ENGLISH CLASS- 9
CHAPTER-3
(Winds of Change)
Winds of Change – Critical Reflection
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1(i) State whether the following sentence is true or false.
Pankhas were one of the most popular items of commerce.
Answer: True
The passage states that pankhas became significant cultural goods distributed through trade routes, indicating that they were important commercial items.
1(ii) Why has the word ‘traditional’ been used to describe pankhas?
The word ‘traditional’ has been used because pankhas have been used in India for centuries and are closely connected with the cultural practices, customs, and heritage of different regions.
1(iii) Complete the following statement.
The sentence ‘They were considered exotic and stylish’ is an opinion and not a fact because different people may have different views about whether pankhas are exotic and stylish.
1(iv) Infer one reason for commonality in the use of pankhas across India.
One reason for the common use of pankhas across India is that they provided a simple and effective way to keep people cool in the hot climate before the arrival of electric fans.
1(v) Select which one of the two statements is the correct assertion for the given reason.
Reason: Pankhas were made of indigenous materials, unique to the region, with elaborate designs.
Answer: A. Each kind of pankha could be distinguished from the other.
The use of different local materials and designs made every regional pankha unique.
2(i) Infer one negative impact of technological advancement on pankha.
One negative impact is that the use of traditional pankhas has decreased significantly because electric fans and modern cooling devices have replaced them in daily life.
2(ii) Complete the statement with an appropriate reason.
The writer refers to ‘pankhas’ not just as an object but as a ‘culture’ because they represent the traditions, craftsmanship, artistic heritage, and identity of different regions of India.
2(iii) Select a line from the extract which depicts how the role of the pankha has changed over the years.
“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.”
2(iv) List one way in which the increase in demand of pankhas might benefit artisans.
An increase in demand provides artisans with more employment opportunities and helps them earn a stable income from their craft.
2(v) Select the factor that has contributed to the commercialisation of pankhas.
Answer: B. economic demand
The growing demand for decorative and handcrafted pankhas has helped transform them into commercial products.
II. Answer the following questions.
1. How does the title ‘Winds of Change’ capture the essence of the chapter?
The title ‘Winds of Change’ effectively captures the transformation in the role and significance of pankhas over time. Traditionally, pankhas were everyday objects used for cooling and comfort. However, with technological advancements and the introduction of electric fans, their practical use declined. At the same time, they evolved into decorative craft items and sources of livelihood for artisans. The title symbolises both the literal movement of air created by pankhas and the changing social, cultural, and economic circumstances surrounding this traditional craft.
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.”
The chapter provides several examples that show how pankhas reflect regional culture. Firstly, the appliqué hand fans of Rajasthan are decorated with colourful fabric patterns and ornamental needlework, representing Rajasthan’s rich artistic traditions. Secondly, the mirror-work hand fans of Gujarat display the famous embroidery and mirror craft for which the state is known. These examples demonstrate how local materials, artistic styles, and cultural practices influence the design of pankhas.
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.
A balance between traditional craftsmanship and innovation is essential for preserving the relevance of pankhas. Traditional methods ensure that the cultural heritage and artistic skills associated with pankha-making are not lost. At the same time, innovative designs can attract modern consumers and create new markets. By combining traditional techniques with contemporary styles, artisans can appeal to younger generations while maintaining authenticity. Such an approach helps sustain demand, preserve cultural identity, and ensure that the craft remains economically viable.
4. How might initiatives such as pankha-making workshops contribute to the preservation of this traditional craft?
Pankha-making workshops play an important role in preserving the craft by creating awareness among people about its cultural and artistic value. These workshops provide opportunities for artisans to demonstrate their skills and teach traditional techniques to others. They encourage young people to appreciate and learn the craft, ensuring that knowledge is passed to future generations. Workshops also help artisans gain recognition and connect with potential buyers, thereby supporting their livelihoods.
5. The writer mentions celebrating pankhas in the concluding part of the chapter. Assess how this could be beneficial to artisans and the craft.
Celebrating pankhas can increase public appreciation for this traditional art form and generate greater interest among consumers. Such recognition helps artisans showcase their craftsmanship and attract more customers. Increased awareness can lead to higher sales and better economic opportunities for artisans. Additionally, celebrating pankhas encourages people to value cultural heritage and supports efforts to preserve traditional skills that might otherwise disappear.
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?
The shift of pankhas from practical household items to decorative objects reflects changing lifestyles and technological progress in modern India. Electric fans and air-conditioning systems have replaced the traditional function of pankhas. However, rather than disappearing completely, pankhas have acquired a new role as cultural artefacts and decorative handicrafts. This change highlights how traditional objects can adapt to modern times while continuing to preserve cultural identity and artistic heritage.
Canvas of Soil – Critical Reflection
I. Read the given extracts from the poem and answer the questions that follow.
1(i) The poet has used a metaphor in ‘Brushstrokes of seeds’. Which option uses a metaphor?
Answer: B. She has a heart of gold.
This is a metaphor because the person's heart is directly compared to gold, suggesting kindness and goodness.
1(ii) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The phrase ‘planted true’ is significant because it implies that the seeds have been sown carefully, sincerely, and with hope for healthy growth.
