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Winds of Change

NCERT Class 9 · English Based on NCERT Class 9 English textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter explores the rich cultural heritage of traditional hand fans (pankhas) in India, tracing their historical significance, regional variations, and the materials used in their creation. It highlights how these artefacts reflect the cultural identity of different regions and the craftsmanship of local artisans. The chapter also addresses the challenges posed by modern technology and commercialisation, emphasising the need to preserve this traditional craft through initiatives like workshops and exhibitions. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that traditional crafts like pankha-making are not just objects but living cultural expressions that require active preservation and appreciation.
Key Concepts (20)
Pankha/Punkha
A term derived from the word 'pankh' meaning feather of a bird, used to refer to all fans in India.
e.g. In ancient India, pankhas were used in temples to fan deities and in royal courts to fan kings.
Pankhi
A small plumed fan used in ancient India, evidence of which can be found in Buddhist wall paintings at Ajanta dating back to the 2nd century CE.
e.g. The pankhi is a smaller, plumed version of the pankha, often depicted in ancient art.
Indigenous
Local; originating from a particular place or region.
e.g. Gujarat has its own indigenous take on pankhas, such as cotton-based fans with mirror work.
Innovative
New and original in approach; creative.
e.g. Each indigenous artefact at the crafts fair was an innovative creation of industrious craftspersons.
Industrious
Hardworking; diligent.
e.g. Gujarat's industrious home-based women workers have worked tirelessly in pankha-making.
Intricate
Elaborate; detailed; complex.
e.g. Each place developed pankhas with distinct materials or a variety of intricate designs.
Invoked
Brought out; evoked; called forth.
e.g. The artefacts invoked a sense of respect for the initiatives taken by the government.
Initiatives
Actions taken to improve a situation; steps or measures.
e.g. Initiatives such as pankha-making workshops help spread awareness about the craft.
Encrusted
Covered or decorated with a hard surface layer, often with gems or gold.
e.g. The zardozi hand fan of Rajasthan uses glittering ornate and encrusted gold threadwork.
Sola
A type of water grass whose milky-white spongy centre is used to make delicate pankhas in Bengal.
e.g. Artisans in Bengal make delicate pankhas from the beautiful milky-white spongy centre of the sola.
Perpetually
Constantly; continuously; always.
e.g. Palm leaf hand fans are perpetually kept as an article of possession in Bengali households.
Antiquity
The distant past; ancient times.
e.g. The large palm leaf fans of Odisha and Bihar's bamboo hand fans are recognised across India due to their antiquity and rarity.
Advent
Arrival; the coming of something important.
e.g. With the advent of technology and innovative creations, the culture of pankhas runs the risk of losing its presence.
Appliqué
A technique where pieces of fabric in different shapes and patterns are sewn onto another cloth with ornamental needlework.
e.g. The appliqué hand fan of Rajasthan is made of pieces of fabric sewn onto another cloth.
Zardozi
A type of embroidery using gold thread, often ornate and encrusted.
e.g. The zardozi hand fan of Rajasthan differs in its use of glittering ornate and encrusted gold threadwork.
Tal Patar Pankha
The local name for palm leaf hand fans in Bengal.
e.g. The palm leaf hand fans in Bengal are locally referred to as Tal Patar Pankha.
Phadh hand fans
Hand fans from Uttar Pradesh adorned with pure gold, silver zari, silk, and satin frills.
e.g. The Phadh hand fans of Uttar Pradesh are adorned with pure gold, silver zari, silk, and satin frills.
Collocations
Conventional combinations of words that are commonly used together, such as 'sustainable livelihood' or 'aesthetically pleasing'.
e.g. The phrase 'appreciating the culture' is a collocation from the text.
Present Perfect Tense
A verb tense used to describe past actions that have relevance to the present or are recently completed, formed with 'have/has' + past participle.
e.g. In the sentence 'Pankhas have become traditional craft items', 'have become' is in the present perfect tense.
Allegory
A literary device used to express larger ideas than those presented without explicitly stating them, operating on two levels—surface meaning and deeper meaning.
e.g. In the poem 'Canvas of Soil', the garden could symbolise life's journey and growth.
How It Works
Evolution of Pankha from Ancient to Modern Times
  1. Step 1: In ancient times, pankhas were used in temples to fan deities and in royal courts to fan kings, varying in size from tiny two-inch ones to large ones requiring full arm strength.
  2. Step 2: Over time, pankhas became significant cultural goods distributed through trade routes, considered exotic and stylish.
  3. Step 3: Different villages and towns developed their own varieties using distinct materials like bamboo, cane, palm leaf, silk, brass, leather, and silver, with intricate designs.
  4. Step 4: In modern times, the use of pankhas has been restricted to decorative purposes, and they have become traditional craft items.
  5. Step 5: With the advent of technology, the culture of pankhas runs the risk of losing its presence, but commercialisation has provided livelihood to artisans.
  6. Step 6: Initiatives like pankha-making workshops and exhibitions help preserve the craft by providing a commercial platform and spreading awareness.
💡 Students often forget that pankhas were once functional items used in daily life and religious rituals, not just decorative pieces. The shift from functional to decorative is a key point.
Formation of Present Perfect Tense
  1. Step 1: Identify the subject of the sentence (e.g., 'pankhas', 'artisans').
  2. Step 2: Use the auxiliary verb 'have' or 'has' depending on the subject (singular subjects take 'has', plural subjects take 'have').
  3. Step 3: Add the past participle form of the main verb (e.g., 'become', 'worked', 'transformed').
