Chapter 18. Kathmandu
NCERT Solution:
I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.
Q1. Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.
Ans: Pashupatinath and Baudhnath Stupa are such two temples the auther visited in Kathmandu.
Q2. The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’
refer to?
Ans: Com-on-the-cob and marzipan.
Q3. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?
Ans:
Q4. Name five kinds of flutes.
Ans:
II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.
Q1. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other
hawkers?
Ans: The author finds a difference in selling the articles. The flute seller does not shout out his wares. He makes a sale in a curiously offhanded way as if this was incidental to his enterprise.
Q2. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?
Ans: People believe that when a small shrine emerges fully on Bagwati river, the goddess inside will escape, and the evil period of the Kalyug will end on earth.
Q3. 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
Ans:
(i) The author describes the monkey’s fight vividly and graphically. A fight breaks out between two monkeys. One chases the other, who jumps onto a shivalinga, then runs screaming around the temples and down to the river.
(ii) The author observes a princess of the Nepalese royal house. Everyone bows to her. He sees monkeys. He sees felt bags, Tibetan prints and silver jewellery. He looks at flute sellers, hawkers of postcards, shops selling western cosmetics, etc.
(iii) He hears film songs from the radios, car horns, bicycle bells, stray cows low and vendors shout 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.
Q1. Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.
Ans: At Pashupatinath there is an atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’. Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs roam through the grounds. There are so many worshippers that some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside by others pushing their way to the front. At the Baudhnath stupa, the Buddhist shrine of Kathmandu, there is a sense of stillness. Its immense white dome is ringed by a road. Small shops stand on its outer edge. Most of the shops are owned by Tibetan immigrants. There are no crowds and this is a haven of quietness in the busy streets around.
Q2. How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?
Ans: The author says this because he is aware of the fact that music appeals to senses. It gives pleasure to every listener. The flute seller does not sell only one kind of flute. He has various types of flutes that represent different customs and culture. The flute seller is a wise sales person. He does not shout out his wares. He plays melodious tunes which fascinate others. Mankind does not have multiple appearances and shapes. It is universal and cosmopolitan. Music soothes everyone’s heart irrespective of their caste, colour and creed. So the author says that to hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.
Q3. “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?
