4.5. Festivals of North East India - My English Book - Std 8 - Marathi and Semi-English Medium - Maharashtra Board

Chapter Information / पाठ परिचय

मराठी टीप: हा पाठ शालेय परीक्षेत येतो. हे पाठ्यपुस्तक इयत्ता ८ वी साठी आहे — MSBSHSE च्या मार्गदर्शक तत्त्वांनुसार तयार केलेले.

About the Author / लेखक परिचय

This informative chapter explains the beautiful festivals of the seven North-eastern states of India. It describes how different tribes celebrate their culture, agriculture, and new year with joy. It shows the importance of traditional music and dance in their lives.  

मराठी टीप: हा एक माहितीपूर्ण (Informative) पाठ आहे. यात ईशान्य भारतातील सात राज्यांच्या (Seven Sisters) सणांची आणि संस्कृतीची माहिती दिली आहे.

Summary / सारांश

The North-east region of India consists of seven states with diverse cultures. Almost all of their festivals are based on agriculture. The people celebrate different stages of farming, like sowing and harvesting, with traditional dances and unique music. For example, Assam celebrates Bihu, Meghalaya celebrates the Wangala festival, and Mizoram celebrates the Chapchar Kut. These festivals are a way to thank the gods for a good harvest and to ask for protection against calamities.  

मराठी सारांश: ईशान्य भारतात सात राज्ये आहेत आणि तिथली संस्कृती खूप वेगळी आहे. त्यांचे बहुतेक सण शेतीवर आधारित असतात. पीक पेरणी आणि कापणीच्या वेळी ते पारंपारिक नृत्य आणि संगीतासह उत्सव साजरे करतात. चांगल्या पिकासाठी देवाचे आभार मानणे आणि संकटांपासून रक्षण मागणे हा या सणांचा मुख्य हेतू असतो.

Key Facts / मुख्य मुद्दे

• FACT 1: The festivals in North-east India are mainly based on agriculture, and traditional music and dance are essential for every celebration.

  मराठी: ईशान्य भारतातील सण मुख्यत: शेतीवर आधारित असतात आणि त्यात नृत्य-संगीत आवश्यक असते.  

• FACT 2: Assam celebrates three different sets of Bihu to mark the beginning of harvest, completion of sowing, and the end of the harvest season.

  मराठी: आसाममध्ये शेतीच्या विविध टप्प्यांवर तीन वेळा 'बिहू' सण साजरा केला जातो.  

• FACT 3: Wangala is known as the hundred-drum festival and is celebrated by the Garos in Meghalaya.

  मराठी: मेघालयातील गारो लोक 'वांगला' हा शंभर-ढोलांचा सण साजरा करतात.  

• FACT 4: The Ningol Chakouba festival in Manipur binds and revives the relationship between married girls and their parents.

  मराठी: मणिपूरमधील 'निंगोल चाकौबा' सणामुळे विवाहित मुली आणि त्यांच्या पालकांमधील नाते घट्ट होते.  

Key Data Table / महत्त्वाची माहिती:

Central Theme and Values / केंद्रीय भाव आणि मूल्ये

Theme Table / विषय सारणी

Values / मूल्ये

• Gratitude (कृतज्ञता): The people show gratitude by thanking the gods for a good harvest and prosperity.  

• Community Spirit (एकता आणि सहकार्य): In places like Tripura, all the people join in the celebrations together.  

Central Message / केंद्रीय संदेश

Festivals are very important because they preserve our oral history, encourage cultural talent, and keep people connected to nature and their traditions. मराठी टीप: सण आपली संस्कृती, कला आणि निसर्गाशी असलेले नाते जपण्याचे काम करतात.  

Vocabulary in Context / शब्दसंग्रह

Practice Questions / सराव प्रश्न

The questions for Types 1 to 6 are based on this extract from the chapter: "Blessed with lush greenery... attract visitors and locals alike in large numbers."

TYPE 1 — True/False (1M each)

1. State True or False: 'Bihu is the chief festival of Assam.'

   Answer: True  

2. State True or False: 'The Bihu festival is celebrated by only one religion.' Answer: False  

3. State True or False: 'The pepa is a wind instrument made from a buffalo horn.' Answer: True  

4. State True or False: 'The Bihu dance is performed only by young men.' Answer: False  

5. State True or False: 'The songs of Bihu have been newly written by modern singers.' Answer: False  

मराठी टीप: उताऱ्यातील माहितीवरूनच चूक की बरोबर ते सांगा.

