Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. South India is known mainly for its music, arts and rich literature. Madras or Chennai can be called the cultural capital and the soul of Mother India. The city is built low in pleasant contrast to the ugly tall structures of Mumbai and Kolkata. It has vast open spaces and ample greenery. The majestic spacious
Mount Road looks like a river, wide and deep. A walk along the Marina Beach in the evening with the sea shining in your face is totally refreshing. The breeze soothes the body, it refreshes the mind and brightens the intellect.
2. One can never feel dull in Chennai. The intellectual and cultural life of the city is something of a marvel. Every street corner of Chennai has a literary forum, a debating society, and music, dance or dramatic club. The intelligent arguments, the sparkling wit, and dashing irony make every meeting very interesting. There is a young men’s association which attracts brilliant speakers and equally brilliant listeners to its meetings. It is a treat to watch them use their speaking skills. Chennai speakers are by and large sweet and civilized, though angry and noisy variety is also often witnessed during election time. The more urbane speakers weave their arguments slowly like the unfolding of a melody set to
Carnatic music.
3. Music concerts and dance performances draw packed houses. There is hardly any cultured family in Chennai that does not learn and patronize music and dance in its original form. Rukmani Devi Arundale’s ‘Kala Kshetra’ is a renowned international centre. It has turned out hundreds of celebrated maestros and dancers who have brought fame and glory to our country. Carnatic music has a beautiful charm of its own. It has the moon’s soft beauty and soft pace. Thousands of people flock to the temple ‘maidans’ to enjoy the sweet melodies of their favourite singers. They sit out all night even in the unbearable heat, swaying to the rhythm of ‘nadaswaram’ and the measured beats of ‘mridangam’.
4. The gods might descend from heaven to see a South Indian damsel dancing. There are several varieties of South Indian dance – Bharat Natyam, Mohini Attam, Kathakali etc. Age cannot wither, nor custom stales its beautiful variety. Bharat Natyam is the most graceful and enchanting dance form whereas Kathakali is most masculine and virile. South Indian dances combine pleasure
with purity. Here, every muscle and fibre of the body vibrates into life, and as the movement increases, a divine flame-like passion comes out as if making an effort to reach heaven.
5. South Indian dress, particularly of the males, is puritanically simple. There you cannot distinguish a judge from a ‘peon’ by his dress. South Indian ladies to look charming and graceful in their colourful Kanjeevaram and Mysore Silk Saris.
6. South Indian cuisine, especially ‘dosa’, ‘idli’ and ‘vada’ are so delicious that now we enjoy them almost everywhere in India and even in some foreign countries. The Madrasi ‘idli’ which was a favourite of Gandhiji is served with ‘sambhar’ and ‘chutney’.
2.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate options:
(a) South India is known mainly for its:
(i) tasty food.
(ii) traditional music, art, and literature.
(iii) scenic beauty.
(iv) delicate and precise ways.
(b) In South Indian cuisine, Gandhiji's favourite was:
(i) dosa.
(ii) vada.
(iii) uttapam.
(iv) idli.
2.2 Answer the following questions briefly:
(a) How does the breeze on Marina Beach affect the body?
(b) Why does one never feel dull in Chennai?
(c) What is usual for a cultured family in Chennai?
(d) What makes Carnatic music charming?
(e) What is special about ‘Kathakali’?
(f) What has ‘Kala Kshetra’ achieved?
2.3 Find words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following:
(a) wonder (para 2)
(b) promote / support (para 3)
Answers
The correct answers are -
2.1 (a) South India is basically known for its (ii) traditional music, art, and literature.
(b) In South Indian Cuisine, Gandhiji's favourite dish was (iv) idli.
2.2 (a) The wind on the beach at the marina positively affects the body. The air soothes the body and it also refreshes the mind, as well as brightens the intellect.
(b) Due to the city's sophesticated and cultural life one never feels boring at Chennai. There is an existing literary forum, a debating society, and music, dance, or drama club in every street or corner of Chennai.
(c) Learning and patronizing music and dance are the usual activities for a family in Chennai.
(d) The moon’s soft beauty and soft pace makes the Carnatic music charming.
(e) One of Kathakali's specialties is that it's the most masculine and virile dance.
(f) Hundreds of famous maestros and dancers who gave fame and glory to our country have turned out to be Kala Kshetra.
2.3 (a)The word for wonder is - Marvel
(b) The word for promore is - patronize
Answer:
1. Harami and salan are the main thread of sikkim and aasam.