1(iii) Why has the poet used the word ‘hue’ instead of ‘colours’ in the extract?
The word ‘hue’ refers to a particular shade or tint of colour. The poet uses it to create a more vivid and artistic image of spring, emphasizing the beauty and variety of colours that appear when flowers bloom.
1(iv) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word from the extract.
Summer : hot :: Spring : vibrant
1(v) Read the Assertion (A) and the Reason (R) and select the correct option.
Answer: B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Gardeners wait for spring because it is the season when seeds grow and flowers bloom. Although gardens are beautiful in spring, that is not the main reason gardeners wait for it.
2(i) What does ‘Each plot’ refer to in this extract?
‘Each plot’ refers to every piece or section of land in a garden where plants, flowers, or seeds are grown.
2(ii) Select which option imitates the rhyme scheme of the extract.
Answer: A.
beautiful and clear
laughter and cheer
Both lines end with rhyming words clear and cheer, similar to the poem's rhyme pattern.
2(iii) Select the line from the extract that conveys that gardening blends aesthetic beauty with natural growth.
“Where art and life coincide.”
This line shows how artistic creativity and natural growth come together in a garden.
2(iv) Complete the following sentence appropriately.
The plot is likened to a canvas suggesting that a garden serves as a space where creativity, imagination, and nature combine to create beauty.
2(v) Why has the poet most likely used the word ‘wide’ instead of ‘long’ in ‘canvas wide’?
The word ‘wide’ highlights the vastness and openness of the garden. It helps readers imagine a large space full of creative possibilities, making the comparison with a painter’s canvas more effective.
II. Give reasons for the comparisons made by the poet in the poem.
1. A painter is compared to a gardener because ____________.
A painter is compared to a gardener because both create beauty through creativity, patience, and careful effort. A painter uses colours while a gardener uses plants and flowers.
2. A palette is like earth as ____________.
A palette is like earth as both serve as the base from which beautiful creations emerge. Just as a painter mixes colours on a palette, plants grow and flourish in the earth.
3. The brushstrokes are like seeds because ____________.
The brushstrokes are like seeds because both represent the beginning of a creative process. Brushstrokes create a painting, while seeds grow into beautiful flowers and plants.
4. A canvas is similar to a garden plot as ____________.
A canvas is similar to a garden plot as both provide space for creativity and artistic expression. A painter creates art on a canvas, while a gardener creates beauty in a garden plot.
III. Answer the following questions.
1. How does the metaphor ‘Brushstrokes of seeds’ enhance the understanding of gardening as an art form?
The metaphor ‘Brushstrokes of seeds’ compares a gardener’s act of sowing seeds to an artist applying brushstrokes on a canvas. This comparison elevates gardening from a simple agricultural activity to a creative art form. Just as an artist carefully plans and creates a painting, a gardener thoughtfully plants seeds to create a beautiful garden. The metaphor helps readers appreciate the skill, imagination, and creativity involved in gardening.
2. What can you infer about the poet’s perspective on the relationship between nature and creativity from the lines ‘Each plot, a canvas wide,/ Where art and life coincide’?
The poet believes that nature and creativity are closely connected. According to the poet, a garden is not merely a collection of plants but a living artwork created through human effort and natural growth. The gardener acts like an artist, while nature provides the colours, shapes, and beauty. These lines suggest that creativity flourishes when humans work in harmony with nature, producing something meaningful and beautiful.
3. Do you think the imagery in the poem successfully paints a vivid picture in the reader’s mind? Give reasons.
Yes, the imagery in the poem successfully creates vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. The poet uses words such as palette, brushstrokes, blossoms, shades of green, red and blue, canvas, and morning light to help readers visualise a colourful and lively garden. These images appeal to the senses and make the garden appear like a beautiful painting. As a result, readers can easily imagine the beauty and freshness of nature.
4. Support the view that the poet’s mention of the colour yellow, besides red, blue and green, would have lent effectively to the imagery.
The inclusion of yellow would have strengthened the imagery because yellow is commonly associated with sunlight, happiness, and flowers such as sunflowers and marigolds. Along with red, blue, and green, yellow would create a richer and more vibrant colour palette. It would add warmth and brightness to the visual picture, making the garden appear even more lively and attractive.
5. Considering the line ‘Gardens become paintings still’, what can you interpret about the poet’s view on the timelessness of nature’s beauty?
The line suggests that nature’s beauty remains enduring and timeless. Even though seasons change, gardens continue to inspire admiration just like a beautiful painting. The poet believes that the beauty created through the combination of nature and human effort can be appreciated across generations. Thus, gardens become lasting works of art that preserve beauty and inspiration over time.
6. Justify the title of the poem, ‘Canvas of Soil’.
The title ‘Canvas of Soil’ is highly appropriate because the poem compares a garden to a painting. The soil functions like a canvas on which gardeners create beauty by planting seeds, nurturing flowers, and arranging plants. Through their creativity and hard work, ordinary soil is transformed into a colourful masterpiece. The title effectively captures the poem’s central idea that gardening is an art form where nature and creativity come together to produce beauty.