KATHMANDU (Beehive)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vikram Seth ( BORN 1952 CALCUTTA) is an Indian novelist and poet. He has written several novels and poetry books. He has received several awards such as Padma Shri, Sahitya Academy Award, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, WH Smith Literary Award and Crossword Book Award.

Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.               

1. Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.

Pashupatinath temple and Baudhnath shrine.

2. The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’ refer to?

'All this' refers to eating a bar of marzipan, a corn-on-the-cob roasted in a charcoal stove (rubbed with salt, chilli powder and lemon), and reading a couple of love story comics and a Reader's Digest

3. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine? 

Vikram Seth compares the quills of a porcupine to the pole of the flute seller with fifty or sixty bansuris protruding in all directions.

4. Name five kinds of flutes. 

The reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep bansuri, the breathy flutes of South America, the high pitched Chinese flutes.

5. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?

The flute seller does not shout out his wares like the other hawkers. He simply plays slowly, meditatively, without excessive display.

6.What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?

At Pashupatinath, there is a small shrine that protrudes from the stone platform on the river bank of Bagmati. It is believed that when the shrine will emerge fully, the goddess inside it will escape. The evil period of Kaliyug on earth will then end.

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...)

a) There are so many worshippers that some people trying to get the priest’s attention are   elbowed aside by others 

b) By the main gate, a party of saffron-clad Westerners struggle for permission to enter. 

c) A fight breaks out between two monkeys.

(ii) the things he sees

a) fruit sellers, flute sellers and also hawkers of postcards 

(iii) the sounds he hears 

a) Film songs blare out from the radios b) car horns sound  c) vendors shout out their wares.

1. Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.

The atmosphere at the Baudhnath temple is calm and quiet. The temple has a huge white dome with an outer ring road. The place is relaxing as there are no noises or crowds around. 

On the contrary, the atmosphere at the Pashupatinath temple is chaotic. There is a lot of confusion and noise as tourists, pilgrims, priests and animals roam around. As entry is restricted to Hindus only, foreigners dressed as sadhus can be seen arguing with the guards to gain entry. A rush of people can be seen elbowing each other to gain entry. One can see monkeys fighting and climbing on the shivling in the temple. There is a lot of activity going on near the holy river Bagmati that flows near the temple.

2. How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?

The author describes the busiest streets of Kathmandu very interestingly. He says there are small shrines and flower adorned deities. There are fruit sellers, film rolls, chocolates, hawkers selling postcards, western cosmetics and Nepalese antiques. He also hears and enjoys the film songs played at different shops.

3.“To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?

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.

Thinking about Language 

     Read the following sentences carefully to understand the meaning of the italicised phrases.

     Then match the phrasal verbs in Column A with their meanings in Column B.

1. A communal war broke out when the princess was abducted by the neighbouring prince. 
2. The cockpit broke off from the plane during the plane crash. 
3. The car broke down on the way and we were left stranded in the jungle. 
4. The dacoit broke away from the police as they took him to court. 
5. The brothers broke up after the death of the father. 
6. The thief broke into our house when we were away. 

A	B
1. (i)  break out 2. (ii) break off 3. (iii) break down 4. (iv) break away (from someone) 5. (v) break up 6. (vi) break into	(a)  to come apart due to force (2) (b) end a relationship (5) (c) break and enter illegally; unlawful trespassing (6) (d) of start suddenly, (usually a fight, a war or a disease) (1) (e) to escape from someone’s grip (4) (f) stop working (3)

 Use the suffixes -ion or -tion to form nouns from the following verbs. Make the necessary changes in the spellings of the words. 

Example: proclaim – proclamation 

 1. Cremate – cremation
2. Invent- invention
3. Direct-direction
4. dislocate -dislocation
5. act – action
6. tempt- temptation
7. meditate- meditation
8. associate – association
9. exhaust – exhaustion
10. immigrate - immigration
11. Imagine - imagination
12. dedicate -dedication

Now fill in the blanks with suitable words from the ones that you have formed.

1. (i)  Mass literacy was possible only after the invention  of the printing machine. 
2. (ii)  Ramesh is unable to tackle the situation as he lacks direction.
3. (iii)  I could not resist the temptation  to open the letter. 
4. (iv)  Hard work and  dedication are the main keys to success. 
5. (v)  The children were almost fainting with  exhaustion  after being made to stand in the sun. 

Simple Present Tense
Study these sentences from the lesson.

• A fight breaks out between two monkeys.
• Film songs blare out from the radios.
• I wash it down with Coca-Cola.

The italicised verbs are in the simple present tense. The writer is here describing what he saw and heard but he uses the present tense instead of the past tense. A narration or a story can be made more dramatic or immediate by using the present tense in this way. 

Now look at the following sentences.
• A small shrine half protrudes from the stone platform on the riverbank.
• Small shops stand on the outer edge of the Stupa.

We use the simple present tense to speak about what is usually or generally true. The sentences above describe facts. We also use the simple present tense in sentences depicting ‘universal truths’. For example:

• The sun rises in the east.
• The earth revolves round the sun.
We can also refer to habitual actions using the simple present tense.
• He usually takes a train instead of a bus to work.
• We often get fine drizzles in winter.
In these sentences words like everyday, often, seldom, never, every month, generally, usually, etc. may be used. 
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets. 

(i) The heart is a pump that (send)sends  the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action (take place) takes place when the left ventricle of the heart  (contract) contracts. This (force) forces the blood out into the arteries, which  (expand) expands to receive the oncoming blood. 

(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought it  digs (dig) a pit and  encloses (enclose) itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule (dry) dries  and (harden)  hardens , but when the rain (come) comes, the mud  (dissolve) dissolves and the lungfish, (swim) swims away. 

(iii) MAHESH : We have to organise a class party for our teacher.
Does (Do) anyone play an instrument?

VIPUL : Rohit plays (play) the flute.
MAHESH :  Does (Do) he also act? 
VIPUL : No, he  composes (compose) music. 
MAHESH : That’s wonderful!