  4. Step 4: Ensure the action has relevance to the present time or is recently completed.
  5. Step 5: Example: 'Many tribes in India have adopted this handicraft.'
💡 Students often confuse present perfect with simple past. The key difference is that present perfect connects the past action to the present, while simple past describes a completed action with no present connection.
Identifying and Using Collocations
  1. Step 1: Recognise that collocations are conventional word combinations that sound natural to native speakers.
  2. Step 2: Identify common patterns such as adjective + noun (e.g., 'sustainable livelihood') or verb + noun (e.g., 'take responsibility').
  3. Step 3: Practice using collocations in sentences to ensure natural fluency.
  4. Step 4: Avoid mixing words that do not commonly go together (e.g., 'make a decision' is correct, not 'do a decision').
💡 Students often create unnatural combinations by translating directly from their mother tongue. For example, 'take a seat' is correct, not 'have a seat' in formal contexts, though both are used.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing 'Indigenous' with 'Innovative'
✗ Indigenous means new and original.
→ Indigenous means local or originating from a place, while innovative means new and original. They are distinct concepts.
✓ Indigenous refers to something that originates naturally in a particular region, e.g., 'Gujarat has its own indigenous take on pankhas.'
⚠ Misusing Present Perfect for Simple Past
✗ Pankhas became traditional craft items in modern times. (using simple past)
→ The sentence requires present perfect because the action (becoming traditional craft items) has relevance to the present. Simple past would imply it happened and is completely finished.
✓ In modern times, pankhas have become traditional craft items in India.
⚠ Confusing 'Pankha' and 'Pankhi'
✗ Pankha and pankhi are the same thing.
→ Pankha refers to all fans, while pankhi specifically denotes a small plumed fan used in ancient India.
✓ Pankha is a general term for fans, whereas pankhi is a specific type of small plumed fan from ancient India.
⚠ Misinterpreting 'Advent' as 'Advancement'
✗ The advent of technology means the advancement of technology.
→ Advent means arrival, not advancement. While related, the word specifically refers to the coming or arrival of something.
✓ The advent of technology refers to the arrival of technology, which has impacted the culture of pankhas.
⚠ Confusing 'Antiquity' with 'Antique'
✗ Antiquity means an old object.
→ Antiquity refers to the distant past or ancient times, not an object. An antique is an old object.
✓ Antiquity means the distant past, e.g., 'The fans are recognised due to their antiquity and rarity.'
Compare & Contrast
Definition and usage
Pankha
Pankhi
Pankha is a general term for all fans, while pankhi specifically denotes a small plumed fan used in ancient India.
Time reference and relevance to present
Present Perfect Tense
Simple Past Tense
Present perfect connects a past action to the present (e.g., 'have become'), while simple past describes a completed action with no present connection (e.g., 'became').
Meaning and context
Indigenous
Innovative
Indigenous means local or originating from a region, while innovative means new and original in approach.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each) on vocabulary or factual recall, 1 SA (2-3 marks) on regional variations or historical significance, 1 LA (5 marks) on preservation of traditional crafts or critical reflection on the chapter's theme, 1 grammar question (1-2 marks) on present perfect tense or collocations.
Most asked: Regional variations of pankhas and their materials · Historical significance of pankhas from Ajanta paintings to trade routes · Impact of technology and commercialisation on traditional crafts · Present perfect tense usage and identification · Vocabulary: indigenous, innovative, industrious, intricate, invoked, initiatives
Don't skip: Long answer question on how the balance between preserving traditional craftsmanship and incorporating innovative designs can help pankhas survive (5 marks).; Critical reflection question on the changing cultural role of pankhas from functional to decorative (3-5 marks).; Question on the significance of initiatives like pankha-making workshops (3 marks).
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. Pankha originates from the word 'pankh' meaning feather of a bird.
  2. Pankhi is a small plumed fan used in ancient India, with evidence in Ajanta wall paintings from the 2nd century CE.
  3. Pankhas were used in temples to fan deities and in royal courts to fan kings.
  4. Different regions developed pankhas with distinct materials like bamboo, cane, palm leaf, silk, brass, leather, and silver.
  5. The appliqué hand fan of Rajasthan is made of pieces of fabric sewn onto another cloth with ornamental needlework.
  6. The zardozi hand fan of Rajasthan uses glittering ornate and encrusted gold threadwork.
  7. Gujarat's mirror work hand fans are elegant pure cotton-based fans embellished with mirror work.
  8. Bengal's sola hand fans are made from the milky-white spongy centre of the sola water grass.
  9. Phadh hand fans of Uttar Pradesh are adorned with pure gold, silver zari, silk, and satin frills.
  10. Bihar's colourful and sturdy bamboo hand fans are recognised for their antiquity and rarity.
  11. With the advent of technology, the culture of pankhas runs the risk of losing its presence among Indians.
  12. Initiatives such as pankha-making workshops help spread awareness and provide a commercial platform for artisans.
  13. The present perfect tense is formed with 'have/has' + past participle and connects past actions to the present.
  14. Collocations are conventional word combinations like 'sustainable livelihood' and 'aesthetically pleasing'.
  15. Indigenous means local or originating from a region, while innovative means new and original.
  16. The poem 'Canvas of Soil' uses allegory to compare gardening to painting, with the garden as a canvas and seeds as brushstrokes.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. According to the passage, what is the literal meaning of the word 'pankh'?

