Part I: Evelyn Glennie

Before You Read: “God may have taken her hearing but he has given her back something extraordinary. What we hear, she feels — far more deeply than any of us. That is why she expresses music so beautifully.”

Read the inspiring story of Evelyn Glennie, a profoundly deaf musician who mastered the art of feeling sound through vibrations.

1. At seventeen, Evelyn went to the Royal Academy of Music in London, feeling the vibrations of the train. She was nervous but determined despite being profoundly deaf.
2. Her hearing loss, discovered at age eleven, led to fitting hearing aids and advice to attend a school for the deaf.
3. Determined to pursue music, Evelyn learned percussion by sensing vibrations through her body, guided by Ron Forbes.
4. By sixteen, she auditioned for the Royal Academy and achieved top marks, later performing solo and winning many awards.
5. Evelyn emphasizes hard work and determination as keys to success. She became a world-renowned multi-percussionist.
6. She learned to read faces and lips to communicate, and also learned languages like French and basic Japanese.
7. She experiences music physically — through her skin, cheekbones, hair, and bare feet — captivating audiences globally.
8. Awards include the Royal Philharmonic Society Soloist of the Year. She inspires deaf children worldwide.
9. Evelyn also gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals and teaches young musicians.
10. Her life demonstrates perseverance, determination, and the extraordinary human ability to overcome challenges.

Part II: Ustad Bismillah Khan

Bismillah Khan, a legendary shehnai player, brought the instrument to prominence on the classical stage. He hailed from a family of musicians in Bihar and was inspired from childhood to pursue music.

1. The shehnai evolved from the pungi and became an auspicious instrument for temples and weddings. Bismillah Khan made it globally famous.
2. He practiced from a young age, accompanying his uncle to temples and learning to master the instrument.
3. He performed at the Allahabad Music Conference at age 14 and later at All India Radio, gaining recognition.
4. He played the shehnai during India’s independence at the Red Fort, delighting the nation.
5. International recognition followed, including performances in the USA, Canada, Cannes, and Osaka.
6. Bismillah Khan received prestigious awards like Padmashri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna in 2001.
7. He remained deeply attached to Benaras and Dumraon, reflecting India’s rich musical heritage.
8. Even though he traveled worldwide, he emphasized the importance of teaching children Indian music and preserving cultural traditions.

Questions

1. How did Evelyn Glennie overcome her deafness to become a musician?
2. Describe the method Evelyn used to feel music.
3. What are some of Evelyn Glennie’s achievements?
4. Who was Bismillah Khan and what is he famous for?
5. How did Bismillah Khan contribute to the popularity of the shehnai?
6. What awards did Bismillah Khan receive during his lifetime?

Answers

1. Evelyn used vibrations and her sense of touch to feel music, and worked tirelessly to master percussion instruments.
2. She sensed music through her body — skin, cheekbones, hair, and bare feet — allowing her to “hear” through vibrations.
3. She became a world-renowned multi-percussionist, won the Royal Philharmonic Society Soloist of the Year Award, and inspired deaf children worldwide.
4. Bismillah Khan was a legendary shehnai player from Bihar, India, known for bringing the shehnai to the classical stage.
5. He performed nationally and internationally, popularizing the shehnai in concerts and films, and played during India’s independence at the Red Fort.
6. He received the Padmashri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna in 2001, among other national and international honors.