compare and contrast shehnai of Bismillah …

• Bismillah Khan was a great Shehnai Player. He belonged to a family of professional musicians.
• He was attracted towards Shehnai at the age of three and with his hard work he brought it on to the classical stage.
• Pungi a musical instrument was banned by Emperor Aurangzeb for its shrill, unpleasant sound.
• A barber of a family of musicians decided to improve the tonal quality of pungi. He took a hollow pipe longer than pungi and made seven holes on it. When he played on it, sweet and soft sounds were produced. Since it was played in the Shah’s Chamber and was Played by a Nai (barber), it was named Shehnai.
• The sound of Shehnai is considered auspicious. The Shehnai was part of the Warble (a group of nine traditional musical instruments) found in the royal courts. It was played only in temples and weddings.
• listed Bismillah Khan invented many raagas and played them on Shehnai.
• Bismillah Khan was born on March 21, 1916, in a musician family of Rasool Bux Kh Father Paigamber Bin was also great Shehnai player.
• His maternal uncle Ali Bux gave him Shehnai lessons. He practised playing Shehnai’ at Balaji and Mangla Maiya Temple and on the bank of river Ganga.
• At the age of 14, he played Shehnai with his uncle at Allahabad Music Conference and I was appreciated by Ustad Faiyaz Khan.
• Bismillah Khan was the first Indian to greet the nation, with his Shehnai on 15th August 1947 in Raag Kafi.
• Film director Vijay Bhatt named a film `Gunj Uthi Shehnai’. Bismillah Khan composed a hit song “Dil Ka Khilona Hai Toot Gaya

Evelyn Glennie

Evelyn Glennie, the internationally renowned percussionist, emerges as an embodiment of unflinching determination, strong self-belief, dedication and courage. Although challenged by severe hearing impairment, this young girl is able to make her way to an enviable position in life. Evelyn was found to have lost her hearing faculty at a very young age of eight years but her strong determination enabled her to encounter the challenge very bravely. Instead of joining the school for the deaf, as suggested by the headmistress of her school, she decided firmly to lead the life as a normal girl. She wanted to play the xylophone but was discouraged by her teachers. However, her resolution was strengthened by the encouragement she got from the percussionist, Ron Forbes. Under his able guidance, Evelyn learnt how to develop sensitivity to musical sounds through different parts of her body. She managed to sense musical notes through her skin, her hair, her fingers, and even her bare feet. Endowed with great confidence, Evelyn was able to get admission to the Royal Academy of Music, London, the most prestigious institution for music. Her confidence and devotion enabled her to receive the highest awards in percussion music. Such is her contribution to the percussion music that it has earned a special place in the orchestra. Despite her deafness, Evelyn gives solo performances and has command over a large number of percussion instruments. A person with a humanitarian spirit, Evelyn even performs in prisons and hospitals. Thus, with her confidence and resolute decision, Evelyn has revealed to the world that disabilities disappear before dedication and determination. Her achievements are a source of inspiration for those who suffer from handicaps.