1
The play "Twin Melodies" opens with a rehearsal for an Indo-Western fusion music piece. Briefly describe the setting of this scene. 3marks
2
Who are the four children performing in the fusion music group, and what instruments do they play? 3marks
3
Read the following excerpt:Iqbal: (picking up a newspaper from his desk) Wait wait, before anyone goes. Did any of you guys read what they wrote about Shruti’s performance with her father yesterday in the Parbatpuri Daily Clarion? Ahem ahem, “Melody runs in the veins of Twin Melodies Miss Shruti Sharma, daughter of the master violinist Nabin Sharma!”Why does Iqbal bring up the newspaper clipping, and what is the immediate reaction of Avinash and Peter? 3marks
4
Explain Shruti's apprehension about telling her father about the fusion concert, using her own words from the play. 3marks
5
Complete the following sentence:Shruti’s father firmly believes that Classical Hindustani music, with its ragas and aalaaps, is the only kind of music that an artist ______. 2marks
6
Define the idiom "bite the bullet" and explain how Shruti decides to use it in Act I. 3marks
7
In Act II, Shruti's mother, Leela, makes a humorous remark about her husband's cooking. Quote the line and explain its significance in the context of Shruti's dilemma. 3marks
8
Nabin Sharma expresses his disapproval of fusion music. Quote two phrases he uses to describe his contempt for it. 2marks
9
Nabin states, "familiarity breeds contempt." How does this statement relate to his initial reaction to Shruti's involvement in a fusion concert? 3marks
10
What is the meaning of the word 'desecration' as used by Shruti in relation to her father's views on music? 2marks
11
In Act III, Nabin Sharma's attitude towards Shruti's performance undergoes a significant change. Describe this transformation, citing evidence from the play. 5marks
12
Nabin Sharma's wife, Leela, plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between him and Shruti. Explain how she helps Nabin understand his daughter's passion. 5marks
13
Analyze the character of Nabin Sharma. How does his past influence his initial views on music and his eventual change of heart? 5marks
14
The play explores the theme of tradition versus modernity in music. Discuss how this conflict is depicted through the characters of Shruti and Nabin. 5marks
15
Identify the phrase used in the play that suggests that the father's fears about Shruti being "lost to us" were unfounded. 2marks
16
Explain the meaning of the idiom "worked his fingers to the bone" and how it applies to Nabin Sharma's past. 3marks
17
The title "Twin Melodies" refers to Nabin Sharma and Shruti. How does the play illustrate their shared passion for music while also highlighting their differences? 5marks
18
How does the play use the concept of "aside" to reveal Shruti's inner thoughts and feelings? Provide an example. 3marks
19
Read the following dialogue:Shruti: There is need to worry Iqbal! You don’t know papa. He is very strict about these things. He will think it a desecration of the violin to be played to Western tunes.Identify the emotion Shruti is experiencing and explain the reason behind it. 3marks
20
Consider the following statement: "Each bay, its own wind." What does this proverb, used by Nabin, signify in the context of the play's resolution? 3marks
Answers
1
The scene opens in Iqbal's room, which is described as having a small rack and a wooden table stacked with books. On the walls are posters of famous Indian flute players. 3marks
2
The four children are Shruti (violin), Iqbal (flute), Avinash (tabla), and Peter (keyboard). 3marks
3
Iqbal brings up the newspaper clipping to praise Shruti and highlight her growing fame. Avinash and Peter react with excitement and playfully suggest Shruti should throw a party. 3marks
4
Shruti is apprehensive because her father is very strict about music. She believes he would consider playing Western tunes on the violin a desecration and that he firmly believes only Classical Hindustani music is worthy of an artist. She fears he will think she doesn't care about his opinions. 3marks
5
...of any worth should play. 2marks
6
"Bite the bullet" means to deal with an unpleasant or difficult situation in a courageous way. Shruti decides to bite the bullet by finally telling her father about the fusion concert, resolving to apologize first if needed. 3marks
7
Leela says: "If you are trying to find the right words to tell your dad that I make much better dosa than him, I suggest you abandon the mission. He doesn’t have the strength to face the truth." This line humorously implies Nabin is stubborn and easily displeased, underscoring Shruti's fear of his reaction. 3marks
8
