Aneesh Jose

  1. What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class.   i. humid shadows   They refer to the dark, damp clouds that bring rain. These shadows hang low in the sky and create a gloomy, moist atmosphere.   ii. starry spheres   They are the night skies filled with twinkling stars. The poet imagines these beautiful star filled skies before the rain clouds cover them.   iii. what a bliss  It expresses a deep sense of joy and peace. The poet feels it is a great pleasure to lie in bed and listen to the gentle sound of rain on the roof.   iv. a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start   This means that the sound of rain sparks countless imaginative thoughts and dreams in the poet's mind, even while he is awake. v. a thousand recollections weave their air threads into woof This phrase means that the rain brings back many memories from the poet’s past, which blend together like threads i...

 I. Thinking about the poem   1. What are the things the wind does in the first stanza?  In the first stanza, the wind breaks shutters, scatters papers, tears book pages, and brings rain, showing its destructive and powerful nature. These actions highlight how the wind causes chaos and damage.   2. Have you seen anybody winnow grain at home or in a paddy field? What is the word in your language for winnowing?  What do people use for winnowing? (Give the words in your language, if you know them.) Yes, winnowing is a common process in farming areas. In Hindi, winnowing is called "सूपना" (Soopna) or "फटकना" (Fatakna). People use a "सूप" (Soop) or winnowing fan—a flat, circular basket—to separate the grain from the chaff by tossing it in the air. The lighter husk blows away, while the heavier grains fall back down.   3. What does the poet say the wind god winnows?   In the poem ‘Wind’ by Subramania Bharati, the poet uses ...

  I. Answer these questions in 30–40 words.  1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?   Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi because he found its sound shrill and unpleasant.  2. How is a shehnai different from a pungi?  The shehnai is an improved version of the pungi with a broader, more natural wooden tube and finger holes to control notes. Unlike the shrill and limited sound of the pungi, the shehnai produces a soft, melodious tone, making it suitable for auspicious occasions and classical music.  3. Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan change this?  Traditionally, the shehnai was played in temples and at weddings as it was considered an auspicious instrument. Bismillah Khan elevated its status by introducing it to the classical music stage. He gave many memorable performances both in India and abroad. Also, he played the shehnai at concerts and major events, such as India's Independen...

 Thinking about the Text (Page 20)   I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.   1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music?   Evelyn was seventeen years old when she went to the Royal Academy of Music.  2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?   Evelyn's deafness was first noticed at age 8 when her mother saw she wasn't responding in piano class, and it was confirmed by age 11 after a specialist diagnosed her with progressive nerve damage.   II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30-40 words).   1. Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?   Ron Forbes, a percussionist, played a crucial role in helping Evelyn continue with music. Recognizing her potential, he encouraged her to "feel" vibrations rather than rely on hearing. He tuned two large drums to different notes and asked her...

  I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.  1. How old are Margie and Tommy?  Margie is 11 years old, and Tommy is 13 years old. Their ages highlight their differing perspectives on the old-fashioned book and traditional schools.  2. What did Margie write in her diary?   Margie wrote in her diary, “Today Tommy found a real book”.   3. Had Margie ever seen a book before?  No, Margie had never seen a book before.   4. What things about the book did she find strange?  Margie found the old book’s pages were physical and didn't move like her digital telebooks. She was surprised that all children read the same content instead of having personalized lessons like her mechanical teacher provided. The idea of words staying fixed on paper seemed funny and wasteful to her.   5. What do you think a telebook is?   A telebook is a futuristic digital book used in the story, displayed ...

1. In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?  Iswaran is an asset to Mahendra as he takes complete care of his daily needs by cooking tasty meals, keeping the house clean, and managing supplies efficiently, even in remote places. He is resourceful, loyal, and always accompanies Mahendra to different postings. Moreover, his lively and imaginative storytelling keeps Mahendra entertained, making life in isolated areas more comfortable and enjoyable.   2. How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to create in his listeners?  Iswaran describes the uprooted tree on the highway in a highly dramatic manner. Instead of simply stating the fact, he builds suspense by saying the road was deserted and he was all alone, when suddenly, in front of him, he saw an enormous bushy beast lying sprawled across the road. He was half inclined to turn and go back. But as he came closer, he saw that it was a fallen tree, with...