  • A. A fan made of leaves
  • B. Feather of a bird ✓
  • C. A decorative craft
  • D. A type of royal item

Answer: B — The passage explicitly states: 'The word punkha or pankha originates from the word pankh, which means feather of a bird.'

Q2. Which state is known as the centre for bead craft in India and produces beaded pankhas with silver handles?

  • A. Rajasthan
  • B. West Bengal
  • C. Gujarat ✓
  • D. Odisha

Answer: C — The passage states: 'Gujarat is the centre for bead craft in India and these dainty pankhas are commonly used as wall decorations.'

Q3. In West Bengal, what material is traditionally used to make delicate pankhas referred to as Tal Patar Pankha?

  • A. Bamboo and cane
  • B. Palm leaf ✓
  • C. Sola (water grass)
  • D. Leather and wool

Answer: B — The passage states: 'The palm leaf hand fans are locally referred to as Tal Patar Pankha' in Bengal, and sola pankhas are also made there but Tal Patar refers specifically to palm leaf.

Q4. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a material used in traditional pankha-making?

  • A. Silk and brass
  • B. Plastic and synthetic fiber ✓
  • C. Bamboo and cane
  • D. Palm leaf and leather

Answer: B — The passage lists only natural and traditional materials like silk, brass, bamboo, cane, leather, and palm leaf—plastic and synthetic fibers are modern materials not mentioned.

Q5. Based on the passage, why did pankhas become significant cultural goods distributed through trade routes?

  • A. Because they were mass-produced in factories
  • B. Because they were considered exotic and stylish ✓
  • C. Because they were cheaper than other fans
  • D. Because every village produced the same design

Answer: B — The passage states: 'Over time, pankhas became significant cultural goods distributed through trade routes. They were considered exotic and stylish.'

Q6. What challenge does the pankha craft face in modern times, and how is this being addressed?

