Class 11 NCERT English book Woven Words Essay Lesson 7 Bridges Question and answer.
Understanding the Text
1. How did the author feel about her mother’s passion to make her a dancer?
2. What were the lessons of life learnt in her younger days that Kumudini react to her adult life?
3. How did Kumudini react to her mother’s death?
4. What were the concepts that Kumudini Lakhia represent through Duvidha, Atah kim and Panch Paras?
5. How does Kumudini Lakhia describe her guru Ramgopal’s influence on her?
Answer:
1. How Did the Author Feel About Her Mother’s Passion to Make Her a Dancer?
Initially, Kumudini did not share her mother’s passion. She was an “unwilling child” taken to dance classes, and she found the lessons “no fun.”
She felt that she was just doing what she was told, and she was envious of the other children who were able to play.
She did not understand the need to dance, and her guru would not explain the reasoning behind the movements.
She did not have a desire to dance, it was something that was forced upon her.
2. What Were the Lessons of Life Learnt in Her Younger Days That Kumudini Reacts to in Her Adult Life?
The Games Politicians Play:
Her experience with Liaquat Ali’s gardener taught her about the complexities of political interactions and the potential for hidden agendas.
Discipline:
Her time at Queen Mary’s College instilled in her the value of discipline, both in her daily routine and in her thinking.
Gender Roles and Societal Expectations:
Her arguments with her grandmother about appropriate behavior for women, and her experiences at the agriculture college, made her question traditional gender roles.
The Importance of Sensory Experience:
Her reflections on visiting temples taught her to appreciate the richness of sensory experiences, which she later explored in her choreography.
That life is not always what you expect:
Her whole life was changed by a chance meeting at a train station.
The importance of context:
Her time in post war Germany, showed her how the same situation can cause different reactions, based on the context.
3. How Did Kumudini React to Her Mother’s Death?
She was overwhelmed with confusion, a state of mind that continued to influence her creative process.
She experienced a profound sense of emptiness and a physical hunger, which she struggled to understand and express.
She felt a sense of emotional numbness and disorientation, not knowing “where to turn or what to do with my hands.”
She underplayed her emotions, out of a fear of appearing greedy.
4. What Were the Concepts That Kumudini Lakhia Represents Through Duvidha, Atah Kim, and Panch Paras?
Duvidha (Conflict):
Explores the internal conflict of a woman trapped between traditional expectations and a desire for freedom.
Represents the feeling of emptiness and the struggle to define one’s own desires.
Atah Kim (Then What?):
Addresses the question of purpose and direction in life, particularly after achieving a goal.
Examines the desire for power and the responsibility that comes with it.
Panch Paras (The Five Senses):
Celebrates the richness of sensory experiences and their connection to spirituality.
Differentiates between sensitivity and sentimentality.
5. How Does Kumudini Lakhia Describe Her Guru Ramgopal’s Influence on Her?
He taught her both the importance of rigid control, and the importance of freedom in dance.
She describes him as a “strict disciplinarian” with a “fetish for perfection of line.”
He instilled in her the importance of mastering technique before experimenting.
He also taught her to “throw it overboard and dance” once the technique was perfected, emphasizing the importance of artistic freedom and expression.
Appreciation
1. The significance of reading an autobiography lies in drawing lessons from another life. What is the significance of Kumudhini’s account for us as readers?
2. Pick out instances from the passage that reflect the sensitivity of the author.
3. ‘I can see clear bridges between my life experience and my work in dance. ‘ How does Kumudini Lakhia weave episode from the two relms in her account?
Answer:
1. The significance of Kumudini’s account for us as readers: Lakhia’s autobiography offers a unique perspective on the journey of an artist. It reveals that success is not always a preordained path, but rather a result of perseverance, adaptation, and the ability to find connections between life experiences and creative expression. Her story encourages us to embrace the unexpected and to find meaning in the struggles we face.
2. Instances from the passage that reflect the sensitivity of the author:
Her description of her mother’s dedication in taking her to dance classes, despite the hardships, reveals a deep appreciation for her sacrifices.
Her emotional response to her mother’s death and her inability to process the loss at a young age demonstrates her vulnerability.
Her reflection on the plight of women in Indian society and her desire for them to embrace their bodies with dignity shows her empathy and social awareness.
Her contemplation of the complexities of power and the search for meaning in life reveals her introspective nature.
Her observations on the impact of context and the different reactions evoked by similar situations in different environments demonstrate her nuanced understanding of human experience.
