MGK’s English Classes

Unit III
Std. : 10th Sub. : English

Night of the Scorpion

Nissim Ezekiel (1924-2004)

Brainstorm what you know about Scorpions. Use the points given below.

How they attack

Use their pincers to capture and crush the
prey. They use their stingers to inject venom
as a result the prey becomes paralyzed and it
becomes easier for the Scorpions.

Where they live There appearance

In deserts, Semi-arid regions They have eight legs, look like
Many hide under logs, rocks, small lobsters, a pair of
boards. Some rest on vertical
Scorpion pincers, thin tail that curves
surface like trees, bushes, over there back.
walls.

Any more information about them

Predators – Rodents, birds, lizards. Some are
very dangerous to humans some Scorpion
sting cannot be that dangerous.
After reading the poem, complete the following. What happens? There are three
main parts of the poem. Do you know what they are about? The first one is done for
you.
Lines What is happening
1-7 The scorpion comes into the home to escape the rain and stings the
poet’s mother.
8-33 The neighbours come and sit around the mother to console, pacify
her, praying to God to nullify the poison.
34-48 Desperate father who is also logical, pours paraffin on the sting with
a heavy heart sets fire and holy man performs the rites. After twenty
hours, she revives and thanks God for picking her and not kids for
the sting.

Complete the following tables.

(A)
Background/setting of the poem
Type Evidence
(Quote lines from the poem)
Rural The peasants came like swarms of flies.
And buzzed the name of God a hundred times
to paralyse the Evil One.
With candles and with lanterns
throwing giant scorpion shadows
on the mud-baked walls
With every movement that the scorpion made his
poison moved in Mother’s blood, they said.
On the floor with my mother in the centre,

More candles, more lanterns, more neighbours,

more insects, and the endless rain.
I watched the holy man perform his rites to tame the
poison with an incantation.

(B)
Scorpion
Many images of the scorpion contrast in the opening lines of the poem. Find
examples of each and add them to the columns below.
Timid Dangerous
(1) hides beneath a rice sack (1) Diabolic tail
(2) Afraid of the crowds he goes (2) The evil one with his every movement
back. the poison moved in mother’s blood.
(C)
Imagery
Look at the description of the village peasants.
What does the imagery suggest about them?
The Images What images suggest
They came like swarms of flies Nearly whole of the village a huge crowd
came to the house that appears
They buzzed the name of God. Kept on chanting the name of God, like
buzzing of bees.
They threw giant scorpion shadows on the The shadows of lanterns appeared like
mud-baked walls. giant scorpions on the mud walls.
They clicked their tongues. They made clicking sound with their
tongues expressing sorrow.

From the poem provide evidence for the following :

Stages Evidence (line from the poem)
(a) the attempts by the peasants to help and buzzed the name of God a hundred
alleviate the mother’s pain times
more candles, more lanterns, more
neighbours .
(b) the action of these same peasants to With candles and with lanterns
kill the scorpion throwing giant scorpion shadows
on the mud-baked walls
they searched for the him
(c) the reaction of the rational father. My father, sceptic, rationalist,
trying every curse and blessing,
powder, mixture, herb and hybrid.
He even poured a little paraffin
Upon the bitten toe and put a match to it.
(d) the various superstitions versus the Trying every curse and blessing powder
‘scientific’ mixture, herb and hybrid.
He even poured a little paraffin
Upon the bitten toe and put a match to it.
I watched the holy man perform His rites
to tame the
poison with an incantation.
(e) evil versus good and buzzed the name of God a hundred
times
May the sum of all evil
balanced in this unreal world
against the sum of good
become diminished by your pain
Read the poem and complete the table showing the qualities of the father and
another giving sufficient evidence from the poem.
Qualities
Father Mother
Positive, rationalist, loving, sceptic, risk Brave, tolerant, courageous, selfless
taker,experimental, desperate, Loved her family, children immensely.
responsible, practical, logical.
Loved his wife immensely

(A) Match the Figures of Speech with the correct definition.

Poetic Devices
Figure Definition
(1) Metaphor (a) The use of the same sound at the
beginning of words.
(2)Alliteration (b) As implied comparison.
(3) Onomatopoeia (c) A comparison between two different
things, especially a phrase, containing
the words ‘like’ or ‘as’
(4) Simile (d) A word which resembles the sound it
represents.

