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Twin Melodies Class 9: Shruti and Her Father

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EnglishCBSE Class 9 · Twin Melodies

Twin Melodies (Kaveri Unit 6): Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

In Twin Melodies by Mitra Phukan, Shruti Sharma, a young violinist, plays Indo-Western fusion with her friends Iqbal, Avinash and Peter but fears telling her father, the classical violinist Guru Nabin Sharma. He refuses at dinner, then hears the group in Act III, is moved, and, reminded by his wife Leela of how he himself once defied his family's tradition, he gives his blessing.

Follow Nabin's change from no at the dinner to a blessing at the rehearsal, as tradition and fusion finally meet.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Twin Melodies: Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion

The cast. Shruti Sharma is the daughter of the master violinist Guru Nabin Sharma, Principal of Sangeetika Music School. Her mother is Leela Devi. In her fusion group, Iqbal plays the flute, Avinash the tabla and Peter the keyboard.

Act I: Iqbal's house. The friends finish a rehearsal. Iqbal reads a newspaper line praising Shruti's performance with her father: "Melody runs in the veins of Miss Shruti Sharma". Shruti explains that her father is very strict and would see playing the violin to Western tunes as a desecration, because he believes only classical Hindustani music with ragas and aalaaps is worthy. She cares for his opinion but wants to try fusion too. She decides to "bite the bullet" and tell him at dinner.

Act II: the dinner. When she mentions a concert next week, Nabin says no: his rule is one performance every six months, because "familiarity breeds contempt". He says a group performance would drown her individual style. When she says it is an Indo-Western fusion concert, he is shocked, mocks fusion as "phoo" music and leaves. Leela scolds Shruti for hiding her practice, and Shruti promises not to hide anything again.

Act III: the rehearsal. Her parents quietly enter the practice. Nabin begins tapping his feet and clapping with pride, calls the group "soulful" and says Shruti never lost sight of the raga's notes. He offers the music room for practice. Leela reveals that Nabin once defied his family of vocalists, who saw his choice of the violin, not yet part of Indian classical music, as a betrayal. He worked hard and succeeded. He admits he underestimated the power of their music and feared losing Shruti. He says "each bay, its own wind" and promises to root for her group.

Themes. Tradition and modernity; history repeating across generations; duty to family versus personal passion; communication and understanding; friendship and cultural diversity.

Irony. Nabin faced the same opposition from his father that he now gives to Shruti. This is the irony that resolves the play.

Twin Melodies: Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion: key facts

Characters
  • Shruti Sharma
  • Guru Nabin Sharma
  • Leela Devi
  • Iqbal (flute)
  • Avinash (tabla)
  • Peter (keyboard)
As in the text.
Acts
Act Ifriends and the plan
Act IIdinner and refusal
Act IIIrehearsal and blessing
Three acts.
Nabin's views
  • Classical only
  • One performance in six months
  • Fusion is phoo music (Act II)
  • Soulful (Act III)
Shows the change.
Key sayings
  • Bite the bullet
  • Familiarity breeds contempt
  • Each bay, its own wind
Know each in context.

How to answer Twin Melodies: Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion questions

Use this for character or theme questions.

  1. 1Name the character and the situation.
  2. 2Show the conflict with a quote.
  3. 3Show the change in Act III.
  4. 4Name the cause (Leela's reminder, the music itself).
  5. 5Link to the theme of tradition and change.

Twin Melodies: Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Tradition meets change

Suppose a grandmother who has always cooked traditional sweets is shocked when her granddaughter bakes a fusion version. After tasting it, she asks for the recipe and adds a family spice.

Which theme of the play does this show? Answer in 2 lines.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Elder first resists.
  2. After tasting, she accepts.

Answer: It shows that tradition and change can live together, as Nabin accepts the fusion music after hearing it.

Memory hook: Taste before you judge.

Tricks to remember Twin Melodies: Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • I-A-P

    Iqbal flute, Avinash tabla, Peter keyboard.

    Use it when: The fusion group.

  • No-Phoo-Soulful

    Nabin's words from refusal to praise.

    Use it when: The change.

  • Same story twice

    Nabin once defied his family and Shruti now follows her heart.

    Use it when: The irony.

Twin Melodies: Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Instrument · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

In Shruti's fusion group, Avinash plays
(a) the flute (b) the tabla (c) the keyboard (d) the sitar

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Iqbal is on flute, Avinash on tabla and Peter on keyboard.

Answer: (b) the tabla

Example 2: Why she hides · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Why has Shruti not told her father about the fusion concert? Answer in 40-50 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. He is strict (1).
  2. He would see it as a desecration of the violin (1).

Answer: Shruti has not told her father because he is very strict and believes that only classical Hindustani music is worthy. She fears that he will see playing the violin to Western tunes as a desecration. She cares about his opinion, so she delays telling him.

Example 3: Nabin's refusal · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Are Nabin's reasons for refusing in Act II fair to Shruti? Support your answer in 40-50 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. His rule and reason (1).
  2. His judgement without listening (1).
  3. A balanced view (1).

Answer: Nabin has a rule of one performance every six months and fears that a group will drown her individual style, which shows care for her art. But he refuses before hearing the group and mocks fusion as phoo music. His reasons are sincere but not fair, because he judges without listening.

