The Sound of Music can be divided into two parts, each focusing on the lives of two notable musicians, Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan. The first part sheds light on Evelyn's journey and challenges in becoming a successful musician. Students will discover that she is a talented multi-percussionist, capable of flawlessly playing numerous instruments. This part narrates how she gained international recognition.
What makes Evelyn's story intriguing is that she is profoundly deaf. She learned to experience music not through her ears, but through her body. Instead of hearing music, she feels it. At the age of 11, she discovered her hearing difficulties, but this did not deter her from pursuing a career in music.
Her teacher, Ron Forbes, played a pivotal role in recognizing her talent and unlocking her potential, helping her achieve the seemingly impossible. Today, she is one of the most renowned figures in the music industry, with a long list of accolades and awards to her name. She serves as a great inspiration to the differently-abled community.
Moving on to part II, we delve into the life of Bismillah Khan and the origins of the shehnai, an instrument he popularized and brought onto the world stage. He shattered the notion that the shehnai was incapable of producing independent melodies. Hailing from a family of musicians, Bismillah Khan had a diverse upbringing. He honed his skills on the banks of the River Ganga, frequenting both the mosque and the temple.
His immense success led to the bestowment of various titles upon him, including the prestigious Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. He was also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Padmashree, and Padma Vibhushan, the three esteemed awards of India. Notably, he was the first person to be invited to play the shehnai at the Red Fort in 1947, while welcoming Independent India.
Bismillah Khan not only represented India on the international stage but also has an auditorium in Tehran named after him. Despite numerous opportunities, he remained rooted in his hometown, Varanasi. He dedicated his life to music and passed away in 2006.
