Kathmandu Chapter 8 English NCERT Solution ||Beehive|| Class 9
Thinking about the Text (Page 103)
I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.
1. Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.
Answer : The two temples the author visited in Kathmandu are the Pashupatinath Temple and the Baudhnath Stupa.
2. The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’
refer to?
Answer : In the context of the text, “all this” refers to the various food items that the writer consumes. It typically includes a variety of snacks or meals that the writer enjoys, which are then followed by drinking Coca Cola to wash them down.
3. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?
Answer : Vikram Seth compares the fifty or sixty bansuris (flutes) protruding in all directions from the pole of a flute seller to the quills of a porcupine.
4. Name five kinds of flutes.
Answer :
- Western Concert Flute: The most common type, used in orchestras and bands.
- Piccolo: A smaller, higher-pitched flute.
- Alto Flute: A larger flute with a deeper, mellower sound.
- Bass Flute: An even larger flute with a very deep sound.
- Bansuri: A traditional Indian bamboo flute.
II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.
1. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other
hawkers?
Answer : the author notes a distinct difference between the flute seller and the other hawkers. Unlike the other hawkers who shout loudly to attract customers, the flute seller plays his flute slowly and meditatively. He does not engage in excessive display or show any desperation to sell his flutes.
2. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?
Answer : At Pashupatinath, there is a belief that the end of Kaliyug will be marked by a significant event involving a small shrine. This shrine, which is partially submerged in the Bagmati River, is believed to contain a goddess. The belief is that when the shrine fully emerges from the river, the goddess will be released, signaling the end of Kaliyug and the beginning of a new era.
3. The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples
each of
(i) the atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath
(for example: some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed
aside...)
(ii) the things he sees
(iii) the sounds he hears
Answer :
(i) Atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath:
- People trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside by others pushing their way to the front.
- A fight breaks out between two monkeys.
- A group of saffron-clad Westerners struggle to enter the main gate.
(ii) The things he sees:
- The Baudhnath Stupa with its immense white dome.
- Small shops on the outer edge selling felt bags, Tibetan prints, and silver jewellery.
- Fruit sellers, flute sellers, hawkers of postcards, and shops selling Western cosmetics, film rolls, chocolate, copper utensils, and Nepalese antiques.
(iii) The sounds he hears:
- Film songs blaring out from the radios.
- Car horns and bicycle bells.
- Vendors shouting out their wares.
III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100–150 words each.
1. Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine
with the Pashupatinath temple.
Answer :
The atmospheres in and around the Baudhnath shrine and the Pashupatinath temple are quite distinct:
Baudhnath Shrine:
- Calm and Quiet: The Baudhnath shrine is characterized by a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The immense white dome of the stupa is surrounded by a ring road, creating a sense of stillness and tranquility.
- Relaxing Environment: There are small shops on the outer edge, but there is no crowd or noise, making it a haven of quietness amidst the busy streets around.
- Spiritual Ambiance: The overall ambiance is meditative and conducive to reflection, with fewer distractions and a more relaxed pace.
Pashupatinath Temple:
- Chaotic and Noisy: In contrast, the Pashupatinath temple is marked by an atmosphere of febrile confusion. The grounds are bustling with priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, and animals like cows, monkeys, pigeons, and dogs.
- Crowded and Disorderly: There is a lot of noise and activity, with people pushing and elbowing each other to get the priest’s attention. The presence of tourists and pilgrims adds to the chaos.
- Vibrant and Lively: The temple area is vibrant and full of life, with various activities happening simultaneously, including religious rituals, fights between monkeys, and the cremation of corpses by the Bagmati River.
2. How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?
Answer : The author describes Kathmandu’s busiest streets as vivid, mercenary, and religious. They are lined with small shrines adorned with flowers. The streets are bustling with fruit sellers, flute sellers, and hawkers of postcards. Shops sell Western cosmetics, film rolls, chocolate, copper utensils, and Nepalese antiques. The air is filled with the sounds of film songs blaring from radios, car horns, bicycle bells, and vendors shouting their wares. Stray cows and other animals add to the chaotic yet vibrant atmosphere.
3. “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why
does the author say this?
Answer : The author says, “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind,” because the sound of the flute transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. It evokes a universal sense of connection and shared human experience. The music of the flute, simple yet profound, resonates with people from all walks of life, reminding them of their shared emotions and humanity.