Kathmandu
Here’s a summary of the chapter “Kathmandu” from your 9th standard English subject, likely from the textbook “Beehive”:
Setting and Introduction:
- The chapter is an excerpt from the book “Heaven Lake” by Vikram Seth.
- It describes the author’s visit to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
- Seth is on a long journey from China to India, passing through Nepal and Tibet.
The Two Temples:
- The focus is on the author’s experiences at two significant temples in Kathmandu.
- Pashupatinath Temple: This is a Hindu pilgrimage site, and entry is restricted to Hindus only.
- The author observes a chaotic scene with priests, tourists, pilgrims, hawkers, and animals roaming around.
- The holy Bagmati River is described as polluted due to bathing, washing clothes, and discarding flowers.
- Bauddhanath Stupa: This is a sacred shrine for Buddhists.
- The atmosphere is described as calm and serene, contrasting with the chaos at Pashupatinath.
- The stupa has a huge white dome, and there are small shops selling Tibetan goods around the premises.
Cultural Contrast:
- The chapter highlights the contrast between the two religious sites and the surrounding areas.
- Pashupatinath represents a bustling Hindu pilgrimage site, while Bauddhanath offers a more peaceful Buddhist environment.
Possible Themes:
- Religious diversity in Nepal
- Importance of pilgrimage sites
- Maintaining the sanctity of religious places
- Contrast between bustling city life and serene spiritual spaces
Thinking about The Text
1. On the following map mark out the route, which the author thought of but did not take, to Delhi.
Ans :
- Kathmandu to Patna by bus & train
- Patna to Allaha bad by boat/Ganges
- Allahabad to Delhi by boat/Yamuna
2.Find out the possible routes (by rail, road or air) from Kathmandu to New Delhi/ Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai.
Ans :
Air: This is the fastest and most convenient option. There are regular flights from Kathmandu to all four Indian cities. The flight time to New Delhi is around 1 hour 15 minutes, to Mumbai is around 2 hours 30 minutes, to Kolkata is around 2 hours 15 minutes, and to Chennai is around 3 hours 15 minutes. You can find and book flights using websites like Skyscanner, MakeMyTrip, or directly with airlines.
Road and Rail: This option is more time-consuming but can be more budget-friendly. You can take a bus from Kathmandu to various border towns near India, such as Birgunj or Sunauli. From there, you can take a train to your destination city in India. The total travel time can vary depending on the border crossing, road conditions, and train connections.
I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.
1. Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.
Ans :
Pashupatinath Temple: This is a Hindu pilgrimage site restricted to Hindus only.
Bauddhanath Stupa: This is a sacred shrine for Buddhists.
2. writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’ refer to?
Ans : Com-on-the-cob and marzipan.
3. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?
Ans : The flutes are fastened to the top of the flute seller’s pole.
4. Name five kinds of flutes.
Ans :
Western Concert Flute: This is the most well-known type of flute in Western classical music. It has a cylindrical bore and keys for chromatic playing.
Recorder: A popular woodwind instrument with a fipple (a mouthpiece with a block that directs the airflow) and a narrower bore than the concert flute. Recorders come in various sizes, from the high-pitched sopranino to the deep bass recorder.
Irish Flute: A wooden flute with a simple design and a mellow tone. It is traditionally used in Irish folk music.
Shakuhachi: A Japanese bamboo flute known for its rich and expressive sound. It has five holes and is played vertically.
Bansuri: A north Indian flute made from bamboo. It has six or seven finger holes and is known for its breathy tone, often used in Hindustani classical music.
II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.
1. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?
Ans : The author observes a difference in how articles are sold. The flute seller doesn’t shout out his wares but instead makes sales in a curiously casual manner, as if selling is just a secondary aspect of his business.
2. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?
Ans : A small shrine, half-protruding from the stone platform on the banks of the Bagmati River, will fully emerge.
3. The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples each of
- the atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath (for example: some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside…)
- the things he sees
- the sounds he hears
Ans :
1. The author vividly and graphically describes a fight between two monkeys. One monkey chases the other, which leaps onto a shivalinga, then runs screaming around the temples before heading down to the river.
