Question Answers Class 10 Chapter 3.6 Kumarbharati English Maharashtra Board

The Concert

ENGLISH WORKSHOP

1. Who said to whom?

Question: Read the following sentences and identify who said them to whom.

(a) “We mustn’t miss the chance.”

Answer:  Anant said this to Smita. He was excited about Pandit Ravi Shankar’s concert and didn’t want to miss the opportunity despite his illness.

(b) “This is not the last time they are going to play.”

Answer:  Smita’s mother said this to Anant. She was trying to calm him down and assure him that there would be other chances to hear the musicians, knowing he couldn’t go.

(c) “A walk in the park might make you feel better.”

Answer:  Aunt Sushila said this to Smita. She noticed Smita’s sadness and suggested it to help her feel better after Anant’s wish couldn’t be fulfilled immediately.

(d) “Tomorrow morning we perform for the boy – Yes?”

Answer:  Ustad Allah Rakha said this to Pandit Ravi Shankar. He agreed to Smita’s request to play for Anant at home, showing kindness and willingness.

2. Read the following sentences and write which emotions are revealed from these sentences.

(a) Pandit Ravi Shankar is playing tomorrow at Shanmukhananda auditorium.

Answer: Emotion: Excitement. Smita feels thrilled and happy when she reads about the concert in the newspaper.

(b) It’s the chance of a lifetime.

Answer:  Emotion: Hope and longing. Anant expresses his deep desire to hear Pandit Ravi Shankar, seeing it as a rare and precious opportunity.

(c) Will you come to Aunt Sushila’s house and play for him?

Answer: Emotion: Desperation and pleading. Smita is emotional and desperate while asking Pandit Ravi Shankar to fulfill her brother’s wish

 (d) Did you…did you hear him?

Answer: Emotion: Anxiety and hope. Anant, weak and breathless, is eager to know if Smita heard Panditji, showing his longing despite his condition.

(e) Is it…It’s not possible?

Answer: Emotion: Shock and disbelief. The neighbors are stunned to see famous musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha arriving at Aunt Sushila’s modest home.

3. Read the text carefully, you will find some words describing a particular specialty of the individuals/personalities in the text. Explain the meaning of the following words given in the table with reference to the particular personality mentioned in the text.

Question: Explain the meanings of the following words in relation to the personalities in the story

Answer:

4. Describe the condition of Smita when she was going towards the stage. Read the text again and complete the boxes given below. One is done for you.

Question: Fill in the details about Smita’s physical and emotional state as she approached the stage.

• Her heart was beating loudly.
• Smita’s condition: (Complete the rest)

Answer:

• Her heart was beating loudly.
• Her knees felt weak.
• Her tongue was dry.

(Explanation: As Smita moved toward Pandit Ravi Shankar to make her request, she was nervous and overwhelmed, which caused these physical reactions.)

5. The whole story revolves around Anant. Write a short paragraph on Anant. Take help of the following points to develop the paragraph.

Question: Write a paragraph about Anant using these points:

1. Health
2. Disease
3. Early interests
4. Intense desire/wish
5. Fulfillment of desire/wish

Answer: Anant was a fifteen-year-old boy whose health deteriorated due to cancer, leaving him bedridden and dependent on oxygen. Despite his deadly disease, he remained passionate about music and sports. Before falling ill, he was the best table-tennis player and fastest runner in school, and he had a keen interest in learning the sitar, even surpassing his sister Smita in skill. His intense desire was to hear Pandit Ravi Shankar perform live, which he called “the chance of a lifetime.” Though too sick to attend the concert, his wish was fulfilled when Smita convinced Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha to play at home, bringing him immense joy as he passed away peacefully surrounded by music.

6. The story has three important characters – Anant, Smita, and Aunt Sushila. Go through the story again and complete the following table that highlights their special traits of character. You can put an X mark if that trait is not mentioned in the text.

Answer:

7. The two contradictory pictures are depicted in the story. Discuss in pairs and describe them in your words in front of the class.

Question: Identify and describe the two opposing scenes in the story.

Answer:

1. First Picture: The vibrant and cheerful scene of the concert at Shanmukhananda auditorium, where the audience clapped loudly, the music enchanted everyone, and Smita felt transported to a magical world. It was full of life, energy, and celebration.

2. Second Picture: The gloomy and tragic situation at Aunt Sushila’s home, where Anant lay dying of cancer, surrounded by a family hiding their sorrow with forced smiles. It was a scene of despair, helplessness, and quiet suffering, contrasting sharply with the concert’s joy.

