Chapter - 2 Cultural Heritage of India : Traditional Handicraft and Fine Arts
Answer the following questions in detail.
1. Explain clay work of ancient Indian heritage.
Ans :- There has been a close relation between man and clay since ancient time. The use of clay was so much in that period that whole life Of a person revolved around clay. Since, metal was not invented almost everything was made of clay. Potter’s wheel served as the key equipment for making things out of clay. Potters used to make toys, pots, pitchers, earthen lamps, clay stoves (chulhas), etc. Clay was also used in making utensils to store grains, milk, curd and buttermilk. Most of the kitchen wares were made up of clay.
Mixture of clay and cow-dung was also used to plaster the walls of the houses and making kubans (huts). Evidence of red coloured clay utensils of ancient period has been found in Lothal, Mohen-jodaro and Harappa. We can also see use of clay items like pots for storing water and ‘garba’ (pitcher) having holes containing earthen lamp inside) in Navratri. Ancient India was quite well-known for producing utensils of unbaked and baked clay i.e. terracotta. Evidence of ancient handmade terracotta utensils were found at Nagaijuna kaunda in South India and Laghnaj in Mehsana district. Thus, India’s clay work is extremely ancient and still practised widely.
2. Leather work is a very old art of India. Explain.
Ans :- Ancient India made use of the dead animal skin to make various products. When the animal died, its skin was processed in a traditional manner and converted into leather which was then used to make several useful products. Initially, leather was mainly used for making ‘masak’ and ‘kos’. Later, it was also used in making musical instruments like drum, dholak and table, etc. It was also used in making footwear, leather belts to tie animals and to make shields used for wars. Saaj, palan, lagaam and whip, etc. for animals like horses and camels were also made for leather. Hence, we can say that leather had a prominent place in ancient Indian Art.
OR
→ Skin of the dead animals was used in the ancient India for various purposes.
→ After processing the skin leather was obtained for making Masak and Kos, musical instruments and the bellows of blacksmiths. Various types of footwears and leather belts to tie up animals were made. Leather was also used to make shields for the warriors.
→ In present times well-knitted Mojadis are made in Rajasthan. Leather shoes, purses and belts are also made from leather.
→ For horses and camels articles like saaj, palan,lagaam and whip are made from leather.
3. Give introduction of Sangeet Ratnaka?.
Ans :- Pandit Sarangdev of Daulatabad (Devgiri) wrote Sangeet Ratnakar. He was quite familiar with the music of south and north India. Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande considers Sangeet Ratnakar as the most authentic book on music. It is considered to be the finest text for understanding music.
OR
→ Sangeet Ratnakar' is an ancient India text on classical music.
→ It was composed by Pandit Sarangdev.
→ As he was living at Devgiri (Daulatabad), hla was familiar with the North Indian and the South Indian styles of music.
→ This book is useful in understanding all aspects of Indian music.
→ Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande regards this work as the most authentic book on music.
4. Give information about Kathakali dance.
Ans :- Kathakali is believed to be originated in Kerala and is very famous dance there. In Malayalam language, the word ‘katha’ means story and ‘Kali’ means play. So, Kathakali is a form of narrating story while performing (playing) dance. The word Kathakali has been derived from the dramas based on ancient epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata composed in Sanskrit and Malayalam languages.
Males perform this dance. They wear beautiful plaited attires and artistic crowns. They show various facial expressions and the audience understands the characters that the dancers are playing. In this dance, the stage is lit only with an earthen lamp. So, the dancers come near the lamp and show various expressions. So that people can see their movements and recognize the characters they are playing.
Poet Shri Vallathod (founder, Kalamandal Kathakali) of Kerala, Kalamandalam, Krishnprasad and Shivaraman, etc. have earned great national and international fame in Kathakali dance.
OR
→ The term Kathakali is derived from the word 'Katha'-story and 'Kall'-enacting.
→ It enacts episodes in the epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata and the language is a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam.
→ The artists wear beautiful plalted attires and crowns. The audience can recognise the character in drama from the facial expression of the artists.
→ The stage is lighted with a single earthen lamp and the characters come into the front of the curtain to introduce themselves.
→ This dance form originated in Kerala.
→ In order to popularise this form of dance Shri Vallathod founded Kalamandal Kathakali. Krishnaprasad and Shivaraman are renowned Kathakali dancers.
Q.2 Write answers of the following questions pointwise
1. Explain the progress of Dancing art of India?
Ans :- Dance in India exists since ancient time. Various dance forms exists in India. A few of the classical dances are discussed below:
(1) Bharatnatyam:
‘Natyashastra’ by Bharatmuni and ‘Abhinav Darpan’ by Nadikeshwar are . two books which are considered to be the original source of Bharatnatyam.
(2) Kuchipudi:
This dance form dance originated in 15th century. It is quite famous in Andhra Pradesh.
