WINDS OF CHANGE
The chapter “Winds of Change” is about the traditional Indian hand fan called a pankha.
The word pankha comes from the word “pankh”, meaning the feather of a bird. In ancient India, small fans called pankhi were used. Evidence of these fans can even be seen in the Buddhist wall paintings of Ajanta dating back to the 2nd century CE.
In ancient times, pankhas were used in temples to fan deities and in royal courts to fan kings. They were made in different sizes and gradually became important cultural objects traded across India.
Different regions developed their own styles of pankhas using locally available materials such as bamboo, cane, palm leaves, silk, brass, leather and silver. Their designs represented the culture and traditions of the regions where they were made.
For example:
- Rajasthan: appliqué, zardozi, brass temple fans and painted fans.
- Gujarat: mirror-work, beadwork and embroidered fans; Kutch is known for leather fans.
- West Bengal: sola fans and Tal Patar Pankha made from palm leaves.
- Uttar Pradesh: Phadh fans decorated with gold, silver zari, silk and satin.
- Bihar: colourful and strong bamboo fans.
- Tribal communities also make beautiful fans using grass, bamboo, cane, palm leaves and geometrical designs.
With the arrival of modern technology and electric fans, the traditional pankha has lost much of its everyday use. Today, it is mainly used as a decorative and handicraft item.
However, pankha-making has also become a source of livelihood for artisans. New designs, exhibitions and pankha-making workshops can help preserve this traditional craft and make people aware of its cultural importance.
2. हिन्दी में सारांश
“Winds of Change” अध्याय भारत के पारंपरिक हाथ के पंखे यानी पंखा (Pankha) के इतिहास, कला और सांस्कृतिक महत्व के बारे में बताता है।
पंखा शब्द की उत्पत्ति ‘पंख’ शब्द से हुई है, जिसका अर्थ पक्षी का पंख होता है। प्राचीन भारत में छोटे पंखों वाले पंखे को ‘पंखी’ कहा जाता था। अजंता की दूसरी शताब्दी ईस्वी की बौद्ध भित्ति चित्रों में भी पंखी के उपयोग के प्रमाण मिलते हैं।
प्राचीन समय में पंखों का उपयोग मंदिरों में देवी-देवताओं को हवा करने और राजदरबारों में राजाओं को हवा करने के लिए किया जाता था।
समय के साथ भारत के अलग-अलग राज्यों और क्षेत्रों ने अपनी संस्कृति के अनुसार अलग-अलग प्रकार के पंखे बनाने शुरू किए। इन्हें बाँस, बेंत, ताड़ के पत्ते, रेशम, पीतल, चमड़ा और चाँदी जैसी सामग्रियों से बनाया जाता था।
राजस्थान में एप्लीक, ज़रदोज़ी और पीतल के पंखे प्रसिद्ध हैं। गुजरात में शीशे, मोतियों और कढ़ाई वाले पंखे बनाए जाते हैं। पश्चिम बंगाल में सोला और ताड़ के पत्तों से बने Tal Patar Pankha प्रसिद्ध हैं। उत्तर प्रदेश के Phadh पंखे सोने, चाँदी की ज़री, रेशम और साटन से सजाए जाते हैं। बिहार अपने मजबूत और रंगीन बाँस के पंखों के लिए जाना जाता है।
आधुनिक तकनीक और बिजली के पंखों के आने के कारण पारंपरिक हाथ के पंखों का दैनिक उपयोग कम हो गया है। अब इनका उपयोग मुख्य रूप से सजावट और हस्तशिल्प की वस्तुओं के रूप में किया जाता है।
फिर भी पंखा बनाने की कला बहुत से कारीगरों को रोजगार और आजीविका देती है। पंखा बनाने की कार्यशालाएँ, प्रदर्शनियाँ और नए डिज़ाइन इस पारंपरिक कला को बचाने और लोकप्रिय बनाने में सहायता कर सकते हैं।
मुख्य संदेश
हमें आधुनिकता के साथ आगे बढ़ते हुए अपनी पारंपरिक कला, संस्कृति और कारीगरों की विरासत को भी सुरक्षित रखना चाहिए।
3. BACK EXERCISE – CRITICAL REFLECTION
The textbook asks students to interpret extracts about the traditional use of pankhas and their transformation into commercial handicrafts.