TYPE 2 — Choose the Correct Alternative (1M each)

1. Which mighty river is mentioned in the state of Assam? (A) Ganga (B) Brahmaputra (C) Yamuna (D) Godavari

   Answer: (B)  

2. How many different sets of Bihu are celebrated? (A) two (B) three (C) four (D) five Answer: (B)  

3. What kind of instrument is the 'dhol'? (A) a wind instrument (B) similar to a drum (C) a bamboo clapper (D) a string instrument

   Answer: (B)  

4. The Bihu dance is famous for its... (A) slow motion (B) brisk steps (C) acrobatic jumps (D) colourful masks

   Answer: (B)  

5. What attracts visitors and locals in large numbers? (A) The mighty river (B) Bihu competitions (C) lush greenery (D) buffalo horns

   Answer: (B)  

मराठी टीप: चुकीचे पर्याय ओळखून उताऱ्यानुसार बरोबर उत्तरापर्यंत पोहोचा.

TYPE 3 — Answer in One Word/Phrase (1M each)

1. What is the chief festival of Assam? Answer: Bihu  

2. Who performs the Bihu dance? Answer: Young men and women  

3. Which instrument is made from a buffalo horn? Answer: The pepa  

4. How have the Bihu songs been passed on to the later generations? Answer: Handed down  

मराठी टीप: उत्तर एका शब्दात किंवा वाक्यांशात द्या.

TYPE 4 — Complete the Sentences (1M each)

1. Complete the sentence: 'Blessed with lush ______ and the mighty river Brahmaputra, the people of Assam have a lot to celebrate.'

   Answer: greenery  

2. Complete the sentence: 'The Bihu dance is a ______ one performed by both young men and women.'

   Answer: joyous  

3. Complete the sentence: 'Unusual ______ provide traditional music for the dance.' Answer: instruments  

4. Complete the sentence: 'The three different sets of Bihu mark the beginning of the ______ season.'

   Answer: harvesting  

मराठी टीप: उताऱ्यातील अचूक शब्द शोधून वाक्य पूर्ण करा.

TYPE 5 — Answer in 2-3 Sentences (2M each)

1. Why do the people of Assam have a lot to celebrate?

   Answer: The people of Assam have a lot to celebrate because their state is blessed with beautiful nature. They have lush greenery and the mighty river Brahmaputra. मराठी टीप: आसाममध्ये निसर्गाची देणगी (हिरवळ आणि ब्रह्मपुत्रा नदी) असल्यामुळे त्यांना साजरे करण्यासाठी अनेक गोष्टी आहेत.  

   
   

2. What do the three different sets of Bihu mark?

   Answer: The three sets of Bihu mark important stages of farming. They mark the beginning of the harvesting season, the completion of sowing, and the end of the harvest season.

   मराठी टीप: हे तीन सण शेतीचे तीन टप्पे (पेरणी पूर्ण होणे, कापणी सुरू होणे आणि कापणी संपणे) दर्शवतात.  

   
   

3. Describe the Bihu dance.

   Answer: The Bihu dance is a very joyous dance performed by young men and women. It is noted for its quick and brisk steps along with fast hand movements. मराठी टीप: हे नृत्य तरुण-तरुणी आनंदाने करतात आणि ते चपळ पावले (brisk steps) व हातांच्या हालचालींसाठी प्रसिद्ध आहे.

     

4. Name the traditional instruments used in the Bihu dance.

   Answer: Unusual traditional instruments are used for the Bihu dance. These include the dhol, the pepa (made from a buffalo horn), cymbals, and a bamboo clapper. मराठी टीप: ढोल, पेपा (म्हशीच्या शिंगापासून बनवलेले), झांज (cymbals) आणि बांबूच्या टाळ्या ही वाद्ये वापरली जातात.  

   
   

5. Who celebrates the Bihu festival in Assam?

   Answer: Bihu is the chief festival of Assam, and it brings everyone together. It is celebrated by people of all religions, castes, or tribes.

   मराठी टीप: जाती-धर्माचा भेद न मानता सर्व लोक हा सण एकत्र येऊन साजरा करतात.  

