FESTIVALS OF NORTH-EAST INDIA

The North-East India is a collective name for the eastern-most parts of India representing both a geographic and administrative division of the country. ଉତ୍ତର-ପୂର୍ବ ଭାରତ, ଭାରତର ଉଭୟ ଭୌଗୋଳିକ ଏବଂ ପ୍ରଶାସନିକ ବିଭାଜନକୁ ପ୍ରତିନିଧିତ୍ୱ କରୁଥିବା ଭାରତର ଅଧିକାଂଶ ଅଞ୍ଚଳର ଏକ ସାମୂହିକ ନାମ ଅଟେ ।

The region comprises eight states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura. ଅରୁଣାଚଳ ପ୍ରଦେଶ, ଆସାମ, ମଣିପୁର, ମେଘାଳୟ, ମିଜୋରାମ, ସିକ୍କିମ୍ ଏବଂ ତ୍ରିପୁରା ଭଳି ୮ଟି ରାଜ୍ୟକୁ ନେଇ ଏହି ଅଞ୍ଚଳ ଗଠିତ।

The contiguous seven states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura are commonly described as the “Land of Seven Sisters” because of their interdependence on each other. ଅରୁଣାଚଳ ପ୍ରଦେଶ, ଆସାମ, ମଣିପୁର, ମେଘାଳୟ, ମିଜୋରାମ ଏବଂ ନାଗାଲାଣ୍ଡ ଭଳି ସାତଟି ରାଜ୍ୟ ପରସ୍ପର ଉପରେ ନିର୍ଭରଶୀଳତା କାରଣରୁ ସାଧାରଣତଃ "ସାତ ଭଉଣୀଙ୍କ ଦେଶ" ଭାବରେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରାଯାଏ ।

On the other hand, Sikkim is geographically not a contiguous part of the northeast region. It is separated from the northeast by Siligudi corridor. So it is not included in the “Land of Seven Sisters”. However, Sikkim has happily taken up the role of being a little brother to the amazing seven sisters! ଅପରପକ୍ଷେ, ସିକ୍କିମ ଭୌଗୋଳିକ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରୁ ଉତ୍ତର-ପୂର୍ବ ଅଞ୍ଚଳର ଏକ ସଂଲଗ୍ନ ଅଂଶ ନୁହେଁ। ସିଲିଗୁଡି କରିଡର ଦ୍ୱାରା ଏହା ଉତ୍ତର-ପୂର୍ବ ଦିଗରୁ ଅଲଗା ହୋଇଛି । ତେଣୁ ଏହାକୁ 'ସାତ ଭଉଣୀଙ୍କ ଦେଶ'ରେ ଅନ୍ତର୍ଭୁକ୍ତ କରାଯାଇନାହିଁ। ତେବେ ସିକ୍କିମ୍ ଏହି ଚମତ୍କାର ସାତ ଭଉଣୀଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଛୋଟ ଭାଇ ଭୂମିକାକୁ ଖୁସିରେ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିଛି।

The north-eastern regions of India, is a place of diverse cultures. The different communities and tribes of northeast India celebrate their unique festivals with great enthusiasm and joy. Many of these festivals are based on agriculture and no celebration is complete without traditional music and dance. ଭାରତର ଉତ୍ତର-ପୂର୍ବାଞ୍ଚଳ, ବିବିଧ ସଂସ୍କୃତିର ଏକ ସ୍ଥାନ । ଉତ୍ତର-ପୂର୍ବ ଭାରତର ବିଭିନ୍ନ ସମ୍ପ୍ରଦାୟ ଏବଂ ଜନଜାତି ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଅନନ୍ୟ ପର୍ବକୁ ବହୁତ ଉତ୍ସାହ ଏବଂ ଆନନ୍ଦସହିତ ପାଳନ କରନ୍ତି | ଏମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଅନେକ ପର୍ବ କୃଷି ଉପରେ ଆଧାରିତ ଏବଂ ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ଏବଂ ନୃତ୍ୟ ବିନା କୌଣସି ଉତ୍ସବ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହୁଏ ନାହିଁ ।