  • A. Lack of raw materials; solved by importing materials from other countries
  • B. Loss of popularity due to technology; addressed through exhibitions and awareness workshops ✓
  • C. Low government funding; solved by increasing export prices
  • D. Insufficient skilled workers; addressed by training only young people

Answer: B — The passage states: 'With time and the advent of technology...the beautiful culture of pankhas runs the risk of slowly losing its presence' and later: 'Initiatives such as pankha-making workshops...help spread awareness.'

Q7. According to the passage, what does the statement 'Each place developed pankhas with distinct materials or a variety of intricate designs, that set them apart from one another' primarily illustrate?

  • A. That pankha-making is an easy craft anyone can do
  • B. That regional diversity in pankha design reflects local culture and geography ✓
  • C. That all pankhas are made using the same traditional methods
  • D. That pankhas are only valued for their commercial price

Answer: B — This statement demonstrates how different regions developed unique versions based on local materials and cultural preferences, showing regional diversity as a strength of the craft.

Q8. Scenario: A craftsperson in Kutch decides to create hand fans using a combination of traditional leather stitching and modern synthetic beads. Which concept from the passage best explains why this could help preserve the pankha craft?

  • A. Innovation through blending traditional techniques with contemporary demand keeps the craft relevant ✓
  • B. Using only traditional materials ensures the pankha craft survives unchanged
  • C. Modern materials automatically make pankhas more valuable than traditional ones
  • D. Commercial platforms make traditional crafts obsolete and unnecessary

Answer: A — The passage suggests that celebrating cultural variations and initiatives that provide commercial platforms help sustain the craft—strategic innovation that honors tradition while meeting modern demand achieves this balance.

Q9. Which word from the passage best describes the hardworking home-based women workers of Gujarat who produced embroidered hand fans?

  • A. Innovative
  • B. Industrious ✓
  • C. Indigenous
  • D. Intricate

Answer: B — The passage uses 'industrious' to describe these workers: 'Gujarat's industrious home-based women workers have worked tirelessly in the handicraft of pankha-making.'

Q10. Based on the passage, what can be inferred about why tribal pankhas use geometrical patterns and white ink with red backgrounds?

  • A. These designs are easier to make than other patterns
  • B. Tribal artisans copied designs from other regions without change
  • C. These patterns reflect the tribal communities' cultural aesthetics and artistic traditions ✓
  • D. These color combinations are the only dyes available to tribal craftspeople

Answer: C — The passage suggests regional designs reflect cultural identity; the specific mention of tribal geometric patterns and color combinations indicates these are deliberate aesthetic choices rooted in tribal traditions.

Flashcards

What does the word 'pankh' mean in Sanskrit/Hindi?

Pankh means feather of a bird, which is the origin of the word punkha or pankha.

Where is the earliest evidence of pankhas found in India?

The earliest evidence is found in Buddhist wall paintings at Ajanta dating back to the 2nd century CE.

What is unique about Rajasthan's appliqué hand fan?

It is made of pieces of fabric in different shapes and patterns sewn onto another cloth using ornamental needlework.

Which Indian state is the centre for bead craft and produces beaded pankhas?

Gujarat is the centre for bead craft in India and produces colorful beaded hand fans with silver handles.

What material is used to make delicate pankhas in West Bengal?

Delicate pankhas in West Bengal are made from the milky-white spongy centre of the sola, a type of water grass.

Define the term 'intricate' as used in the passage about pankhas.

Intricate means elaborate and detailed in design or construction.

Why have pankhas become important in modern times according to the passage?

Pankhas have become important as traditional craft items and now provide livelihood to India's artisans through commercial platforms.

What does the word 'indigenous' mean in the context of pankhas?

Indigenous means local—originating or coming naturally from a particular place or region.

Name two materials used in tribal hand fans.

Tribal hand fans use materials such as grass, metal, bamboo sticks, cane, palm leaves, silk, and brass.

What is one way to preserve the essence of pankha craft according to the passage?

Celebrating pankhas, appreciating their culture and artistry, and organizing workshops and exhibitions help preserve and spread awareness about this craft.

Important Board Questions

What is the origin of the word 'pankha' and what was its primary use in ancient India? [2 marks]

Trace the word back to 'pankh' (feather) and mention two contexts of use: temples for deities and royal courts for kings, with evidence from Ajanta paintings (2nd century CE).

