jostle…” to “…she was profoundly deaf.”
The story begins at a busy London train station. A young girl named Evelyn Glennie is about to start at the Royal Academy of Music. She looks confident, but there's a twist, she’s deaf. Her hearing loss began gradually and became complete by the time she was 11.
Main Point: Evelyn’s journey starts with a challenge, entering the music world without the ability to hear.
- From “Her mother remembers noticing…” to “…sent to a specialist.”
Her mother first noticed the hearing loss when Evelyn didn’t respond to her name at age 8. Evelyn hid her problem for a while, but her school performance dropped, and the principal advised medical help. A specialist confirmed severe hearing damage due to nerve issues.
Main Point: Evelyn’s deafness was confirmed early, but it didn’t stop her from dreaming big.
- From “They were advised…” to “…she could sense certain notes.”
Though doctors advised her not to pursue music, percussionist Ron Forbes saw potential. He encouraged her to feel the music through vibrations in her body. Evelyn discovered she could feel sound through her feet, hair, and hands. This marked the beginning of her success.
Main Point: A mentor changed her life by showing her how to feel music rather than hear it.
- From “She never looked back…” to “…touring the world.”
Evelyn got into the Royal Academy, scored top marks, and started a successful international career. She mastered over 1000 instruments and played all over the world. She plays barefoot on wooden stages to sense vibrations better.
Main Point: Hard work and passion made her a globally respected musician despite her deafness.
- From “In our two-hour discussion…” to the end.
Evelyn is modest and uses her success to help others. She teaches music to underprivileged children and inspires disabled people. She believes that if you work hard and love what you do, nothing can stop you.
Main Point: Evelyn is not just talented, she’s also an inspiration to millions.
Part II: The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
- From “Emperor Aurangzeb banned…” to “…played in the temple of Balaji.”
It begins with the history of the shehnai — a traditional Indian wind instrument. It replaced the pungi (banned by Aurangzeb) and was used in temples and weddings. Young Bismillah Khan learned it from his uncle and practiced daily by the Ganga.
Main Point: Bismillah Khan’s love for music began early, deeply connected with tradition and nature.
- From “He used to sing…” to “…for the Bihar governor.”
As a boy, he used to sing at the local temple. His shehnai practice by the river helped him develop a unique sound. His big break came when he performed at the All India Radio, and then at India’s independence ceremony at Red Fort in 1947.
Main Point: His dedication led him from village performances to national fame.
- From “Bismillah Khan became…” to “…Bharat Ratna.”
He became India’s most famous shehnai player and received several awards, including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award).
Main Point: Bismillah Khan brought the shehnai into the spotlight and was nationally honoured.
- From “Despite this fame…” to “…without the Ganga.”
Despite fame and global travel, he remained simple and rooted. He refused offers to settle abroad because he felt that Banaras and the Ganga were part of his soul. He couldn't imagine his life or music without them.
Main Point: He chose love for his country and roots over money and luxury abroad.
- From “Students of music…” to the end.
Bismillah Khan became an inspiration to music students. His life showed how pure passion, devotion to art, and love for tradition can lead to greatness.
Main Point: A legend who stayed humble and loyal to his roots, he left behind a rich musical legacy.
Themes of The Sound of Music
Finally, let us go through the themes to understand the chapter even more better.
1. Power of Determination and Hard Work
Both Evelyn and Bismillah Khan show that consistent effort and a strong will can help achieve greatness, even in the face of adversity.
2. Overcoming Challenges
Evelyn breaks the barrier of deafness through her sense of touch and vibrations, while Bismillah Khan rises from humble beginnings to become a global symbol of Indian classical music.
3. Role of Passion and Dedication
Their deep love for music drives both individuals to pursue their goals relentlessly, making music not just a career, but a way of life.
4. Simplicity and Humility
Despite worldwide fame, both remain humble. Bismillah Khan, in particular, refuses to leave India, valuing culture over comfort.
5. Inspiration and Legacy
The lives of Evelyn and Bismillah Khan serve as a source of motivation, proving that true talent knows no boundaries whether physical, social, or cultural.
Central Idea
The Sound of Music is a chapter that tells the inspiring stories of two great musicians, Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan.
- Evelyn lost her hearing at a young age but did not let that stop her from following her dream of becoming a musician. She learned to feel music through vibrations and went on to perform all over the world.
- Ustad Bismillah Khan, on the other hand, dedicated his life to playing the shehnai, a traditional Indian instrument. He worked hard to bring it to the stage and made it respected in classical music. Despite fame, he stayed simple and true to his culture and country.
Both stories show that with hard work, passion, and dedication, we can overcome any problem. The chapter also shows how music connects people, breaks barriers, and can be a powerful way to express feelings and ideas.
Conclusion
That’s the full picture of The Sound of Music, a chapter that proves real talent isn’t about what you have, but what you make of it. Evelyn Glennie didn’t let her deafness stop her, and Bismillah Khan stayed true to his roots, even with global fame at his feet. Both turned their passion into something powerful and lasting.
This chapter isn’t just something to memorize. It’s a reminder that dedication, focus, and love for your art can take you places no shortcuts ever will. Keep these stories in mind, not just for exams, but for life.
FAQs
Q1. Why did Aurangzeb put a ban on pungi?
Ans. He thought it made that awful shrill noise and just couldn’t stand it - so he banned it.
Q2. What’s the real difference between a pungi and a shehnai - and why do we even care about Bismillah Khan?
Ans. A shehnai sounds way nicer than the noisy pungi - it’s got holes and is hollow. Bismillah Khan took it from weddings and temples straight into fancy stage concerts.
Q3. When did Bismillah Khan become a big deal?
Ans. His big break was in 1938 - when All India Radio started in Lucknow. One performance and boom - everybody knew him.
Q4. Why is his performance at the Red Fort on 15 Aug 1947 such a big deal?
Ans. Because he played shehnai on Independence Day from the Red Fort - first Indian to do it. Bye-bye colonial era, hello freedom.
Q5. Evelyn Glennie is deaf. So how the heck did she become a musician?
Ans. She didn’t hear with ears. She felt the music through her body - her fingers, feet, bones. That’s how she “heard” and rocked the music world.
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