(B) Find examples from the poem that contain :

Similie : The peasants came like swarms of flies
Metaphor : To paralyse the Evil one.
Onomatopoeia : They clicked their tongues.

Expand the flow-chart in writing a paragraph in your own words.

Mother

Agony

Fights the venom (of scorpion)

Unable to utter but groan

Thanked God

Survived
 Mother was the unfortunate soul who was stung by the scorpion who had taken
shelter in the house to escape rain. When huge crowds came to console the family, the
scorpion disappeared into the rain again. The people gathered around the mother who was
twisting and groaning on a mat unable to contain her pain. Her agony disturbed the father
so much that he made a quick decision and pour some paraffin on the sting and put a
match to it. He gave many things such as powder, mixture, herb, and hybrid. People who
had swarmed round her were saying that the poison would decrease the misfortunes of
her next birth. She was writhing with pain, she was unable to utter so she was groaning.
Finally the blessings, holy man’s rites and the paraffin worked wonders and the poison
was tamed. She thanked God for sparing her children. She had no complaints for what
happened to her but was happy to see that her children were saved.

The poet has used various of imagery to create an image which append in our sense.
Pick out various kinds of imagery and complete the table.

Visual imagery Tactile imagery Sound imagery Internal sensations,

appealing to eyes (sense of touch) feelings and
emotions
(1) Scorpion (1) I watched the (1) buzzed the (1) fear
crawling beneath a flame feeding on name of God
sack of rice my mother.
(2) giant scorpion (2) Father pouring (2) They (2)Pain,hope.
images on the paraffin on the toes clicked their
mind wall. tongue

Write an appreciation of the poem in a paragraph format. (Refer to pg. no. 5)

Night of the Scorpion
The title of the ‘Night of the Scorpion’ explains what happened one dark, rainy
night. It was the night of the Scorpion since it parted with his poison, stung poet’s mother
and left her to experience tortures of hell on the earth.

The poet of the poem is ‘Nissim Ezekiel’, an Indian Jewish poet, editor and an art
critic, a significant figure in the post colonial literature history in India. The poem is
composed in free verse. The poet has used beautiful imagery and the rural backdrop is
appropriately depicted. The figure of speech that stands out is onomatopoeia.

Onomatopoeia – They clicked their tongues

(Clicking expresses sound)

Simile – The peasants came like swarms of flies.

 (Direct comparison between the peasants and flies)

It was definitely a night of the scorpion but the mother turned out to be a real hero.
She suffered endless pain, was full of agony and anguish but she survived as if only for
her children and her loving husband. Really mothers are the replicas of God. They are
selfless and they always act as a protective shield for their children. The mother in the
poem suffered endless pain but she thanked God for sparing her children and choosing
her for the sting. She showers unconditional love, she herself endures the scorching heat
and provides ample cool shade to her children. Instead of being only spiritual and
superstitious, we should have faith in modern science and it’s miracles.

The night I met Einstein

Que : As far as listening is concerned, what difference do you notice between the
writer and Einstein ?
Ans:
Writer Einstein
- Didn’t understand classical music, - Had an ear for music,
he liked songs with words, music - Loved Classical music
where he could follow tune, he - Connoisseur
always felt he was tone-deaf

(A) Give two points of difference between :

Instrumental Music Vocal Music
There are no words involved Words involved
Specific instrument is used Vocal cords of the singer
Final sound is produced by the instrument Final sound is produced by the mouth

(B)
Light Music Classical Music Folk Music
1) Not so traditional 1) Very traditional 1) Vast due to cultural
diversity
2) Focuses on using fewer 2) Focuses mainly on the 2) Played or sung by
notes to make a complete notes and different ordinary people.
tune. variation of the notes.
3) It is short and sweet. 3) Patience is required. 3) Type of traditional.
4) It is for ears, for general 4) It is for peace. 4) General entertainment.
entertainment
‘Music is the medicine of the mind’. Narrate an experience that leads to the above
conclusion. Write it in your own words, in your notebook.
‘Music is the medicine of the mind’
Music is the best healer, best stress buster it can curb, it can cure, it attains
celestial height if at all its dedicated to God it can take us to the untrodden paths. We all
have heard about the heavenly music of Tansen. How it was magical, miraculous ! now a
days during operations many doctors listen to light music that’s what I have heard. When
we feel low the music, songs accompany us. We follow the words and we forget our
agony. There are music therapies for animals. Music can take you in the past, can make
you enjoy your present. Light music in backdrop can enlighten your spirit. Nowadays it is
used as an effective medicine. It definitely crosses all the boundaries, barriers to reach out
to our soul. (Now you can narrate your personal experience)