Blessed with lush greenery and the mighty River Brahmaputra, the people of Assam have a lot to celebrate. Bihus are among the major cultural festivals of Assam. ସବୁଜିମା ଏବଂ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁତ୍ର ନଦୀରେ ଭରପୂର ଆସାମବାସୀଙ୍କୁ ବହୁତ କିଛି ପାଳନ କରିବାର ଅଛି । ବିହୁ ଆସାମର ପ୍ରମୁଖ ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ ପର୍ବ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଅନ୍ୟତମ ।

They are a series of three prominent festivals – Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu. Rongali Bihu also known as Bohag Bihu is celebrated in mid-April with the onset of spring and the beginning of the sowing season. It also marks the start of a New Year there. Kongali or Kaati Bihu is celebrated in mid-October when the fields are lush but the barns are empty. ଏହା ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରମୁଖ ପର୍ବର ଶୃଙ୍ଖଳା - ରଙ୍ଗାଲି ବିହୁ, କୋଙ୍ଗାଲି ବିହୁ ଏବଂ ଭୋଗାଲି ବିହୁ । ବସନ୍ତ ଋତୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେବା ସହ ବୁଣାଋତୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେବା ସହିତ ଏପ୍ରିଲ ମଧ୍ୟଭାଗରେ ବୋହଗ ବିହୁ ନାମରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ପରିଚିତ ରଙ୍ଗାଲି ବିହୁ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ । ଏହା ସହିତ ସେଠାରେ ନୂଆ ବର୍ଷର ଶୁଭାରମ୍ଭ ମଧ୍ୟ ହୋଇଥାଏ। କୋଙ୍ଗାଲି ବା କାଟି ବିହୁ ଅକ୍ଟୋବର ମଧ୍ୟ ଭାଗରେ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ ଯେତେବେଳେ କ୍ଷେତ ସବୁଜ ହୋଇଯାଏ କିନ୍ତୁ ଖଳା ଖାଲି ଥାଏ ।

 On this occasion, people light lamps and pray to God for a thriving harvest season and to guide souls to heaven. Bhogali, called Magh Bihu is observed in mid-January. The festival symbolises the end of the harvest season. It is a thanksgiving when the crops have been harvested and the barns are full. ଏହି ଅବସରରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ଦୀପ ଜାଳି ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଏକ ସମୃଦ୍ଧ ଅମଳ ଋତୁ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରିବା ସହ ଆତ୍ମାମାନଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗକୁ ମାର୍ଗଦର୍ଶନ କରିଥାନ୍ତି । ଜାନୁଆରୀ ମଧ୍ୟଭାଗରେ ମାଘ ବିହୁ ନାମକ ଭୋଗାଲି ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ । ଏହି ପର୍ବ ଅମଳ ଋତୁର ଶେଷର ପ୍ରତୀକ ଅଟେ । ଯେତେବେଳେ ଫସଲ ଅମଳ ହୋଇସାରିଛି ଏବଂ ଖଳା ଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଭର୍ତ୍ତି ହୋଇଛି ସେତେବେଳେ ଏହା ଏକ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଅଟେ ।

Any Bihu celebration is considered incomplete without melodious folk songs and traditional dance. The Bihu dance is joyous one. Young men and women get in their best traditional attire and perform the dance with brisk steps and hand movement. ସୁମଧୁର ଲୋକଗୀତ ଏବଂ ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ନୃତ୍ୟ ବିନା କୌଣସି ବିହୁ ଉତ୍ସବ ଅସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବୋଲି ବିବେଚନା କରାଯାଏ । ବିହୁ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଆନନ୍ଦଦାୟକ ଅଟେ । ଯୁବକ ଓ ଯୁବତୀମାନେ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ସର୍ବୋତ୍ତମ ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ପୋଷାକ ପରିଧାନ କରି ଦ୍ରୁତ ଷ୍ଟେପ୍ ଏବଂ ହାତ ଚାଳନା ସହିତ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରନ୍ତି ।