   
   

TYPE 6 — Answer in 4-5 Sentences (3M each)

1. Explain the importance of Bihu competitions in Assam.

   Answer: The Bihu festival is very popular in Assam. During this time, Bihu dance competitions are held all over the state. These competitions keep the old traditions alive. They are so famous that they attract both locals and outside visitors in very large numbers to enjoy the culture.

   मराठी टीप: १) आसाममध्ये सर्वत्र बिहू नृत्याच्या स्पर्धा होतात. २) यामुळे संस्कृती टिकून राहते. ३) या स्पर्धा पाहण्यासाठी स्थानिक आणि बाहेरचे लोक मोठ्या संख्येने येतात.  

   
   

2. Describe the music and songs used in the Bihu festival.

   Answer: Music is a very important part of the Bihu festival. Traditional songs are sung, which have been handed down through many generations. The music is provided by unique instruments like the dhol, cymbals, and a bamboo clapper. They also use the pepa, which is a special wind instrument made from a buffalo horn. मराठी टीप: १) बिहूची गाणी परंपरेने पुढच्या पिढीकडे आली आहेत. २) ढोल, बांबू आणि झांज वापरतात. ३) म्हशीच्या शिंगापासून बनवलेले 'पेपा' नावाचे खास वाद्य वापरले जाते.  

   
   

3. How does agriculture play a role in the celebration of Bihu?

   Answer: Agriculture is the main reason for celebrating Bihu. The festival is divided into three parts based on the farming cycle. People celebrate when the sowing is completed. They celebrate again at the beginning of the harvest and finally when the harvest season ends to thank nature.

   मराठी टीप: १) बिहू सण पूर्णपणे शेतीवर अवलंबून आहे. २) पेरणी झाल्यावर आणि कापणी सुरू होताना/संपताना असे तीन वेगवेगळ्या वेळी हे सण साजरे करतात.  

   
   

TYPE 7 — Word Meanings / Vocabulary in Context (1M each)

(Questions are based on the whole chapter)

1. The word 'diverse' means...

   Answer: of great variety

   मराठी अर्थ: विविध किंवा अनेक प्रकारची

   मराठी टीप: जसे ईशान्य भारतात अनेक प्रकारच्या संस्कृती (diverse cultures) आहेत. 

    

2. The word 'sumptuous' means...

   Answer: very grand

   मराठी अर्थ: अतिशय भव्य किंवा स्वादिष्ट

   मराठी टीप: मणिपूरमधील महिलांना दिले जाणारे भव्य जेवण (sumptuous feast).  

   
   

3. The word 'calamities' means...

   Answer: disasters

   मराठी अर्थ: संकटे किंवा आपत्ती

   मराठी टीप: पूर किंवा भूकंपासारख्या नैसर्गिक आपत्ती. 

    

4. The phrase 'handed down' means...

   Answer: passed on to a later generation

   मराठी अर्थ: परंपरेने एका पिढीकडून दुसऱ्या पिढीकडे आलेले

   मराठी टीप: जुनी गाणी आणि गोष्टी ज्या आपण आपल्या पूर्वजांकडून शिकतो.  

   
   

5. The word 'revive' means...

   Answer: refresh and energize

   मराठी अर्थ: पुनरुज्जीवित करणे किंवा नाते पुन्हा ताजे करणे

   मराठी टीप: सणांमुळे माणसांमधील दुरावलेली नाती पुन्हा ताजी होतात. 

    

TYPE 8 — Personal Response (2M each)

(Questions are based on the whole chapter)

1. Which festival from North-East India did you find the most interesting and why? Answer: I found the 'Wangala' festival of Meghalaya very interesting. It is called the hundred-drum festival, and I can imagine how energetic and rhythmic it must sound when so many men beat drums together.

   मराठी टीप: तुम्हाला या पाठातील कोणता सण सर्वात जास्त आवडला आणि का ते सोप्या इंग्रजीत लिहा. (उदा. वांगला किंवा बिहू).  

   
   

2. Why do you think music and dance are important in any festival?

   Answer: I think music and dance bring people together and spread joy. They are the best ways to express our happiness, forget our daily worries, and celebrate our traditional culture with our community.

   मराठी टीप: संगीत आणि नृत्यामुळे लोक एकत्र येतात आणि आनंद द्विगुणित होतो. (स्वतःच्या शब्दांत कोणतेही योग्य कारण द्या). 

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