Imagine you are the monitor of the class. You are asked to conduct an interview of
famous scientist who is in you city / village. Frame 8 to 10 interview question with
the help of the following points. (Interview of Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar)

Following is an interview of Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, true pride of India.

Interviewer : Sir, Most humbly I welcome you, I can’t tell you how happy I am,
Sharing this stage with you.
1) Sir, could you tell us something about your early life and education?
2) What developed your interest in this particular field? Who was your inspiration?
3) Was your early life, family background favourable for the decision that you took?
4) Did anything specific happen which motivated you to become a scientist? Would
you like to share it with us?
5) Who played the role of your Guru or mentor? I mean to say who guided you
throughout the process?
6) Sir, could you tell us in detail about the awards and the great honours you received
in India or even abroad?
7) Sir, we all know you also are the fellow of Royal Society and more than 37
honorary doctorates to your credit, could you throw some light on the entire
journey?
8) I think I am not in a position to ask this question but we would like to know about
what you aspire to do now?
 9) Sir, we all are eagerly waiting for the piece of advice that I am sure you will give
us. What do you think we should change and imbibe for our better futures? Rather
future of our country?
Sir, thank you very much for sparing your precious time and for gracing the
occasion.

3.3. Stephen Hawking

Get into pairs and match the prominent personalities with the disabilities they had :
‘A’ ‘B’
1) John Milton The great English poet who became blind at the
age of 43 years.
2) Beethoven The great German composer and musician who
became deaf at the age of 28 years.
3) Stephen Hawking Famous scientist of the 20th century who is
paralyzed.
4) Walt Disney An American entrepreneur , animator, voice actor,
had learning disability.
5) Albert Einstein Great 20th Century scientist and noted physicist
had learning disability.
6) Thomas Edison Great inventor who has over 1000 patents had
learning disability and became deaf.
7) Hellen Keller Was blind and deaf.
8) Sudha Chandran Dancer whose leg had to be amputated because of
an accident.
9) Tanay Grey-Thompson Is a wheelchair racer.
10) Franklin Roosewelt Had polio and was elected as the President of the
United States for four terms.
Observe the time line and search the occurrences according to it. Prepare a
chart.
January 8, 1942 was born

1969 forced to use wheel chair

1970 Family had taken help of one of his graduate students to help
manage his care and work .

1988 the brief history of time.

2001 2005 2009 2010 2014

2001 2005
Hawking followed up his book Authored ‘A Briefer History of
with The Universe in a Nutshell Time’
which offered more illustrated
guide to cosmology’s big theories.

2009 2010
He failed to appear at a conference Hawking spoke against the idea
in Arizona because of a Chest that God could have created the
infection. universe in his book ‘The Grand
Designs’.

2014
At 21 while studying cosmology at
Cambridge he was diagnosed with
Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis that
part of his life is depicted in the
movie, ‘The theory of everything’.

1) 1963 – He took his Predicament seriously during his first year at Cambridge.
2) 1969 – Physical Control diminished had to use a wheelchair.
3) Mid 1970’s – family had to take help of a graduate student to help manage his
care and work.
4) 1985 – He lost his voice.
5) 1988 – A brief History of Time. (difficult to digest)
6) 2001 – The Universe in a Nutshell. (More illustrated guide to Cosmology)
7) 2005 – A briefer history of time. (Easy to digest, simplified his basic ideas)
 8) 2009 – Failed to appear at a conference in Arizona due to chest infection.
9) 2010 – Spoke against the idea that God could have created the universe in his
book ‘The Grand design’.
2014 – Movie based on his life ‘The theory of everything’ (Major part of his
predicament is depicted).

Make the list of books written by Stephen Hawking.