This dance is majorly based on describing women’s beauty.
Guru Prahlad Sharma, Raja Reddy, Shobha Naidu, etc. are some of the well- known dancers who have preserved this ancient dance.
(3) Kathakali:
Kathakali is believed to be originated in Kerala and is very famous dance there. In Malayalam language, the word ‘katha’ means story and ‘Kali’ means play. So, Kathakali is a form of narrating story while performing (playing) dance. The word Kathakali has been derived from the dramas based on ancient epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata composed in Sanskrit and Malayalam languages.
Males perform this dance. They wear beautiful plaited attires and artistic crowns. They show various facial expressions and the audience understands the characters that the dancers are playing. In this dance, the stage is lit only with an earthen lamp. So, the dancers come near the lamp and show various expressions. So that people can see their movements and recognize the characters they are playing.
Poet Shri Vallathod (founder, Kalamandal Kathakali) of Kerala, Kalamandalam, Krishnprasad and Shivaraman, etc. have earned great national and international fame in Kathakali dance.
(4) Kathak:
Kathak originated in northern India.
It is developed by ‘Shrungar Bhakti’ done by the Vaishnav community of north India.
This style of dance has been kept alive by Pandit Shrit Biiju Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Kumudini Lakhia, etc.
(5) Manipuri dance:
Manipuri dance originated from Manipur in east India.
This dance style is mainly based on Ras Leela and Bal Leela of Shri Krishna.
Manipuri dance is divided into two types, i.e., Lasya and Tandav.
Guru Amobisingh, Atombosingh, Guru Bipin Sinha, Nayna Zaveri, Nirmal Mehta, etc. have gained worldwide fame in Manipuri dance.
People of various states perform these dances on various occasions. They have taken these dances from to international levels.
OR
The term 'Nritya' has been derived from the Sanskrit word 'Nrit which means to express human emotions by physical gestures. It is a medum of realizing beauty with rhythm faat and tag and harmony and thereby realisation of aesthetic pleasure-joy
→ The origin of the Indian dance is attributed to Lord Shiva, also known as Natraj.
→ The Indian dances are broadly classified as classical dances and folk dances.
→ The traditional are: (1) Bharatnatyam. (2) Kuchipudi. (3) Kathakali. (4) Kathak. (5) Odissi and (6) Manipuri.
→ The nature and form of folk dances differs from region to region. Garba. Garbi, Raas and the main folk dances of Gujarat. Besides these. the tribals in Gujarat. the kolis in Saurashtra the Siddis, the Padnar and the Bharwads have their distinct folk dances.
→ Bharatnatyam is believed to be the oldest style of Indian dance which originated in Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.
→ Kuchipudi style of Indian dance emerged in Andhra Pradesh during the 15th century.
→ Kathakalt style of Indian dance emged in Kerala, based on the ancient epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, presented in mixed form of Sanskrit and Malayalam.
→ Kathak style of dancing emerged in North India under the impact of Bhakti movement. It has evolved into Shrungar-Bhakti of the Vaishnav community
→ Manipuri dance style emerged in Manipur. This style, like Kathak, depicts Bal Lila and Ras Lila of Lord Krishna in the dance form.
2. Give information about Garba and Garbi of Gujarat.
Ans :- Garba:
→ The word Garba is derived from the word ‘Garbh deep’ i.e. Garbh lamp.
→ In this form of dance, the dancers keep an earthen lamp in a holed earthen pot. They keep the pot on their heads and dance by moving around in circle.
→ People of entire Gujarat dance on the tunes of Garba during Navratri which is a festival of nine days.
→ Navratri as per Hindu calendar is celebrated between ‘Aso Sud Ekam to Aso Sud Navmi or at times upto Dasam’. People also perform this dance during Sharad Pumima.
→ Gujarati people perform and sing garba to worship and pray Adhya Shakti (Goddess of Power) mother Jagdamba).
→ Generally, people perform Garba in the open ground encircling ‘mataji’s mandvi’. The dancers strike hands and dance on the beats of drums and dhols.
→ Gujarati poetry known as Garba and Garbi are basically associated with Krishna-bhakti.
→ Gujarati poet Dayaram write several poems based on ‘Radha-Krishna’ love.
→ The female singers of Gujarat are mesmerized with these poems and they sing them during Garbas.
3. Describe the art of Diamond, Bead Work and Enamel work of India and Gujarat.
Ans :-India has 7516.6 km long coastline surrounding three directions i.e. east, west and south. As a result, diamonds and beads Eire avaiilable in plenty.
→ India has been fond of using gems Emd diamonds since Eincient times.
→ Diamond studded ornaments were in a great demand even in foreign countries.
→ So, India traded gems and beads with various countries through the sea route via its long coastline.
