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I Work in pairs to complete the table on pankha. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
| State | Type of Fan | Material Used |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan | appliqué hand fan | ________________ |
| ________________ | gold thread | |
| temple hand fans | ________________ | |
| Gujarat | mirror work hand fans | ________________ |
| ________________ | beads | |
| ________________ | leather, decorated with thread and wool | |
| West Bengal | sola hand fans | ________________ |
| Uttar Pradesh | ________________ | pure gold, silver zari, silk and satin frills |
| Bihar | ________________ | bamboo |
I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. Over time, pankhas became significant cultural goods distributed through trade routes. They were considered exotic and stylish. Although there was substantial commonality in their use across India, different villages and towns developed their own varieties of traditional pankhas. Each place developed pankhas with distinct materials or a variety of intricate designs, that set them apart from one another.
2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
With time and the advent of technology and innovative creations, the beautiful culture of pankhas runs the risk of slowly losing its presence among Indians. Once made for personal use, over time this handicraft has transformed into a commercial business and now provides some form of livelihood to India's artisans. The slight increase in popularity and demand is significantly factored by the different versions of the pankha being crafted.
1. How does the title 'Winds of Change' capture the essence of the chapter?
1. Answer: The title 'Winds of Change' is a clever pun that refers both to the literal breeze created by a hand fan (pankha) and the historical transformation of the pankha over centuries—from an ancient royal and ritual utility to a threatened traditional craft, and finally into a commercial decorative art form sustaining rural artisans today.
2. Support the following statement with any two relevant examples from the chapter.
'The structure and design of pankhas are testimony to the cultural identity of the region.'
2. Answer: First, Rajasthan's pankhas reflect its royal and religious heritage through ornate zardozi gold threadwork, appliqué fabric patterns, and engraved brass temple fans. Second, Gujarat's hand fans showcase the state's famous beadcraft, mirror work, and Kutch leather embroidery, while West Bengal crafts delicate fans from locally grown sola grass and palm leaves (Tal Patar Pankha).
3. The chapter mentions pankhas running the risk of slowly losing their presence among Indians. Evaluate how the balance between preserving traditional craftsmanship and incorporating innovative designs in the creation of pankhas will help in this regard.
3. Answer: Preserving traditional craftsmanship keeps the authentic heritage, indigenous materials, and regional stories intact, while incorporating innovative designs adapts the fans to modern tastes as wall decor, souvenirs, and aesthetic collectibles. Together, this balance attracts contemporary buyers and ensures the craft remains commercially viable.
4. How might initiatives such as pankha-making workshops contribute to the preservation of this traditional craft?
4. Answer: Pankha-making workshops within and outside handicraft exhibitions educate the public and younger generations about the intricate skill and cultural history behind the craft. They allow artisans to demonstrate their techniques directly, fostering appreciation and expanding the market for handmade fans.
5. The writer mentions celebrating pankhas in the concluding part of the chapter. Assess how this could be beneficial to artisans and the craft.
5. Answer: Celebrating pankhas through exhibitions, cultural festivals, and stories revives public pride in indigenous artistry. It gives contemporary pankha makers visibility, respect, and a commercial platform to earn a sustainable livelihood, preventing the craft from dying out.
6. How does the restriction of the use of pankha for decorative purposes reflect the changing cultural role of these traditional fans in modern India?
6. Answer: While modern electrical appliances have taken over the functional role of cooling, the shift of pankhas to decorative items shows that Indians still value them as symbols of heritage, aesthetic beauty, and traditional identity in modern homes.
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