The Sound of Music

• Introduction
  • Evelyn Glennie (Part I): Overcoming deafness to become a master percussionist
  • Bismillah Khan (Part II): The legendary shehnai maestro and cultural icon
• Part I: Evelyn Glennie - Listening to Sound Without Hearing It
  • Early Life & Discovery of Disability
    • Deafness noticed at age 8 (progress loss)
    • Completely deaf by age 12
    • Headmistress encouraged music; regular schools discouraged her
  • Turning Point
    • Percussionist Ron Forbes spotted her potential
    • Taught her to feel music through different parts of her body, not ears
    • Mind and body opened to sounds and vibrations
  • Achievements & Career
    • Mastered over 1000 instruments
    • Traveled the world for international orchestral engagements
    • Admitted to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, London
    • Won top-most awards; became a multi-percussionist
    • Honorary doctorate and global inspiration
  • Message to the World
    • Work hard and you will get where you want
    • Inspires millions of disabled and differently-abled individuals
• Part II: Bismillah Khan - The Shehnai of Ustad Bismillah Khan
  • Origins of the Shehnai
    • Aurangzeb banned the playing of a musical instrument called pungi in the royal residence due to its shrill, unpleasant sound
    • A barber of a royal household improved the pungi and played it inside the royal court; it was named shehnai (shah + naï / barber + king)
  • Early Life in Bihar and Varanasi
    • Born in 1916 into a family of musicians in Buxar, Bihar
    • Grandfather: Rasool Bux Khan; Father: Paigambar Bux
    • Uncle: Ali Bux (practiced shehnai in Vishnu temple, Varanasi)
    • Spent childhood practicing on the banks of the Ganga river; drew inspiration from flowing waters
  • Rise to Fame & Milestones
    • Got a big break with the opening of the All India Radio in Lucknow in 1938
    • Played shehnai on 15 August 1947 at India's independence; played 'Raag Kafi' from the Red Fort
    • First Indian to greet the independent nation with his shehnai
  • Global Recognition & Awards
    • Performed in USA, Canada, and various international art festivals
    • Auditorium in Tehran named after him (Tahart Mosiquee Ustad Bismillah Khan)
    • Deeply attached to India, especially Varanasi and Dumraon
    • Refused to settle abroad; loved Indian soil and the Ganga
    • Conferred with India's highest civilian award: the Bharat Ratna (2001)
  • Conclusion / Philosophy
    • Representation of rich cultural heritage of India
    • Secular icon: Muslim by birth, yet devoutly played in Hindu temples
    • Famous quote: "Teach your children music, this is Hindustan's richest tradition..."