The Sound Of Music - II

Question 1

Write a note on the origin of Shehnai

Answer 1

It is said that in the past, a musical instrument called Pungi used to be played in palaces before the kings and Nawabs. But Aurangzeb didn’t like the shrill and unpleasant sound of the Pungi, so he banned the playing of this musical instrument in the royal residence.

There was a barber who belonged to a family of musicians. He had access to the royal palace. He tried hard to improve the tonal quality of the instrument. He chose a pipe with a natural hollow stem that was longer and broader than the original Pungi. He carved seven holes on the body of the instrument. When he played it, an impressive, tonal, sonorous sound was produced. The barber played it before the king and his courtiers. Everybody was impressed.

The instrument was called Shehnai because it was born in the Shah’s chamber and was invented by a nai (barber).

There is another story about the origin of the Shehnai. It is said that a doctor from Iran invented it. His name was Hakim Buhal Sina, and the instrument was named after him.

Question 2

What are the recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music and how did they originate?

Answer 2

At the age of five, Bismillah Khan went to Benares (Varanasi), where his maternal uncle taught him the nuances of Shehnai. He used to practice in the temples of Balaji and Mangla Maiya. He also spent hours practicing on the banks of the river Ganga, often in complete solitude.

The flowing waters of the Ganga inspired him to improvise and experiment with his music. It was here that he created ragas which were earlier believed to be beyond the scope of the Shehnai. The peaceful atmosphere of the temples and the quiet solitude by the river had a deep and lasting impact on him.

These surroundings shaped the recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music. One major theme was the ethos of the temple, and the other was the bond between human beings, symbolized by the continuous flow and harmony of the river Ganga. These became the soul of his music, reflecting spirituality, peace, and unity.