The tune of traditional musical instruments including cymbals, bamboo clapper , dhol which is similar to a drum and the pepa which is a wind instrument made of buffalo horn add different kind of flavour to the dance as well as the atmosphere. The songs have been handed down through many generations. ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ବାଦ୍ୟଯନ୍ତ୍ର ଯଥା ସିମ୍ବଲ, ବାଉଁଶ, ଢୋଲ, ଢୋଲ ଯାହା ଡ୍ରମ୍ ସଦୃଶ ଏବଂ ମଇଁଷି ଶିଙ୍ଗରେ ନିର୍ମିତ ପବନ ଯନ୍ତ୍ର ପେପା ନୃତ୍ୟ ଓ ପରିବେଶରେ ଭିନ୍ନ ପ୍ରକାରର ସ୍ୱାଦ ଆଣିଥାଏ । ଅନେକ ପିଢ଼ି ଧରି ଏହି ଗୀତଗୁଡ଼ିକ ରଚନା କରାଯାଇଛି।

Lying farther north in the mountain region of the Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh is one of India’s most remote and picturesque locations with lush green paddy fields and pine clad mountains. Nature has provided the people of this region with a deep feeling of beauty which can be seen in their festivities, songs and dances. ହିମାଳୟର ପର୍ବତ ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଉତ୍ତରରେ ଅବସ୍ଥିତ ଅରୁଣାଚଳ ପ୍ରଦେଶ ଭାରତର ସବୁଠାରୁ ଦୁର୍ଗମ ଏବଂ ମନୋରମ ସ୍ଥାନ ମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଅନ୍ୟତମ ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ସବୁଜ ଧାନ କ୍ଷେତ ଏବଂ ପାଇନ୍ ଭରା ପର୍ବତ ରହିଛି । ପ୍ରକୃତି ଏହି ଅଂଚଳର ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ଏକ ଗଭୀର ସୌନ୍ଦର୍ଯ୍ୟର ଅନୁଭବ ଦେଇଛି ଯାହା ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଉତ୍ସବ, ଗୀତ ଏବଂ ନୃତ୍ୟରେ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ମିଳିଥାଏ ।

The new-year festival, Losar, is perhaps the most important festival in certain areas of Arunachal Pradesh. On this occasion, people clean their homes and discard the old to bring in the New Year. ଅରୁଣାଚଳ ପ୍ରଦେଶର କେତେକ ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ନୂଆବର୍ଷର ପର୍ବ ଲୋସାର ବୋଧହୁଏ ସବୁଠାରୁ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ପର୍ବ । ଏହି ଅବସରରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ନିଜ ଘର ସଫା କରନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ପୁରୁଣାକୁ ତ୍ୟାଗ କରି ନୂଆ ବର୍ଷଆଣିଥାନ୍ତି ।

Mopin is the harvest festival of the Galo tribe. People worship goddess Mopin and pray to drive away evil spirits and for acquiring prosperity and wealth. ମୋପିନ୍ ହେଉଛି ଗାଲୋ ଜନଜାତିର ଅମଳ ପର୍ବ । ଲୋକମାନେ ଦେବୀ ମୋପିନଙ୍କୁ ପୂଜା କରନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ମନ୍ଦ ଆତ୍ମାମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦୂର କରିବା ଏବଂ ସମୃଦ୍ଧି ଏବଂ ଧନ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରନ୍ତି |