2. The author observes a princess of the Nepalese royal house, noting how everyone bows to her. He also sees monkeys, felt bags, Tibetan prints, and silver jewelry. Additionally, he notices flute sellers, postcard hawkers, and shops selling Western cosmetics, among other things.
3. He hears film songs playing from radios, car horns honking, bicycle bells ringing, stray cows lowing, and vendors shouting out their wares. He also listens to the various flutes played by the flute seller.
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.
Ans : The atmosphere around Pashupatinath pulsates with “febrile confusion.” Devotees jostle for the priest’s attention, hawkers call out, and animals roam freely – a chaotic mix of commerce and religion. In stark contrast, the Baudhnath shrine offers a haven of peace. A serene white dome dominates the landscape, surrounded by a quiet lane with a few shops. The absence of crowds creates a sense of stillness, perfect for reflection and prayer.
2.How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?
Ans : The author describes Kathmandu’s busiest streets as a sensory overload, using vivid imagery to capture the chaos. Here’s a breakdown:
- Visual: Narrow streets packed with people, small shrines with flower-adorned deities, shops selling everything from Western cosmetics to copper utensils.
- Auditory: A cacophony of sounds – blaring film songs from radios, car horns, bicycle bells, vendors shouting their wares, and the stray cries of cows.
- Olfactory: The text might not explicitly mention smells, but the bustling market scene implies a mix of aromas – incense used in rituals, spices from food vendors, and dust from the crowded streets.
3. “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?
Ans : The author suggests that hearing a flute, regardless of its origin, draws us closer to a shared human experience. Flutes, in various forms, exist across cultures, creating a musical connection through history. The melody and often peaceful nature of the flute’s sound can evoke similar emotions in people from diverse backgrounds. This shared emotional response to music transcends cultural barriers, reminding us of our underlying human connection. In its simplicity, the flute’s music allows us to focus on the core message, uniting us through the beauty of sound.
Thinking about language
1. Read the following sentences carefully to understand the meaning of the italicised phrases. Then match the phrasal verbs in column A with their meanings in column B.
- A communal war broke out when the princess was abducted by the neighbouring prince.
- The cockpit broke off from the plane during the plane crash.
- The car broke down on the way and we were left stranded in the jungle.
- The dacoit broke away from the police as they took him to court.
- The brothers broke up after the death of the father.
- The thief broke into our house when we were away.
| A | B |
| (i) break out | (a) to come apart due to force |
| (ii) break off | (b) end a relationship |
| (iii) break down | (c) break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing |
| (iv) break away (from someone) | (d) to start suddenly, (usually a fight, a war or a disease) |
| (v) break up | (e) to escape from someone’s grip |
| (vi) break into | (f) stop working |
Ans :
| A | B |
| (i) break out | (d) to start suddenly, (usually a fight, a war or a disease) |
| (ii) break off | (a) to come apart due to force |
| (iii) break down | (f) stop working |
| (iv) break away (from someone) | (b) end a relationship |
| (v) break up | (e) to escape from someone’s grip |
| (vi) break into | (c) break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing |
Ans :
II.
1.Use the suffixes -ion or -tion to form nouns from the following verbs. Make the necessary changes in the spellings of the words.
Example: proclaim-proclamation
Ans :
- Cremation
- Action
- Exhausation
- Invention
- Temptation
- Immigration
- Direction
- Meditation
- Imagination
- Dislocation
- Association
- Dedication
2. Now fill in the blanks with suitable words from the ones that you have formed.
- Mass literacy was possible only after the of the ……….. printing machine.
- Ramesh is unable to tackle the situation as he lacks ………..
- I could not resist the ……….. to open the letter.
- Hardwork and ……….. are the main keys to success.
- The children were almost fainting with ……….. after being made to stand in the sun.
Ans :
- invention
- direction
- temptation
- dedication
- exhaustion
III. Punctuation
Use capital letters, full stops, question marks, commas and inverted commas wherever necessary in the following para-graph.
an arrogant lion was wandering through the jungle one day he asked the tiger who is stronger than you you O lion replied the tiger who is more fierce than a leopard asked the lion you sir replied the leopard he marched upto an elephant and asked the same question the elephant picked him up in his trunk swung him in the air and threw him down look said the lion there is no need to get mad just because you don’t know the answer
Ans : An arrogant lion was wandering through the jungle one day. He asked the tiger, “Who is stronger than you?” “You, O lion,” replied the tiger.