Extract 1
(i) Pankhas were one of the most popular items of commerce. True or False?
Answer: False.
The passage only says that pankhas became important cultural goods and were distributed through trade routes. It does not say that they were one of the most popular items of commerce.
(ii) Why has the word ‘traditional’ been used to describe pankhas?
Answer: The word traditional is used because pankhas have been made and used in India for centuries. Different regions developed their own traditional materials, designs and styles.
(iii) “They were considered exotic and stylish” is an opinion and not a fact because ______.
Answer: It is based on people’s personal judgement or taste and cannot be proved as a fact.
(iv) Give one reason for commonality in the use of pankhas across India.
Answer: India has a generally warm climate, so people across the country used pankhas for cooling themselves.
(v) Correct assertion:
Answer: A. Each kind of pankha could be distinguished from the other.
Reason: Different regions used their own local materials and special designs.
4. Extract 2
The second extract explains that technology has reduced the traditional presence of pankhas, while their new designs and commercial demand now provide livelihood to artisans.
(i) Infer one negative impact of technological advancement on pankha.
Answer: Modern technology and electric fans have reduced the everyday use and popularity of traditional pankhas.
(ii) Why does the writer refer to pankhas not just as an object but as a ‘culture’?
Answer: Because pankhas represent India’s traditions, regional art, local materials, craftsmanship and cultural identity.
(iii) Select a line showing how the role of pankha has changed.
Answer:
“Once made for personal use, over time this handicraft has transformed into a commercial business.”
(iv) How can increased demand benefit artisans?
Answer: Increased demand can give artisans more work, better income and a sustainable livelihood.
(v) What factor contributed to the commercialisation of pankhas?
Answer: B. Economic demand
5. SHORT/LONG QUESTION–ANSWERS
The textbook gives six main comprehension questions about the title, regional identity, innovation, workshops, celebration of pankhas, and their modern decorative role.
Q1. How does the title ‘Winds of Change’ capture the essence of the chapter?
Answer: The title shows how the role of pankhas has changed with time. Earlier, they were used for cooling people in homes, temples and royal courts. Today, because of modern technology, they are mainly used as decorative and handicraft items. Thus, the title represents the change from tradition to modern times.
Q2. Give two examples to show that the structure and design of pankhas represent the cultural identity of a region.
Answer:
- Rajasthan’s appliqué fans are made with pieces of colourful fabric and decorative needlework, reflecting its textile tradition.
- Gujarat’s fans use mirror work and colourful beads, reflecting the famous handicraft traditions of Gujarat.
These regional designs make each type of pankha unique.
Q3. How can traditional craftsmanship and innovative designs together help preserve pankhas?
Answer: Traditional methods keep the cultural identity of pankhas alive, while new and attractive designs make them useful and appealing to modern buyers. Combining both can increase their popularity and help preserve the craft.
Q4. How can pankha-making workshops preserve this traditional craft?
Answer: Workshops can teach people how pankhas are made and make them aware of their cultural importance. They can also encourage young people to learn the craft and help artisans display their skills.
Q5. How can celebrating pankhas benefit artisans and the craft?
Answer: Celebrating pankhas through exhibitions, fairs and workshops can make more people aware of this traditional art. It can increase demand, provide artisans with income and help preserve the craft for future generations.
Q6. How does the decorative use of pankhas show their changing cultural role?
Answer: Earlier, pankhas were practical objects used for cooling. Today, electric fans and other technology have replaced them for this purpose. Therefore, pankhas are now mainly valued as decorative objects and symbols of traditional Indian art and culture.
6. VOCABULARY AND STRUCTURES IN CONTEXT
I. Classify the word pairs
| Appearance | Place | Material |
|---|---|---|
| exotic and stylish | villages and towns | thread and wool |
| ornate and encrusted | within and outside | silk and brass |
II. Fixed Expressions
Correct word pairs
- high and dry
- cut and run
- facts and figures
- all and sundry
- wear and tear
- time and again
- thick and thin
Match with meanings
(i) In a difficult situation without help or money — high and dry
(ii) Damage caused by normal use — wear and tear
(iii) Accurate and detailed information — facts and figures
(iv) Even when there are problems or difficulties — through thick and thin
(v) Everyone, not just a few people — all and sundry
(vi) Often / repeatedly — time and again
(vii) To make a quick or sudden escape — cut and run
These fixed-expression and collocation activities appear in the chapter’s vocabulary section.