An indigenous folk dance called Popir is performed by the young women. An iconic outdoor musical festival of Arunachal Pradesh is the Ziro festival of music held at Ziro in September every year. The music congregation features a combination of 30 indie bands from across the world and top folk acts from across northeast India. ଯୁବତୀମାନଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ପପିର ନାମକ ଏକ ଦେଶୀ ଲୋକନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରାଯାଏ । ଅରୁଣାଚଳ ପ୍ରଦେଶର ଏକ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ଆଉଟଡୋର ମ୍ୟୁଜିକାଲ ଫେଷ୍ଟିଭାଲ ହେଉଛି ପ୍ରତିବର୍ଷ ସେପ୍ଟେମ୍ବର ମାସରେ ଜିରୋଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ହେଉଥିବା ସଙ୍ଗୀତର ଜିରୋ ପର୍ବ । ଏହି ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ସମାରୋହରେ ବିଶ୍ୱର ୩୦ଟି ଇଣ୍ଡିବ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ ଏବଂ ଉତ୍ତର-ପୂର୍ବ ଭାରତର ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଲୋକକଳା ପରିବେଷଣ କରାଯାଇଛି।

A charming festival of Manipur- Ningol Chakouba binds and revives the relationships between married girls and their parents. The women and their children are given a sumptuous feast and gifts. During Cheiraoba , the Manipur new-year festival in April, people clean and decorate the houses and prepare special festive dishes. As part of the ritual, the villagers climb the nearest hilltops for they believe that this will help them rise to a higher plane in this life. ମଣିପୁରର ଏକ ଆକର୍ଷଣୀୟ ପର୍ବ ନିଙ୍ଗୋଲ ଚାକୁବା ବିବାହିତା ଝିଅ ଏବଂ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପିତାମାତାଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ସମ୍ପର୍କକୁ ବାନ୍ଧି ରଖିଥାଏ ଏବଂ ପୁନର୍ଜୀବିତ କରିଥାଏ । ମହିଳା ଏବଂ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କୁ ଏକ ଭବ୍ୟ ଭୋଜି ଏବଂ ଉପହାର ଦିଆଯାଏ । ଏପ୍ରିଲ ରେ ମଣିପୁର ନବବର୍ଷ ପର୍ବ ଚେଇରାଓବା ସମୟରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ଘର ସଫା କରନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ସଜାଇଥାନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ପର୍ବ ବ୍ୟଞ୍ଜନ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରନ୍ତି । ଏହି ରୀତିନୀତି ଅନୁଯାୟୀ, ଗ୍ରାମବାସୀମାନେ ନିକଟସ୍ଥ ପାହାଡ଼ ଉପରେ ଚଢ଼ିଯାଆନ୍ତି କାରଣ ସେମାନେ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରନ୍ତି ଯେ ଏହା ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଏହି ଜୀବନରେ ଉଚ୍ଚ ସ୍ତରରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିବାରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବ |

The Spring Festival or Chapchar Kut is an important occasion, mostly celebrated in Mizoram. Men and women of all ages, wearing traditional dresses and headgear, perform folk dances and sing traditional songs on this occasion. Drums, gongs and cymbals add to the festive air!

ବସନ୍ତ ପର୍ବ ବା ଚାପଚର କୁଟ ହେଉଛି ଏକ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅବସର, ଯାହା ମୁଖ୍ୟତଃ ମିଜୋରାମରେ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ । ଏହି ଅବସରରେ ସବୁ ବୟସର ପୁରୁଷ ଓ ମହିଳା ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ପୋଷାକ ଓ ହେଡଗିୟର ପିନ୍ଧି ଲୋକନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବା ସହ ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ଗୀତ ଗାଇଥାନ୍ତି। ଡ୍ରମ୍, ଗୋଙ୍ଗ୍ ଓ ସିମ୍ବାଲ୍ ପର୍ବପର୍ବାଣୀର ବାୟୁକୁ ବଢ଼ାଇଥାଏ!