Nabin uses the phrases: "drown your individual style in the hubbub of an orchestra" and "lose their sense of musicality to such an extent." 2marks
9
Nabin's statement implies that over-familiarity with something can lead to a lack of appreciation or even disdain. He initially feels this way about fusion music, considering it a lesser form compared to classical music due to its perceived lack of depth or tradition. 3marks
10
'Desecration' here means disrespect or damage towards something considered sacred. Shruti uses it to convey her father's view that playing Western tunes on the violin is a disrespectful act towards the instrument and its classical tradition. 2marks
11
Initially, Nabin is stern and dismissive, firmly stating "No is the answer" and calling fusion music a "desecration." However, after witnessing the practice session in Act III, he is visibly impressed, clapping furiously, tapping his feet, and expressing pride. He acknowledges Shruti's excellence and even offers the music room for their practice, signifying a complete shift in his attitude from disapproval to support. 5marks
12
Leela helps Nabin by reminding him of his own past. She reveals that his father (Shruti's grandfather) disapproved of his choice to play the violin, a Western instrument, instead of following the family tradition of vocalists. She highlights how Nabin himself had to go against his family's wishes and worked hard to succeed, thereby opening Nabin's eyes to the parallels with Shruti's situation and encouraging him to support her. 5marks
13
Nabin Sharma's past as a violinist who defied his family's tradition of vocalists deeply influences his initial views. He fears Shruti might "be lost to us" by embracing fusion music, reflecting his own past struggles and the potential for losing one's roots. However, upon realizing that Shruti also upholds the essence of classical music within fusion and that his fears were baseless, he acknowledges his underestimation of their own music's power and his daughter's talent, leading to his change of heart. 5marks
14
The conflict between tradition and modernity is central to the play. Nabin represents tradition, valuing Classical Hindustani music above all. Shruti embodies modernity, eager to explore Indo-Western fusion. Nabin's initial rigidity reflects the resistance to change, while Shruti's passion and eventual compromise demonstrate the possibility of blending old and new. The resolution, where Nabin supports Shruti's fusion performance after recognizing its inherent musicality, signifies a reconciliation between tradition and modernity. 5marks
15
The phrase is: "I realise that my fears were baseless." 2marks
16
"Worked his fingers to the bone" means to work extremely hard. This phrase applies to Nabin Sharma because he, like Shruti, had to overcome his family's disapproval and work diligently to establish himself as a violinist. 3marks
17
The title "Twin Melodies" aptly refers to Nabin and Shruti, both accomplished musicians. They share a deep love for music, with Nabin being a master violinist and Shruti an aspiring one. Their 'melodies' are twin in their passion but differ in their style – Nabin championing traditional Hindustani classical music and Shruti exploring modern fusion. The play shows their eventual harmonious understanding, where their individual melodies blend into a more complete and supportive tune. 5marks
18
An "aside" is a theatrical device where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, unheard by other characters on stage. It reveals Shruti's inner conflict and feelings. For example, when Shruti says: "(Aside) Oh, how much I enjoy performing this piece. Perhaps I can practise one last time and soon after that I will tell them that I can’t join them for the performance." This reveals her enjoyment of the music but also her decision to withdraw due to her father's disapproval. 3marks
19
Shruti is experiencing fear and anxiety. The reason is her father's strict adherence to traditional Hindustani music and his strong disapproval of Western tunes being played on the violin, which she believes he would consider a "desecration." She is unsure how to tell him about her participation in a fusion concert without facing his anger or disappointment. 3marks
20
The proverb "Each bay, its own wind" signifies that each individual has their own unique journey, path, and way of navigating life and challenges. In the context of the play, it means that Shruti's musical journey and Nabin's journey as a father are distinct, and he should trust her to find her own way, just as he found his. It implies acceptance of individual paths and support for their unique directions, contributing to the play's theme of understanding and reconciliation. 3marks