Example 4: Leela's revelation · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

What does Leela reveal in Act III and how does it change Nabin's attitude? Answer in 40-50 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. He once defied his family (1).
  2. They saw the violin as a betrayal (1).
  3. He sees himself in Shruti (1).

Answer: Leela reveals that Nabin came from a family of vocalists who saw his choice of the violin as a betrayal, but he worked hard and succeeded. This reminds Nabin of his own struggle, so he sees himself in Shruti and understands her wish.

Example 5: Tradition and modernity · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

How does the play show that tradition and modernity need not be enemies? Answer in 100-120 words.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The conflict (1).
  2. The change in Act III (2).
  3. Nabin's own history (1).
  4. Message (1).
  5. Expression (1).

Answer: At first the play sets tradition against modernity: Nabin, a classical violinist, rejects fusion and Shruti hides her group. But in Act III he hears them and is moved. He calls the music soulful and notes that Shruti never lost sight of the raga's notes, so fusion has kept the roots of tradition. Leela reminds him that he too once broke from a family tradition when he took up the violin. He realises that tradition grows through change, and he promises to root for the group, saying "each bay, its own wind". The title Twin Melodies suggests that the two kinds of music can play together.

Where students lose marks in Twin Melodies: Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Mixing up the friends' instruments

    Each friend has one instrument.

    Wrong working

    Peter plays the tabla.

    Right working

    Iqbal: flute, Avinash: tabla, Peter: keyboard.

    Do this: Use I-A-P.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

  • Mistake: Making Nabin a villain

    He is strict but loving.

    Wrong working

    Nabin hates Shruti's friends.

    Right working

    Nabin fears losing Shruti and believes in tradition.

    Do this: Give his reasons.

    Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks

  • Mistake: Ignoring Leela's revelation

    It is the turning point.

    Wrong working

    Nabin changes his mind because of the concert alone.

    Right working

    He changes after hearing the music and after Leela reminds him of his own past.

    Do this: Mention both causes.

    Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks

  • Mistake: Treating the play as a story

    It is a play in three acts.

    Wrong working

    In chapter one.

    Right working

    In Act I.

    Do this: Use acts and stage terms.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

Exam tips

  • Refer to acts, not chapters.
  • Quote the three sayings with their meanings.
  • Name the four supporting characters correctly.
  • Explain Nabin's change with two causes.
  • End with tradition and change living together.

Practice questions on Twin Melodies: Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    Which rule does Nabin give about performances?
    (a) one every month (b) one every six months (c) one every year (d) none at all

    Hint

    He says familiarity breeds contempt.

    Answer

    (b) one every six months

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    What does Shruti mean when she says it is time to "bite the bullet"? Answer in 40-50 words.

    Hint

    Think of doing something difficult.

    Answer

    To bite the bullet is to face something unpleasant with courage. Shruti uses the phrase because she has to tell her strict father about the fusion concert. She decides to raise the matter at dinner, though she is afraid of his reaction.

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    How does Nabin's reaction change between Act II and Act III? Answer in 40-50 words.

    Hint

    Compare phoo music with soulful.

    Answer

    In Act II he mocks fusion as "phoo" music and walks out, refusing to discuss it. In Act III, after hearing the group, he taps his feet, claps and praises them as soulful. The change shows that he judged without listening and that hearing the music changed his mind.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    What is the role of Leela in the play? Answer in 40-50 words.

    Hint

    Think of both scolding and revealing.

    Answer

    Leela is the link between father and daughter. She scolds Shruti for hiding her practice, so Shruti promises not to hide anything. She also reveals his own past, which opens his eyes. Nabin gives her the credit for this.

  5. Q5 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Suppose Shruti has to write a letter of thanks to her father after Act III. Write it in 100-120 words.

    Hint

    Use the play's events.

    Answer

    Dear Papa, thank you for coming to our practice and for offering us the music room. I was afraid to tell you about our fusion group because I thought you would see it as a desecration of the violin. Your words about our music being soulful mean more to me than any applause. Mother told me how you stood up to your own family to play the violin, and I am proud of you. I promise that I will never lose sight of the raga while I try new sounds. Thank you for listening and for believing in me. With love, Shruti.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Who wrote Twin Melodies?Show answer

    Mitra Phukan.

  2. 2.Who is Shruti's father?Show answer

    Guru Nabin Sharma.

  3. 3.Which instrument does Shruti play?Show answer

    The violin.

  4. 4.What does Nabin call fusion music in Act II?Show answer

    "Phoo" music.

  5. 5.How many acts are there?Show answer

    Three.

  6. 6.Which poem is in the same unit?Show answer

    A Friend Found in Music.

Twin Melodies: Shruti, Nabin Sharma and the Meeting of Tradition and Fusion: frequently asked questions

What is the central idea?

Tradition and innovation need not be enemies; each generation finds its own path.

Why does Nabin change his mind?

He hears the group, is moved and recalls his own break from family tradition.

What does "each bay, its own wind" mean?

It can be read as: each person has a path of their own, and it deserves respect.

What type of text is it?

A three-act play.