→ Owing to both domestic and international demands, India’s diamond and bead industry flourished extensively.
→ India was home to some of the biggest and rarest diamonds including the world famous ‘Kohinoor’ and ‘Great Mughal’.
→ Since the diamonds, beads Eind rare stones were very costly, so mainly Kings, rulers or rich class people used them. These people wore jewellery made of gold studded with beads and diamonds.
→ Diamonds, rubies, beads, emerald Emd -topaz were used to beautify the thrones and crowns.
→ Gujarat is quite famous for beadwork.
→ Beautiful bead torans, necklace, pacchit, kalash (pots), bari (window grills-frames) ‘chakda’ (a traditional wall piece), (Lagna na nariyel) decorative coconut used at the time of ceremonies ‘Indhoni’, Modiya’ (a net which covers the mouth of a bullock, horns) hand fans, EmimEil back covers (Jhool), etc.
Enamel work:
→ The artistic skill of inlaying bright colours like red, green and blue in the gold-silver ornaments like rings, bangles, earrings, key chains, chains, etc. is known as Enamel work.
→ India is the only country in the world where expertise can be seen in the enamel work, apart from the gold and silver work.
→ Expert artisans of enamel work are found abundantly in Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi Emd Hyderabad.
4. Describe the tribal dance of Gujarat.
Ans :- Tribal Dance of Gujarat: People of tribal areas arid communities perform tribal dEmce during festivals, marriages, fairs and to please the God- Goddesses.
→ They dance in circle form mostly on the tunes of various traditional musical instruments like drum, traditional mEmjira, dholak and songs of regional languages.
→ In a tribal dance form ‘Chado’, the dancers imitate different birds like peacock, squirrel Emd sparrow.
→ We can see this ‘Chado’ form of dance in Dang area of Gujarat. ‘Mali No Chado’ End ‘ThEtkryo Chado’ are two such dance forms seen in Dang.
→ The labourers of Bhil and Koli communities perform a form of dance called ‘Tippsmi dance’.
→ In this dance, the dancers dance in a group oh the set of thick sticks which are joined with small sticks. They then strike this sticks to the floor and dance.
Q.3 Answers of the following questions in brief.
1. Name the writers of’Sangeet Ratnakar’ and ‘Sangeet Parijat’.
Ans :- Sangeet Ratnakar: Pandit Sarangdev of Daulatabad (Devgiri) wrote Sangeet Ratnakar. He was quite familiar with the music of south and north India.
Sangeet Parijat: Pandit Ahobale wrote Sangeet Parijat in 1665. It is based on Northern Hindustani music. It is considered a very important book on music.
2. What is the process followed in spinning?
Ans :- The art of making long threads using small cotton pieces from cotton balls (swab) and joining them together is called art of spinning.
Or
The art of making long threads by usin small quantity of cotton swab and joining then together is the procedure followed in spinning.
3. Name the items of metal prepared by artisans of Lothal.
Ans:- The artisans of Lothal made different weapons like sickles, drills, (curved saws) and needles, etc. with copper and bronze. They also used to make utensils, idols and pots.
OR
The artisans of Lothal made different types of appliances like sickle, curved saw and needle from copper and bronze. They made utensils, idols and pots from copper and bronze. Weapons were made from iron. Gold and silver were used for making ornaments.
4. Which design did artisans make on clay utensils?
Ans :-
The artisans of Harappa age used to draw geometrical designs and sketches on clay utensils.
Or
The artisans of Harappan age used to draw geometricals designs and sketches on clay utensils.
5. Write a short note on ‘Bhavai’.
Ans :- Bhavai is a popular folk drama form of western India, especially in Gujarat. This art was started 700 years ago by Asait Thakar. This art promoted during Solanki era. It was mainly performed without using curtains, with light humour and with the music being played on a trumpet. Characters disguised in the form of Ramdev, Jhanda, Jhulan, Kajoda, etc. are the main features of Bhavai.
\Bhavai is an affordable means of educating while entertaining people on various areas. It mainly focuses on the social evils. The characters like Rangla-Rangli are used to promote the ” programme like girls” education, save the girl-child, etc. Performers of Bhavai play trumpet and pray to the Goddess by reciting hymns.
Or
→ Bhaval is unique contribution of Gujarat to the art of dramatics.
→ This the art emerged about 700 years ago during Solanki rule. Asait Thakar was the first Bhavai creator.
→ Bhavai is performed in an open area, without curtains and in an informal manner, with light humour and trumpet music to evoke blessings of Mataji.
→ It is an economical means of entertainment that provides education to the people in an informal way by attacking social vices.
→ The characters are disguised in the form of Ramdev, Jhanda Jhulan and Kajoda. The main characters are named as Ranglo and Rangli.
→ This form of entertainment is used by the Government of Gujarat to promote girls' education and for 'Beti Bachao' campaign .