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Chapter – 2 The Sound Of Music
Part II - The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
II Answer these questions in 30–40 words.
 5. Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why was the event historic?
6. Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.? 7. Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah Khan loves India and Banaras.

Dear Student,

5. On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan played the Raag Kaafi on his shehnai from the Red Fort. The event was historic because it was on the occasion of India's Independence from British Rule.

6. Bismillah Khan refused to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he he did not want to live away from India, specifically, from Benaras, the River Ganga and Dumraon.

7. Two instances which show that he loved India and Benaras are :-

(i) In his initial years, he used to practice in the temples of Benaras and on the banks of River Ganga.
(ii) Later, his love for India and Benaras made him turn down the offer to head a shehnai school in the U.S.A.

Regards

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Dear student,

5. On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan played the Raag Kaafi on his shehnai from the Red Fort. The event was historical because it was on the occasion of India's Independence from British Rule.
6. Bismillah Khan refused one of his student's request to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he would not live away from Hindustan, specifically, from Benaras, the River Ganga and Dumraon.

Regards!
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5) He played the Shehnai from the Red Fort on 15 August 1947. The even became historic as he was the first Indian to greet nation with his Shehnai. The then Prime ministerJawaharlal Nehru was one of his listener.

6) He refused to go start a school in the USA because he said that real Shehnai can be played on the land of the Holy Ganga. He said he will miss the Ganga if he opens a school in the USA.

7) Two instances which shows he loved India and Banaras are :-

(i) He said that whenever he is in a foreign country, he keep yearning to see Hindustan. While in Mumbai, he thought only of Benaras.

(ii) When he got the Bharat Ratna he said that All he wanted to say was to teach their children music, it was Hindustan's richest tradition; even the west is coming to learn our tradition.
 
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