“Who is more fierce than a leopard?” asked the lion. “You, sir,” replied the leopard.
He marched up to an elephant and asked the same question. The elephant picked him up in its trunk, swung him in the air, and threw him down. “Look,” said the lion, “there is no need to get mad just because you don’t know the answer.”
IV. Simple Present Tense
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
(i) The heart is a pump that …………. (send) the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action …………. (take place) when the left ventricle of the heart …………. (contract). This …………. (force) the blood out into the arteries, which …………. (expand) to receive the on coming blood.
(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought it ………… (dig) a pit and ………… (enclose) itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule ………… (dry) and ………… (harden), but when rain ………… (come), the mud ………… (dissolve) and the lungfish (swim) ………… away.
(iii) Mahesh : We have to organise a class party for our teacher. ………… (Do) anyone play an instrument?
Vipul : Rohit ………… (play) the flute.
Mahesh : ………… (Do) he also act ?
Vipul : No, he ………… (compose) music.
Mahesh : That’s wonderful!
Ans :
(i) The heart is a pump that sends (send) the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action takes place (take place) when the left ventricle of the heart contracts (contract). This forces (force) the blood out into the arteries, which expand (expand) to receive the oncoming blood.
(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought, it digs (dig) a pit and encloses (enclose) itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule dries (dry) and hardens (harden), but when rain comes (come), the mud dissolves (dissolve) and the lungfish swims (swim) away.
(iii) Mahesh: We have to organize a class party for our teacher. Does (Do) anyone play an instrument? Vipul: Rohit plays (play) the flute. Mahesh: Does (Do) he also act? Vipul: No, he composes (compose) music. Mahesh: That’s wonderful!
Speaking
1. Discuss in class the shrines you have visited or know about. Speak about one of them.
Ans :
Hi everyone,
Today I’d like to talk about a shrine I visited recently
I recently had the opportunity to visit the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. It’s a beautiful Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. I went there because I was interested in learning more about Japanese culture and religion. The shrine itself was very peaceful, with a serene atmosphere created by the surrounding gardens. I found the traditional Shinto rituals fascinating, especially the way worshippers cleanse their hands before entering the main hall.
2. Imagine you are giving an eyewitness account or a running commentary of one of the following:
- a game of football, cricket or hockey, or some sports event
- a parade (e.g. Republic Day) or some other national event
Speak a few sentences narrating what you see and hear. Use the simple present and the present continuous tenses. For example:
- He passes the ball but Ben gets in the way…
- These brave soldiers guard our frontiers. They display their skills here
Ans :
The crowd is absolutely electric here at Lord’s! India needs just 12 runs from the last 2 overs to win this historic match against England. Virat Kohli is on strike, and Jofra Archer steams in for the crucial delivery. The tension is thick enough to cut with a knife!
1st Ball: Archer bowls a fiery bouncer! Kohli ducks just in time, the ball whistles past his ear. The crowd lets out a collective gasp!
2nd Ball: A yorker! Archer aims for the stumps, but Kohli digs it out for a single. Rohit Sharma, the non-striker, takes the strike now. The pressure is immense!
3rd Ball: A wide delivery! Archer loses his composure slightly. The crowd erupts in cheers, a much-needed release of tension. This gives India 1 run and keeps Rohit on strike.
4th Ball: Rohit swings! He connects beautifully with a short delivery, the ball sails over the midwicket boundary for SIX! The crowd goes berserk! India now needs just 5 runs from 10 balls. This is getting very exciting!
Writing
1. Diary entry for a travelogue
The text you read is a travelogue where the author, Vikram Seth, talks about his visit to two sacred places in Kathmandu.
Imagine that you were with Vikram Seth on his visit to Pashupatinath temple, and you were noting down all that you saw and did there, so that you could write a travelogue later.