Name of the book What’s in it?
(topics covered)
1) A brief history of time offered an overview of
space and time, the
existence of God and the
future.
2) The Universe in a guide to Cosmology’s big
Nutshell theories.
3) A briefer history of Simplified the original
time work’s core concepts and
touched upon the newest
developments in the fields
like string theory.
4) The grand design Spoke against the belief
that God could have
created the universe.
His contribution to the
world
became an account of
Cosmology for the masses
Clarified the concepts for
the masses
Easier for the masses to
digest his original work
due to it’s simple
presentation
Opened the eyes of the
people by stating such
beliefs should be
compatible with modern
scientific theories.

Make a list of Hawking’s physical inabilities after 1963.

a) Nerves controlling muscles were shutting down.
b) Diagnosed with early stages of ALS.
c) Physical control over his body diminished.
d) Became completely dependent
e) 1985 lost his speech
2009 chest infection

Explain how the life of Stephen Hawking proves the proverb ‘Every cloud has a
silver lining’. Write it down in your notebook.
Every dark cloud has a silver lining
It figuratively means that we should never lose hopes , never be pessimistic rather
we should always be optimistic as odd phases always lead to good days. Dark clouds at
times cover the sun but the sun continues to shine and spread its light.
They say that prosperity is a great teacher, adversity a greater. Tough times make
you strong to fight the battle of life, to accept challenges when you encounter death you
set your priorities accordingly. In case of Hawking it happened the same. When he was at
Oxford he started showing the symptoms of ALS but paid no attention, kept it a secret
but at 21 when at Cambridge he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Earlier he would trip and fall or slur his speech .The nerves that controlled his muscles
started shutting down. He was hospitalised by his father and was given two and a half
years to live. He underwent a series of tests. He was told that that his condition was
atypical. Then he started slurring a lot in 1985 he lost his speech. In 1969 he was forced
to use a wheelchair. He didn’t give up. His family, his friends, his students became his
pillar of strength. A California computer programmer who had developed a speaking
programme that could be directed by head or eye movement added value to his life.
Despite his predicament he continued to write at a prolific rate with his assistants. He has
many scientific papers to his credit. He is known for his great contribution in theories of
cosmology .After he was diagnosed with ALS his life became more interesting for him,
he started using every minute of it to achieve what he wanted in life. He put himself
completely in his work and research. Today he is one of the celebrated scientists in the
world.
Despite his debility he has written books, several scientific papers and most
importantly he was the Lucasian professor of mathematics at Cambridge. It would not
have been possible without his support system and most importantly his strong
determination. God took away his physical strength but gave him moral strength that
helped him throughout.

3.4. The Will to Win

Berton Braley

If you have a strong desire or a craving for a particular thing (a set goal) then you
have to work, struggle for it. You may have to go out of the way by working day and
night. If you want it to happen badly. In order to gain something, we have to lose
something. At times the most precious things. If you set your heart on something then
you have to sacrifice your time, peace and your sleep (rest) for it. (The things that provide
pleasure, happiness).
If you concentrate all your hopes, your plans around the goal (in the sense you
submit yourself in front of the goal) and still if you find that life is useless and worthless
without achieving the goal as we all know dreaming is not achieving. You might have to
work hard that too happily, willingly in order to make it happen. Worry about it and plan
for it. In the process you become confident, gain self faith and you lose all the fear that
the external distracting, dissuading forces create (you become tough, strong to face the
challenges only if you have strong determination).
If you simply chase your dream, your goal using all your capacity (willingness to
work hard), strength (power) and wisdom, if you invest your best assets like faith, hope,
confidence and your strong determination then nothing is impossible. Then you will
succeed in all your endeavours and you will surely achieve the set goal.
 You will become victorious if the external forces such as extreme poverty,
consequently hunger and ill health due to hunger and sickness or pain of body (physical)
and brain (mental, spiritual) will fail to dissuade you from the goal that you have set for
yourself.
If you are determined , earnest, serious, dedicated to the goal then without getting
influenced by the external forces, you will work and make it happen with the help of
God.

How can we achieve success in life? Complete the boxes by filling the essential
qualities required for achieving success.