Explain how the diversity of pankha designs across different Indian regions demonstrates the relationship between geography, culture, and traditional craft. Give two regional examples. [3 marks]

Connect local materials (bamboo in tribal areas, sola in Bengal, mirrors in Gujarat) to regional geography and cultural identity. Show how these choices make each pankha distinct and culturally meaningful.

The passage states: '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.' Analyze why this is happening and evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions proposed in the passage to preserve this craft. Support your answer with specific examples from the text. [5 marks]

Identify the threat (technology reducing demand, shift from personal to commercial use) and evaluate proposed solutions (celebrating the craft, awareness workshops, commercial platforms, sustainable livelihood models). Use examples like Rajasthan's appliqué fans, tribal pankhas, and Bengal's sola pankhas to show how cultural celebration and market platforms create sustainability.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Winds of Change

Q1. Assertion (A):

The punkha has remained a significant cultural artifact in India throughout history, from ancient temples to modern households.

Reason (R):

Punkhas have been continuously used for personal comfort and decoration without experiencing any change in their materials or design.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—punkhas have remained culturally significant from ancient to modern times. However, the reason is false because the passage clearly explains that punkhas HAVE changed over time in materials, designs, and purpose. The reason incorrectly claims no change occurred, making it an unsuitable explanation for the assertion.

Q2. Assertion (A):

Different regions of India developed distinct styles of pankhas with unique materials and designs.

Reason (R):

Geography, local cultures, available indigenous materials, and traditional rituals influenced the development of regional variations in pankha craftsmanship.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains WHY different regions developed distinct styles. The passage explicitly states that pankhas were made 'depending on geographies, cultures, and traditional rituals' and that 'the structure of each fan reflects the cultural core of the region.' This is the correct reason for regional diversity.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Pankhas in modern times have lost their practical utility and are now exclusively decorative and commercial items.

Reason (R):

Modern electric fans and air conditioning technology have made handmade punkhas obsolete for cooling purposes.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — The assertion is true—the passage states that pankhas have been 'restricted to decorative purposes' and become 'traditional craft items' serving commercial purposes. However, while the reason about technology is a logical explanation, the passage does not explicitly mention electric fans or air conditioning as the cause. The reason is not the explanation provided in the text, though it might be true in general.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Winds of Change

Case Study:

Priya is a heritage craft researcher studying traditional fan-making in India. She visited three villages: Jaipur in Rajasthan, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, and Kolkata in West Bengal. In Jaipur, she found artisans creating appliqué fans with colourful fabric pieces and ornamental needlework. In Ahmedabad, she observed craftspeople embellishing pure cotton fans with mirror work and beads. In Kolkata, she watched artisans carefully carving delicate sola fans that are light and portable. Despite using completely different materials and techniques, all three groups called their products 'pankhas' and followed centuries-old methods passed down through generations.

Q1. What is the most likely reason all three groups use the term 'pankha' despite making different products?

  • A. The word originated from a Sanskrit term for any handheld fanning device, establishing a common identity across regions ✓
  • B. The government mandated that all hand fans must be called pankhas for trade purposes
  • C. Artisans copied the terminology from ancient texts without understanding its meaning
  • D. The different materials required the same name to distinguish them from modern electric fans

Answer: A

Q2. Based on the passage, which factor is MOST responsible for the differences between Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata pankhas?

  • A. The skill level of artisans in each city
  • B. Government regulations requiring unique designs in each state
  • C. Availability of indigenous materials and local cultural traditions in each region ✓
  • D. International demand for specific pankha styles in each area

Answer: C

Q3. What does Priya's observation about 'centuries-old methods passed down through generations' suggest about pankha preservation?

  • A. Traditions can persist and remain valuable despite technological changes and market pressures ✓
  • B. Artisans are unable to innovate or adapt their craft techniques to modern needs
  • C. The craft will automatically survive without any deliberate preservation efforts
  • D. Only elderly artisans have the knowledge to make authentic pankhas

Answer: A

Q4. If Priya wanted to support these artisans and promote their craft to a wider audience, which approach would align BEST with the passage's suggestions for preservation?

  • A. Convince them to use modern synthetic materials to reduce costs and increase production
  • B. Organise exhibitions and workshops celebrating their craft while creating commercial platforms for sustainable income ✓
  • C. Document their techniques and sell the designs to large industrial manufacturers
  • D. Encourage them to stop making pankhas and pursue more profitable handicrafts

Answer: B

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