7. COLLOCATIONS
Choose the correct words
(i) The students have to take the English exam tomorrow.
(ii) The interviewer asked the candidate to have a seat.
(iii) My scooter ran into a car.
(iv) I must take responsibility for my success.
(v) I would like to improve my grammar.
8. PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
Underline/identify the verbs
- have become
- have worked
- have adopted
- has transformed
Fill in the blanks
(i) Puppeteers have created intricate characters and captivating stories.
(ii) They have mastered the delicate movements.
(iii) Puppetry has evolved over the years.
(iv) Many puppeteers have passed down their craft through generations.
(v) They have performed in theatres, on television and at festivals.
THE LAST LEAF – SUMMARY WITH HINDI TRANSLATION
Easy English Summary
“The Last Leaf” by O. Henry is a story about hope, friendship, sacrifice and the power of art.
Sue and Johnsy are two young artists who live together. Johnsy becomes seriously ill with pneumonia. She loses hope and believes that she will die when the last leaf on an ivy creeper outside her window falls.
Sue tries to encourage her, but Johnsy continues watching the falling leaves.
Their elderly neighbour, Behrman, is a painter who has always dreamed of creating a masterpiece. When he learns about Johnsy’s belief, he decides to help her.
During a cold and stormy night, the real last leaf falls. Behrman secretly paints a realistic leaf on the wall. The next morning, Johnsy sees that the “last leaf” is still there despite the storm.
The leaf gives her hope. She realises that she was wrong to give up on life and begins to recover.
However, Behrman becomes ill with pneumonia after working outside in the storm and dies. Sue later tells Johnsy that the leaf she had been watching was actually Behrman’s masterpiece.
His painting saved Johnsy’s life, but he sacrificed his own life while creating it. The story ends by showing the great power of hope, love, art and self-sacrifice. The PDF describes Johnsy’s belief that she would die with the last falling leaf and Behrman’s lifelong wish to paint a masterpiece.
हिन्दी सारांश
“The Last Leaf” – O. Henry आशा, मित्रता, त्याग और कला की शक्ति पर आधारित कहानी है।
Sue और Johnsy दो युवा चित्रकार हैं जो एक साथ रहती हैं। Johnsy को निमोनिया हो जाता है और वह बहुत बीमार पड़ जाती है। वह जीने की इच्छा खो देती है।
उसकी खिड़की के बाहर एक आइवी बेल होती है। Johnsy सोचती है कि जिस दिन उस बेल का आखिरी पत्ता गिर जाएगा, उसी दिन वह भी मर जाएगी।
Sue उसे समझाने की बहुत कोशिश करती है, लेकिन Johnsy अपनी सोच नहीं बदलती।
उनका पड़ोसी Behrman एक बूढ़ा चित्रकार है। उसका सपना जीवन में एक महान चित्र यानी masterpiece बनाने का है।
एक तूफानी रात असली आखिरी पत्ता गिर जाता है। लेकिन Behrman ठंड और बारिश में बाहर जाकर दीवार पर एक ऐसा पत्ता बना देता है जो बिल्कुल असली लगता है।
अगली सुबह Johnsy देखती है कि भयंकर तूफान के बाद भी आखिरी पत्ता नहीं गिरा। उसे उस पत्ते से जीने की प्रेरणा मिलती है। वह समझती है कि उसे जीवन से हार नहीं माननी चाहिए और धीरे-धीरे ठीक होने लगती है।
लेकिन ठंडी और तूफानी रात में बाहर चित्र बनाने के कारण Behrman को निमोनिया हो जाता है और उसकी मृत्यु हो जाती है।
अंत में Sue बताती है कि वह आखिरी पत्ता असली नहीं था, बल्कि Behrman द्वारा बनाया गया चित्र था।
वही चित्र उसकी masterpiece बना क्योंकि उसने Johnsy के जीवन में आशा जगाई और उसकी जान बचाई।
Moral / शिक्षा
Never lose hope. Hope can give us the strength to live and overcome difficulties.
हमें कभी आशा नहीं छोड़नी चाहिए। सच्ची मित्रता, प्रेम और त्याग किसी के जीवन को बदल सकते हैं।