Record in point form
- what you see when you reach the Pashupatinath temple
- what you see happening inside the temple
- what you do when inside the temple
- what you see outside the temple
- what your impressions are about the place.
Ans :
19th August, 2022
Dear Diary,
Today, I am pleased to write about my visit to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu with Vikram Seth. The visit was indeed exciting, although there was quite a bit of commotion at the temple. I saw crowds of priests, hawkers, devotees, and tourists. We offered a few flowers to God. Inside the temple, I observed numerous worshippers trying to get the priest’s attention, with some being elbowed aside by others pushing their way to the front.
Outside the temple, I saw a group of saffron-clad Westerners struggling to gain permission to enter. The policeman did not allow them in because they were not Hindus.
There is no doubt that the place is worth visiting. We felt an aesthetic satisfaction by visiting such a religious site.
Nishant
2. Here is your diary entry when you visited Agra. Read the points and try to write a travelogue describing your visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal. You may add more details. January 2003—rise before dawn—take the Shatabdi Express at 6.15 am from Delhi— meet a newly-married couple on train— talk about Himachal Pradesh—get off the train—enter the once-grand city, Agra— twisted alleys—traffic dense—rickshaws, cars, people—vendors selling religious artifacts, plastic toys, spices and sweets—go to the Taj Mahal—constructed entirely of white marble—magical quality—colour changes with varying of light and shadow— marble with gemstones inside—reflection of the Taj Mahal in the pond—school-children, tourists—tourist guides following people.
Ans : A pre-dawn dash to Delhi, a train ride filled with honeymoon tales, and then Agra. Bustling streets, vendors hawking wares – the prelude to a magical sight. The Taj Mahal! White marble shimmered, changing hues with the light. Gemstones winked from its facade, reflected perfectly in the still pool. Tourists and children marveled, guided whispers filled the air. A monument, a love story, a timeless legacy. Agra’s magic, forever etched in my memory.
A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal
The poem “A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal” by William Wordsworth explores the speaker’s grief and acceptance after the death of his beloved, Lucy. Here’s a summary:
- Deep Sleep: The poem starts with a metaphor. The speaker describes his spirit being sealed by a slumber, suggesting a state of numbness and denial after Lucy’s death.
- Ignorance of Death: This initial slumber implies the speaker wasn’t aware of the harsh realities of life and death. He might have taken Lucy’s presence for granted and never imagined losing her.
- Gradual Awakening: As the poem progresses, the speaker seems to awaken from this deep sleep. This might symbolize the beginning of accepting Lucy’s death.
- Nature’s Comfort: The speaker finds solace in nature – the moon and the stars. These elements become symbols of a peaceful and enduring presence, offering comfort amidst his grief.
- Acceptance (not in all interpretations): While some interpretations suggest a gradual acceptance of Lucy’s absence, others view the poem’s ending as ambiguous. The speaker might still be grappling with the loss, but nature provides a sense of calm and perspective.
Key Points:
- The poem deals with themes of grief, loss, and the healing power of nature.
- The speaker’s emotional journey is reflected in the imagery and metaphors used.
- The poem’s ending leaves room for interpretation regarding the speaker’s final state of acceptance.
Thinking about the poem
1. “A slumber did my spirit seal”, says the poet. That is, a deep sleep ‘closed off’ his soul (or mind). How does the poet react to his loved one’s death? Does he feel deep sense of grief? Or does he feel a great peace?
Ans : The speaker in “A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal” starts numb (“slumber”), possibly in denial. He may not show outward grief, but nature offers comfort as he grapples with loss. The poem leaves the final state of acceptance ambiguous.
2. The passing of time will no longer affect her, says the poet. Which lines of the poem say this?
Ans :
“She seemed a thing that could not feel
The touch of earthly years.”
3. How does the poet imagine her to be, after death? Does he think of her as a person living in a very happy state (a ‘heaven’)? Or does he see her now as a part of nature? In which lines of the poem do you find your answer?Ans : The poet envisions her as an integral part of nature. However, he doesn’t believe she is a lifeless entity, as indicated by the line, “Rolled round in earth’s diurnal course / With rocks and stones and trees.”