3. How Kumudini Lakhia weaves episodes from the two realms (life experiences and dance) in her account:
Lakhia explicitly connects her life experiences to her choreographic work. For example:
The confusion she felt after her mother’s death is reflected in the theme of confusion in her new dance piece.
Her feeling of emptiness after her mother’s death is mirrored in the character in Duvidha who doesn’t know what she is hungry for.
Her question about what to do after school takes shape in her composition, Atah Kim.
Her desire for power is addressed in Atah Kim.
Her arguments with her grandmother about religion and tradition led to her piece called Panch Paras.
Her experiences touring post-war Germany taught her about the importance of context, which she applies to her choreography.
Language Work
1. Distinguish between the following pairs of words
incredulous – incredible
suspicious – susceptible
sensitivity – sentimentality
successive – successful
2. Interpret these phrases in the context of the essay
mist of protection
at a crossroads
it came with strings attached
3. ‘Kummi’, ‘ghumar’ and ‘dandia’ are some dance forms mentioned in the text. Make an inventory of folk dance forms in the different regions of the country.
Answer:
1. Distinguish between the following pairs of words:
- Incredulous – Incredible:
- Incredulous: This describes a state of disbelief or skepticism. It implies an inability or unwillingness to believe something. Example: “She gave me an incredulous look when I told her I’d won the lottery.”
- Incredible: This means unbelievable, but in a positive sense, often implying something is amazing or extraordinary. Example: “The view from the mountaintop was incredible.”
- Suspicious – Susceptible:
- Suspicious: This means having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something. It implies doubt or wariness. Example: “He was suspicious of the stranger’s motives.”
- Susceptible: This means likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing. It implies vulnerability. Example: “Children are susceptible to colds.”
- Sensitivity – Sentimentality:
- Sensitivity: This refers to the quality of being easily affected by feelings or emotions, or being aware of and understanding the feelings of others. It implies awareness and empathy. Example: “Her sensitivity to others’ feelings made her a good counselor.”
- Sentimentality: This refers to excessive or exaggerated feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia. It can imply an overly emotional or maudlin approach. Example: “The movie was filled with excessive sentimentality.”
- Successive – Successful:
- Successive: This means following one after the other in a sequence. It implies a series. Example: “There were three successive days of rain.”
- Successful: This means achieving the desired aim or result. It implies accomplishment. Example: “The project was a successful venture.”
2. Interpret these phrases in the context of the essay:
- Mist of protection: This refers to the sheltered and shielded environment Kumudini experienced during her childhood. It suggests a lack of exposure to the harsh realities of life, which she later felt compelled to escape.
- At a crossroads: This signifies a point of critical decision or uncertainty in her life. It represents the moments when she had to choose a direction, such as after finishing school or after returning from her travels.
- It came with strings attached: This refers to the compromises and responsibilities that came with marriage and establishing a home. It implies that her newfound stability also brought limitations and obligations.
3. Inventory of folk dance forms in different regions of the country:
India has a rich and diverse heritage of folk dances. Here’s a brief inventory:
- North India:
- Bhangra (Punjab): Energetic and celebratory dance.
- Giddha (Punjab): A lively dance performed by women.
- Raslila (Uttar Pradesh): Dance depicting the stories of Lord Krishna.
- Chakri (Rajasthan): a dance that involves spinning.
- Ghoomar (Rajasthan): A traditional dance of swirling and graceful movements.
- East India:
- Bihu (Assam): A vibrant dance associated with the Bihu festival.
- Chhau (Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal): A masked dance with martial and folk traditions.
- Jhumur (Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal): A harvest dance.
- Santhal Dance (Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal): Tribal dances.
- West India:
- Garba (Gujarat): A circular dance performed during Navratri.
- Dandiya Raas (Gujarat): A dance using sticks, also performed during Navratri.
- Lavani (Maharashtra): A lively and sensual dance form.
- Koli Dance (Maharashtra): Dance of the fisherfolk.
- South India:
- Kolattam (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh): A stick dance.
- Yakshagana (Karnataka): A theatrical folk dance with elaborate costumes.
- Theyyam (Kerala): A ritualistic dance with elaborate makeup and costumes.
- Oppana (Kerala): A bridal dance.
- Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh): Although it is considered a classical dance form, it has strong folk roots.
- Central India:
- Karma (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh): A harvest dance.
- Matki Dance (Madhya Pradesh): A solo dance.
- Gaur Maria (Chhattisgarh): Bison horn dance.