KATHMANDU

KATHMANDU

By

Vikram Seth

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

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

Ans. Pashupatinath temple and the Baudhnath stupa.

Q. 2. The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola." What does 'all this' refer to?

Ans. 'All this' refers to a bar of marzipan and a corn-on-the-cob roasted in a charcoal brazier.

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

Ans. Vikram Seth compares the quills of a porcupine to the bansuris tied on the top of the bansuri seller's pole.

4. Name five kinds of flutes.

Ans. (a) The Reed neh

(b) The recorder

(c) The Japanese Shakunachi

(d) The cross flute

(e) The deep bansuri of Hindustani classical music.


Answer each question in a short paragraph.

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

Ans. The flute-seller stands in a corner of a square near the hotel. From time to time he stands the pole on the ground, selects a flute and plays for few minutes. The sound of his flute rises clearly above the noise of the traffic.

On the other hand, the other hawkers shout out their wares. They work hard to earn their living. Their life is not carefree like the flute-seller.


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

Ans. There is a small shrine on the bank of the river Bagmati. The belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug is that when the small shrine half protruding from the stone platform on the river emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape. And then the evil period of the Kaliyug will end on earth.

3. 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 eaxmple : Some people trying to get priest's attention are elbowed aside....)

(ii) the things he sees

(iii) the sounds he hears

Ans:

(i) There are so many worshippers in the temple. Some people trying to get the priest's attention are elbowed aside by others in order to push their way to the front. There is a lot of hue and cry. A group of westerners wearing saffron clothes struggle for permission to enter. The policeman is not convinced with them that they are Hindus.

(ii) The author sees the confusion at the Pashupatinath temple. He sees a fight between two monkeys. He also sees a corpse being cremated on the banks of the river. He also sees that people are dropping flowers and leaves into the Bagmati.

(iii) The author hears the blaring of film songs from the radios, car horn sounds, bicycle bell ring, lowing of stray cows questioningly at motorcycles. He hears vendors shouting their wares. He also hears the sound of the sweet music played by the flute-seller.


III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100-150 words each.

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

Ans. The author visits the two temples of Kathmandu. He describes the atmosphere in and around these temples. First, he describes Pashupatinath temple. There is an atmosphere of confusion and disorder. Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs are seen roaming through the ground. Flowers are offered. There is a crowd of devotees. They can be seen trying to get the priest's attention and pushing one another to make their way to the front. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple. A fight breaks out between two monkeys. The holy river Bagmati flows below the temple. On the other hand, in the atmosphere of the Baudhnath Stupa there prevails quietness. Its immense white dome is ringed by a road. There are small shops on its outer edge. There's no crowd. This is a safe place of quietness in the busy streets around.

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

Ans. The author describes Kathmandu's busiest streets vividly. The bazaar is full of hustle