Questions and Answers
Why did Emperor Aurangzeb ban the playing of pungi in the royal residence?
Because it had a shrill unpleasant sound
What was the main difference between the pungi and the shehnai?
The length and breadth of the pipe
Why is the sound of the shehnai considered auspicious?
Because it produces soft and melodious sounds
Where was Ustad Bismillah Khan playing as a five-year-old?
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What was Ustad Bismillah Khan's contribution to the shehnai?
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What was the occupation of the person who improved the tonal quality of the pungi?
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What was the original name of the instrument that was later modified to become the shehnai?
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In what type of occasions is the shehnai an indispensable component?
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In which type of ensemble was the shehnai originally a part of?
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Where was Ustad Bismillah Khan's humble beginning with the shehnai?
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Where did Bismillah Khan regularly go to sing the Bhojpuri 'Chaita'?
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Which award did Bismillah Khan eventually earn in India?
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What inspired Bismillah Khan to improvise and invent raagas for the shehnai?
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At what age did Bismillah Khan accompany his uncle to the Allahabad Music Conference?
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Who was the first Indian greeted by Bismillah Khan with his shehnai after India gained independence?
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At what age did Bismillah Khan first accompany his uncle to the Vishnu temple in Benaras?
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Which raag inspired by the flowing waters of the Ganga did Bismillah Khan improvise and invent for the shehnai?
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Where did Bismillah Khan first receive lessons in playing the shehnai?
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What was the award given by the local Maharaja to Bismillah Khan after singing the Bhojpuri ‘Chaita’?
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At which event did Bismillah Khan greet the nation with his shehnai after India gained independence?
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Study Notes
The Origin of Shehnai
- Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of pungi, a musical instrument, in the royal residence due to its unpleasant sound.
- A barber from a family of professional musicians improved the tonal quality of the pungi, creating a new instrument with a softer and more melodious sound.
- The new instrument was named 'shehnai' as it was first played in the Shah's chambers and by a nai (barber).
Ustad Bismillah Khan
- Born on 21 March 1916, Bismillah Khan belonged to a well-known family of musicians from Bihar.
- His grandfather, Rasool Bux Khan, was the shehnai nawaz of the Bhojpur king's court.
- Bismillah started taking music lessons at a young age and was fascinated by the shehnai.
Early Life and Training
- At the age of three, Bismillah watched his uncles practise the shehnai at his maternal uncle's house in Benaras (now Varanasi).
- He started accompanying his uncle, Ali Bux, to the Vishnu temple of Benaras, where Bux was employed to play the shehnai.
- Bismillah started receiving lessons in playing the shehnai and practised throughout the day.
Career and Achievements
- At the age of 14, Bismillah accompanied his uncle to the Allahabad Music Conference, where Ustad Faiyaz Khan encouraged him to work hard.
- With the opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938, Bismillah became a regular shehnai player on radio.
- On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan became the first Indian to greet the nation with his shehnai from the Red Fort.
- He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India.
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