Self-faith Courage
Never-say-die attitude Confidence
Goal oriented attitude Focused, attitude
patience, tolerance Hard-work
Requirement for
SUCCESS

Optimistic attitude Dedication

determination

Work in group and prepare and present a speech on ‘How to Achieve Success’.
(You may take help of the poem)
With respect to all the dignitaries on the dais, all my teachers and my dear
friends. Today I am feeling very fortunate for I have been given an opportunity to
express my views about how to achieve success? Frankly speaking different people
have different opinions about achieving success for some success means making
money, for some success means higher education, for some social standing, for
some developing good relations. But what I feel is money can only buy luxuries and
not satisfaction. So earn as per your requirements. Take adequate education, try to
find a place in the infrastructure of the society and most importantly develop and
maintain good relations. Believe me path that leads to success is not that easy, it is
full of hurdles, obstacles. It tests your inner strength. There are many dissuading,
distracting factors which test your patience, they weaken your soul. Take away your
positivity. In such situation you have to be firm, confident, optimistic. You have to
put in your 100%, you have to use your capabilities, strength, wisdom, confidence to
the hilt. You are expected to be strong both physically and mentally to face trials
and tribulations that come your way. There is no option to hard work. It should be
toiling and rejoicing. Trust me life without any goal is useless, worthless. Set a goal,
chase your dreams, educate yourself sufficiently, enhance your skills, have faith in
your abilities, plan everything properly, take right decision, make correct choices,
never give up, keep stress miles away. Focus all your positive energies on the path
of success which may appear blur but once you start walking, facing challenges at
the end you get the award i.e. success. Remember only you can change yourself and
 no one can do it for you. Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. God has
created this beautiful world. He is the one who designs everything for his creations.
He is our saviour in all the situations. We can achieve anything that we have set our
hearts on with perseverance and our father i.e. Almighty. This is my idea of
achieving success. Thank you very much for patient hearing.

Read the poem again and write the appreciation of the poem ‘The will to Win’ in a
paragraph format. (Refer to page no . 5)
The Will to Win
The title of the poem ‘The Will to Win’ is symbolic and self explanatory. It
figuratively means the desire to succeed.

This highly inspirational poem is written by Berton Braley. He was always

optimistic and always believed that everything is possible.

There is no specific rhyme scheme but most of the lines have ended with the word
‘it’. Repetition is impactfully used by the poet. Other conspicuous figures of speech are
as follows :

Alliteration – Of body and brain (Letter ‘b’ is repeated)

Repetition – or sickness or pain (word ‘or’ is repeated)

This is indeed an inspirational poem having motivating encouraging words. The

poet has emphasised the fact that we have to set a goal and we have to set ourselves in the
pursuit of the goal. The poem teaches us to have a strong will to win, come what may
fighting odds, adversities of life. The poet has conveyed a very significant message, if
you want something frantically, desperately then you have to sacrifice all the things they
give you rest and pleasure as toiling day and night is the prerequisite for achieving
success. Use all your abilities, wisdom, faith, confidence, determination to make it
happen as life is useless, worthless without any aim, goal in life. Fight all the dissuading
factors that come your way. God will always be the saviour. Really optimism is the faith
that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

‘Success comes to those who dare and act.’

1. Please Note :
1) Dreaming is not achieving.
2) Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.
3) Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without
hope and confidence.
Rising sun brings new strength and new thoughts.
 3.5. Unbeatable Super Man – Mary Kom

1. Fill in the fact file of Mary Kom.

a) Full Name : Mary Mangte Kom
b) Native of rural: Kangthei village, Moirang Lankhai in Churachandpur district
of rural Manipur in Eastern India.
c) Early life and interest : She comes from a poor family, her parents were tenant
farmers. Kom grew up in humble surroundings and helped her parents in farm
related chores went to school and initially learnt athletics and later boxing
simultaneously.
d) Special sport taken up : Initially learned athletics later on boxing.
e) Inspired by : Dingko Singh a fellow Manipuri returned from the 1998 Bangkok
Asian Games with a gold medal who inspired many youngsters to take up boxing
including Mary Kom.
f) Coach : Charles Atkinson (who was not allowed to accompany her to the
Olympics)
g) Early achievements : Women’s boxing championship in Manipur state and
regional championship in west Bengal.
h) International achievements : At 18th debut at the first AIBA Women’s world
Boxing Championship (won Silver in 48 kg weight category). First Indian boxer
for having qualified and won bronze in 2012 Olympics. Five times World
Amteur Boxing Championship only boxer to have won a medal in each one of
the six World Championships.
i) Her passion : Boxing and her family, her kids.
j) Future plans : She would like to train. Indian Women in boxing and bringing up
her children well.