8. The text has a big collection of Indian words in it. Using words from another language in a write-up is called Code-mixing. Make a list of all the Indian words in table A and their meanings in table B. One is done for you.

Question: List the Indian words from the story and explain their meanings.

Answer:

• Table A (Indian Words):
  1. Bharatnatyam
  2. Kathakali
  3. Kuchipudi
  4. Padmashri
  5. Sangeet
  6. Kalidas Sanman
  7. Pandit
  8. Shanmukhananda
  9. Sitar
  10. Guru
  11. Ustad
  12. Raga
  13. Paan
  14. Divan
• Table B (Meanings):
  1. Bharatnatyam – A classical Indian dance form.
  2. Kathakali – A dramatic dance from Kerala.
  3. Kuchipudi – A classical dance from Andhra Pradesh.
  4. Padmashri – A prestigious Indian award.
  5. Sangeet – Music or musical performance.
  6. Kalidas Sanman – An award for arts and literature.
  7. Pandit – A title for a learned or skilled person, often a musician.
  8. Shanmukhananda – Name of an auditorium in Bombay.
  9. Sitar – A stringed musical instrument.
  10. Guru – A teacher or mentor.
  11. Ustad – A master musician.
  12. Raga – A melodic framework in Indian music.
  13. Paan – A betel leaf preparation chewed in India.
  14. Divan – A low couch or bed.

9. (A) Choose the appropriate Adverb or Adjective form to fill in the gaps.

Question: Select the correct word from the options given.

1. She spoke in an __excited____ tone. (excited / excitedly)
2. Smita accepted the suggestion __gratefully____. (grateful / gratefully)
3. They gave him whatever made him __happy____. (happy / happily)
4. He ran very __slowly____. (slow / slowly)
5. He would become a __great____ sitarist some day. (great / greatly)
6. Life went out of him __gently____. (gentle / gently)

9. (B) Rewrite in Indirect speech.

Question: Convert the following direct speech sentences into indirect speech.

1. “Please,” she begged him, “Please come.”

• She begged him to please come.

2. He said, “What shall we do, Ustad Sahib?”

• He asked Ustad Sahib what they should do.

3. Her brother said, “Enjoy yourself.” He added, “Lucky you!”

• Her brother told her to enjoy herself and added that she was lucky.

4. “Yes,” Panditji replied. “It’s settled then. Tomorrow morning we shall perform for the boy.”

•  Panditji replied that yes, it was settled then, and they would perform for the boy the next morning.

 10. 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.

Question: Write a brief note on another music stalwart using these points:

1. Name
2. Field
3. Specialisation
4. Guru
5. Early life
6. Education
7. Early success
8. Contribution to the field and world
9. Awards
10. Any special incident

Answer: (Example of one stalwart)

• Name: Ustad Zakir Hussain
• Field: Music
• Specialisation: Tabla
• Guru: Ustad Alla Rakha (his father)
• Early Life: Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai to a musical family.
• Education: Trained in tabla from childhood under his father’s guidance.
• Early Success: Began performing internationally as a teenager, gaining fame for his skill.
• Contribution to the Field and World: Popularized tabla globally by blending Indian classical music with jazz and fusion, collaborating with artists like John McLaughlin.
• Awards: Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), Grammy Awards.
• Any Special Incident: At age 7, he spontaneously joined his father on stage during a concert, earning applause and marking the start of his career.

11. Imagine you are the monitor of your class. You are assigned the task to invite a classical singer as a chief guest for the Annual Day Programme. Write a letter of invitation to a famous classical singer. Take help of the following points. Write in short –

Question: Write a letter using these points:

1. About your school
2. About the Annual Day Programme
3. Interest and love of students for music
4. Motivation

Answer: XYZ School, Pune, Maharashtra April 9, 2025

To: [Name of Singer], [Address], [City]

Subject: Invitation to be Chief Guest at Annual Day Programme

Dear [Singer’s Name],

I am [Your Name], the monitor of Class 10th at XYZ School, Pune, a reputed institution known for encouraging talent. We are delighted to invite you as the Chief Guest for our Annual Day Programme on [date]. The event will feature student performances, celebrating our achievements.

Our students deeply admire classical music, especially [mention form, e.g., Hindustani], and are eager to witness your presence. Your inspiring journey as a renowned singer would motivate us to pursue our passions with dedication. We would be honored if you could join us and share a few words.

Kindly confirm your availability.

Yours sincerely, [Your Name] Class Monitor, Class 10th XYZ School, Pune