The Concert

Answer

Smita is a sixteen-year-old girl and the sister of Anant. She is the main character who quietly tries to fulfil her dying brother's wish to hear Pandit Ravi Shankar play.

Answer

Anant is Smita's fifteen-year-old brother. He is dying of cancer, but he was the best table-tennis player and the fastest runner in school. He was also learning the sitar and could compose his own tun…

Answer

The family had come to Bombay so that Anant could be treated at a cancer hospital. Bombay was the name used for Mumbai at that time.

Answer

Anant was very ill with cancer and needed oxygen and rest. The doctors had said he had not many days to live, so he could not attend the concert himself.

Answer

Maestro means a great and highly respected performer or conductor of classical music. In the story, Pandit Ravi Shankar is called a sitar maestro because he is a master musician.

Answer

Murmur means to speak very softly. Smita's mother murmurs when she speaks gently about Anant, showing care and concern.

Answer

Indulge means to let someone enjoy what they want, especially when they are very ill or unhappy. The doctors advised the family to indulge Anant, which means to keep him as comfortable and happy as po…

Answer

Plaintive means sad or full of feeling. The plaintive notes of the music create a sorrowful but beautiful mood in the concert.