2. Glance through the text and find the special qualities of Mary Kom. Complete
the web by putting different qualities of Mary Kom in the boxes.
Humble

True sportsman Confident

spirit, fair
Qualities of Mary Kom

Accepts her determined

faults
Strategic,
Analytical
3. Write a short paragraph describing the life and work of Mary Kom. Take help
of the points given below. You can take help of the fact file that you have
prepared earlier (Activity 5)
(a) Early life (b) Training
(c) Achievements (d) Future Plans

The life and work of Mary Kom

Mary Kom was born in a small village in Manipur and she belonged to ‘Kom tribe’.
She was born in a humble hutment. Her parents Mangte Tonpa Kom and Mangte Arkham
Kom were tenant farmers who worked in Jhum fields. She grew up in humble
surroundings. She would help her parents in farm chores.
First she trained herself for national competitions and as she won them she faced
the international platform at the age of 18. She gained confidence. Her coach Charles
Atkinson gave her substantial coaching and he was the one who prepared her for
Olympics. She trained herself rigorously in Pune practicing with her male counterparts.
Healthy diet plays a very important role in her life.
Success comes to those who dare and act. At first she won state and regional
championships. At 18 she entered the world stage. She is five times boxing champion
only female boxer in 2012 olympics. By winning laurels she proved to the world that
women are equally powerful what men can do women can do better.
She wants more and more gold medals for her country. She wants a change in the
mind set of the Indian people. She wants to inspire the aspirants. If she gets a chance, she
wants to train the female boxers. While doing everything she hasn’t forgotten about the
significant role she is expected to play of a mother. Really she deserves the title
‘Magnificent Mary’.

Competitive spirit

Make strong Tolerance

Sports
Friendship Keep healthy

Sportsmanship

‘What men can do, women can do better.’

For the topic I totally agree, I personally feel women are no less than men, they can do
everything that men can do. Women have some innate qualities which endorse them to
shoulder huge responsibilities. They can take financial responsibilities, they can take care
of their families, they can earn bread and butter for the family. Now you won’t find a
single area where women have failed to prove themselves. The emotional quotient of the
women is stronger than men so they are the emotional anchors of their family which I
think men can’t do better. In olden times certain professions were the sole right of only
men but today as we all can see, women have proved the potential in every field right
from land, sea to the air. Unlike men they are tolerant, focused, determined, I think more
responsible. They are meticulous too. As compared to men women are more convincing,
they can talk effectively, can find solutions, can give emotional support. In different
situations the reactions of women are different, they face situations courageously, they
are physically weak but morally strong when a man dies his wife takes responsibility of
his entire household but when a woman dies the man becomes helpless. So I personally
feel woman are stronger than men and they can do better.

‘Action speaks louder than words’

Actions speak louder than words – though came from a humble background, she
never allowed the obstacles come her way. Her father being a wrestler did not want his
daughter to become a wrestler but she chased her dream fighting all the odds. Resources
were insufficient but she managed schooling and started her career of sports with
athletics. But later on turned to boxing, practised hard, with her male counterparts,
though she is very shy, a woman of few words, very soft spoken, as a boxer she is
completely opposite a fighter. She is physically fit, mentally strong and technically sound
and has self- faith that has been helping throughout. She takes responsibility of her
failures. She is the first Indian woman boxer to have received an Olympic Medal for
India. Fighting all odds she became tough, chased her goal and she achieved it with
dignity. Really the proverb ‘Actions Speak louder than words’ suits her personality.

