The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan

What sparked Bismillah Khan's interest in music at a young age?

• Playing gilli danda near a pond

• Watching his uncles practice shehnai

• Earning a large laddu from the Maharaja

• Singing Bhojpuri Chaita at the temple

What was Bismillah Khan's first teacher on the shehnai?

• Ustad Faiyaz Khan

• His grandfather, Rasool Bux Khan

• His uncle, Ali Bux

• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

What instrument did Emperor Aurangzeb ban from the royal residence?

• Sitar

• Pungi

• Tabla

• Shehnai

What is the main difference between the pungi and the shehnai?

• The shehnai is played by barbers

• The shehnai has a longer and broader pipe

• The pungi has a more pleasant sound

• The shehnai had holes

Why was the new instrument called the shehnai?

• Because it sounded like a snake

• Because it was played in the Shah Jahan's chambers

• Because it was invented during the harvest

• Because it was played at weddings

How is the sound of the shehnai viewed today?

• Unpleasant and shril

• Auspicious and lucky

• Used to scare away animals

• Only played in royal courts

Where is the shehnai traditionally played today?

• In folk music concerts

• In temples and weddings

• In marching bands

• As a solo instrument

What was Bismillah Khan's profession as a child?

• Shehnai player

• Barber

• Singer at Bihariji Temple

• Professional Laddu maker

Where did young Bismillah Khan practice the shehnai?

• With his friends

• In secret places

• Near Himalayas

• By the banks of Ganga

What was the significance of Bismillah Khan's performance at the Allahabad Music Conference?

• It was his first public performance.

• He won a competition there.

• He received recognition from Ustad Faiyaz Khan.

• He got a 3 kg laddu as a prize.