Introduction - Kathmandu | English Literature for Grade 9 PDF Download

INTRODUCTION

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. In this chapter, Vikram Seth recalls the memories of his visit to Kathmandu. He visits the famous Pashupatinath temple of the Hindus and the Baudhnath Stupa of the Buddhists. He notices that there are noise and confusion around the temple but the Buddhist shrine is full of peace. He also describes the scene around many small shrines of Kathmandu. He notices even the small details like the monkeys in the temple fighting with each other.
“Kathmandu” is an extract from Vikram Seth’s travelogue ‘Heaven Lake which narrates his long journey from China to India via Tibet and Nepal. The present extract is an account of his time spent in Nepal visiting two temples – the Pashupatinath and the Baudhnath stupa, the shrines most sacred to Hindus and Buddhists respectively. He not only describes the ambiance inside these temples but also records his observations about their surroundings and contrasts the hectic activity in the Hindu temple with the serenity in the Buddhist stupa. 

THEME

The theme of this brief extract from Vikram Seth’s travelogue, ‘Heaven Lake’, is glimpses of Kathmandu, especially the famous Pashupatinath temple, sacred to Hindus, and the Baudhnath stupa, a holy place for the Buddhists. His experiences in the two temples form a kind of commentary on the two ways of worship and the two cultures. Another aspect of Kathmandu that forms the sub-theme is the general environment of this place. The author briefly discusses the markets, roads, etc. of Kathmandu and also adds a few aesthetic remarks about the musical instrument, the flute after listening to a flute seller playing the musical instrument.

TITLE

The title “Kathmandu” does not specify what the author is going to state about the capital city of Nepal. However, as we know that it is the narration of a part of a journey that the writer Vikram Seth undertook from ‘Heaven Lake’ in China to India, we expect to know more about Kathmandu. Still, with the author’s main focus on the two famous temples and a brief description regarding his general impression about Kathmandu, this title stands justified. The contents of the chapter, although not as descriptive as suggested by the title, still make the title apt as it signifies the main objective of the writer.
Although the extract is a part of a travelogue and the narration of the experiences of the author in Kathmandu without any apparent message, still it has deeper layers of meaning. The author disapproves of the noise and confusion in the Hindu temple and admires the serenity reigning supreme in the Buddhist temple. He also reveals how we thoughtlessly pollute our rivers washing clothes on its banks, cremating corpses, and dumping rubbish in them. The extract conveys the message that the purity and serenity of the holy places must be maintained.

 WORD-MEANINGS

Enjoy = take pleasure in, आनंद उठाना ; cheap = not costly, सस्ता ; nephew = a relative, भतीजा ; sign = notice, sign-board,साइनबोर्ड ; proclaims = announces, घोषणा करना ; entrance = place for entry,प्रवेश द्वार ; atmosphere = environment,वातावरण ; febrile = feverish, बीमारी–पूर्ण ; confusion = disorder, अव्यवस्था ; roam = wander, घूमना ; priest  = clergyman, पुजारी  ; devotees = worshippers, भक्त ; pigeon = a bird,कबूतर ; worshipper = one who worships, पुजारी ; royal = kingly,शाही ; saffron = ochre,केसरिया ; clad = dressed in,सुसज्जित ; convinced = sure, विश्वस्त ; breaks out = starts,आरंभ करना ; chase = follow,पीछा करना ; screaming = crying,चीखना , चिल्लाना; holy = sacred,पवित्र । Corpse = dead body,लाश ; cremated = burnt,दाह –संस्कार ; offerings = gifts, भेंट ; wilted = dry up,सूखे ; shrine = religious place, धार्मिक स्थान ; protrude= come out, बाहर निकलना ; emerge = come out,बाहर आना ; escape = become free,मुक्त होना ; evil = sinful, बुरा ; kalyug = period of evil and sin,कलयुग । Contrast = opposition,विरोध ; stillness = peace,शांति ; immense =big,बड़ा ; dome =round roof,गुंबद ; edge = brink,किनारा ; owned = possessed,रखना ; immigrants = migrants, प्रवासी ; felt (noun) = a rough coarse cloth,मोटा कपड़ा ; haven = refuge,आश्रयस्थल ; quietness = peace, शांति ; vivid = clear, स्पष्ट ; mercenary = business minded, व्यापारी प्रवृति का ; adorned = decorated,सज्जित ; deities = gods and goddesses,देवी–देवता ; flute =pipe,बांसुरी ; cosmetics = items of make up, सौदर्य प्रसाधन ; utensils =pots,बर्तन ; antiques = relics, प्राचीन वस्तुएं ; blare out = sing loudly, जोर-जोर से गाना ; stray = wandering,आवारा ; low (verb) = sound made by a cow,गाय का रंभाना ; vendors = hawkers,फेरीवाले ; wares = things for sale, बेचने का सामान ; indulge = enjoy,आनंद उठाना । Bar = piece, टुकड़ा ; marzipan = a sweet dish,मिठाई ; corn on the cob = maize, भुट्टा ; roasted =baked,भुना हुआ ; charcoal = coal made from wood,लकड़ी का कोयला ; brazier = Open grill to hold fire.अंगीठी ; pavement = side of the road, पटरी ; rubbed = buffed,रगड़ा ; lemon = a small citrus fruit,नीबू ; comics =story books with cartoons,कॉमिक्स ; nauseating =sickly,जी मितलाने वाली ; consider = think,सोचना ; route= way,रास्त ा; propelled = inspired, प्रेरित करना ; enthusiasm =zeal,जोश  ; per se =by itself,अपने –आप में ; exhausted =tired, थका हुआ ; homesick =yearning for home,घर के लिए तड़पन ा; pole = a long stick; डंड ा; protrude = jut Out,बाहर निकलना ; quills = long thorns,लंबे कांटे ;  porcupine =an animal,साही ; bamboo = a plant, बांस ; meditatively = thoughtfully,ध्यानमग्न होकर ; excessive = much, अधिक ; display = show, दिखाना ; occasionally = from time to time,समय –समय पर ; curiously = strangely, अजीब ढंग से ; offhanded = carefree,लापरवाही से ; incidental = by chance, संयोग से ; enterprise = work,कार्य ; pattern = style, शैली ; tear away = come away, चले आना ; universal = cosmic, सार्वभौमिक ; reed =a type, of wood, सरकंडा । Fingering =use of fingers,उंगलियों का प्रयोग ; drawn = attracted,आकर्षित होना ; specific = special,विशेष ; commonality = common points, साझी बातें ; mankind = humanity,मानवत ा; motive force = the power behind, प्रेरण ा; pause = stop,रुकन ा; affected = influenced,प्रभावित किया ; previous =former, early,पहले के ; abroad = out of the country, विदेश ; invest = endow, प्रदान करना ; significance = importance, महत्वपूर्ण I