‘Fortune favours the brave’

She has shown it through her example to mainly the aspiring sportswomen that if
you have all the ennobling qualities required to be on the pinnacle in the field of sports
then they should be unstoppable there are many external as well as internal factors that
try to dissuade you from your goal but you have to stick to your gut feeling. You have to
fight on your own without anticipating anybodies support. Much against the wish of her
father she entered this field where one is expected to be very strong both physically and
mentally. She trained herself rigorously. In order to make her strong she practised with
her male counterparts. While climbing the ladders of success she never forgot she was
married, had kids. She was always technically sound. She never blamed anyone but
herself for her faults, losses. Her hard work, physical, mental fitness along with
determination, dedication and devotion helped her to bag a bronze medal, rather first
Indian woman, a boxer for her motherland. She is very much focused, responsible and
has proved the fact that if you focus your energies positively, if you have strong will then
you can certainly make your dream a reality.
 3.6 The Concert

1. The whole story revolves around Anant. Write a short paragraph on Anant.
Take help of the following points to develop the paragraph.
1. Health 2. Disease 3. Early interests
4. Intense desire/wish 5. Fulfillment of desire/wish

Anant
Anant and Smita were siblings. Anant was fifteen and was diagnosed with cancer.
They had come to Mumbai with high hopes in the miracles of modern science. His health
was deteriorating day by day. He had to be given oxygen supply through cylinder quite
often. He actually had started losing the battle of life. But his whole family even though
distraught, trying their level best to keep him happy. Not for a single moment they made
him realise that he was dying. Rather they were trying to fulfill all his wishes. When he
was in Gaganpur, he used to play table-tennis in the school and he was the fastest runner.
He used to play Sitar and much to the astonishment of his Guru he had started composing
tunes. He was a child full of life, a sport lover and a creative one. When he came to know
about the concert of Pandit Ravi Shankar and Allah Rakha, he so very much wanted to
attend the same. He wanted to be blessed by their celestial music but his mother didn’t
allow the same only due to his ill health. On the contrary his sister and father were told to
attend the concert as even Smita was taking Sitar lessons. She was spell-bound
throughout the concert but not for a second she had forgotten the plan that she wished to
fulfill for her dear brother. After the performance she wriggled her way through the
crowd and managed to approach music wizard Allah Rakha, Pandit Ravi Shankar
narrated her brother’s tragic story and expressed his strong desire to listen to them. The
great stalwarts the very next day taking out sometime from their busy schedule went to
Sushila aunt’s house and played for Anant. He felt the heavenly rapture and left for the
heavenly abode peacefully.

2. The text mentions names of stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad
Allah Rakha Both have earned worldwide name and fame for their outstanding
contribution to the field of music. Form groups of 5 students each and write a
brief note on other stalwarts in this (music) field. You can take help of your
school library or search the relevant information on the internet.
Take help of the following points :
1. Name :
2. Field : Music
3. Specialisation : Tabla/Sitar/Violin etc
4. Guru :
 5. Early life :
6. Education :
7. Early success :
8. Contribution to the field and world :
9. Awards :
10. Any special incident occurred in his/her life :

Zakir Hussain is an Indian tabla player in Hindustani classical music, musical

producer, film actor and composer. Other genre Jazz fusion world music. His father
played a Guru for him Alla Rakha taught him Pakhawaj from the age of 3. Alla Rakha
belonged to the tradition of tabla-playing known as the Punjab-baaj, one of the six main
traditions of north Indian tabla drumming. Zakir Hussain learnt tabla under his father.
1988 Padmashri, 2002 Padma Bhushan, 1990 Sangeet Natak Akadami Award
India’s National Academy of music dance and drama 1999 USA. National endowment
for the Arts national Heritage fellowship the highest award given to traditional artists
and musicians.
He attended St. Michael’s High School in Mahim and graduated from St. Xavier’s
Mumbai. He went to the US in 1969 to do his Ph.D at the University of Washington
receiving a doctorate in Music, more than 150 concerts a year. In 2005-2006 semester he
resided as full time professor in the music department. He was also a visiting professor at
Stanford University. Today he is appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the
music world at large as an international phenomenon. In 1991 he released his first album.
In his early twenties he started touring the US frequently for concerts. Over the years he
has performed with many talented musicians not just in India but also across the world.
He became a famous international celebrity after taking the sounds of Tabla to many
international festivals and shows. Overall his contribution towards popularizing the
Indian percussion is immense. He was very much moved by the gang rape of 23 year old.
He said, “We are all guilty of what happened. We should not tolerate if such a thing
happens to any of our daughters or sisters in any part of the country.”