Wangala or the Hundred-drum Festival is the most important festival celebrated by the Garos in the villages of Meghalaya. The festival is named so because 100 drums are beaten together during the celebration. ୱାଙ୍ଗାଲା ବା ହଣ୍ଡ୍ରେଡ୍ଡ୍ରମ୍ ଫେଷ୍ଟିଭାଲ ହେଉଛି ମେଘାଳୟର ଗ୍ରାମଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ଗାରୋମାନଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ପାଳନ କରାଯାଉଥିବା ସବୁଠାରୁ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ପର୍ବ । ଉତ୍ସବ ସମୟରେ ଏକାଠି ୧୦୦ଟି ଡ୍ରମ୍ ପିଟା ଯାଉଥିବାରୁ  ଏହିପର୍ବର ଏପରି ନାମକରଣ କରାଯାଇଛି।

This harvest festival is celebrated in November to mark the end of hard work which naturally brings a good harvest. The celebration features beating of drums, blowing horns and traditional dancing. The dance during the festival has two parallel lines – one of men and the other of women, clad in their festive costumes. While the men beat the drums, the lines move forward together in a rhythmic manner. କଠିନ ପରିଶ୍ରମର ଅନ୍ତ ପାଇଁ ଏହି ଅମଳ ପର୍ବ ନଭେମ୍ବରରେ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ ଯାହା ସ୍ୱାଭାବିକ ଭାବରେ ଭଲ ଅମଳ ଆଣିଥାଏ | ଏହି ଉତ୍ସବରେ ଢୋଲ ବଜାଇବା, ଶିଙ୍ଗ ବଜାଇବା ଏବଂ ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରାଯାଇଥାଏ । ପର୍ବ ସମୟରେ ନୃତ୍ୟରେ ଦୁଇଟି ସମାନ୍ତରାଳ ରେଖା ରହିଥାଏ  - ଗୋଟିଏ ପୁରୁଷ ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ୟଟି ମହିଳାମାନଙ୍କର, ସେମାନେ  ଉତ୍ସବପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧିଥାନ୍ତି । ପୁରୁଷମାନେ ଡ୍ରମ୍ ବଜାଉଥିବା ବେଳେ ଧାଡ଼ିଗୁଡ଼ିକ ତାଳବଦ୍ଧ ଢଙ୍ଗରେ ଏକାଠି ଆଗେଇ ଯାଆନ୍ତି।

Karachi Puja of Tripura is a weeklong festival marked by animal sacrifice and worshipping fourteen gods as instructed by Lord Shiva. The festival takes place in the month of July in old Agartala or Puran Heveli, where there is a temple that houses of 14 deities. Thousands of people throng Tripura during the festival and enjoy cultural programmes and fairs. ତ୍ରିପୁରାର କରାଚି ପୂଜା ହେଉଛି ଏକ ସପ୍ତାହବ୍ୟାପୀ ପର୍ବ ଯାହା ଭଗବାନ ଶିବଙ୍କ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦେଶ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ପଶୁ ବଳି ଏବଂ ଚଉଦ ଦେବତାଙ୍କୁ ପୂଜା କରାଯାଇଥାଏ । ଏହି ପର୍ବ ଜୁଲାଇ ମାସରେ ପୁରୁଣା ଅଗରତାଲା ବା ପୁରଣ ହେଭେଲିରେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ହୁଏ, ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ଏକ ମନ୍ଦିର ଅଛି ଯେଉଁଥିରେ ୧୪ ଜଣ ଦେବତାଙ୍କ ମନ୍ଦିର ରହିଛି । ଏହି ପର୍ବ ସମୟରେ ହଜାର ହଜାର ଲୋକ ତ୍ରିପୁରାରେ ଭିଡ଼ ଜମାନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମ ଏବଂ ମେଳାକୁ ଉପଭୋଗ କରନ୍ତି ।

The main features of festivals in Tripura is that all the people join in the celebrations. Many of the dances performed during some of the festivals represent hunting, food-gathering and various other activities. ତ୍ରିପୁରାର ପର୍ବପର୍ବାଣୀର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ବୈଶିଷ୍ଟ୍ୟ ହେଉଛି ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକ ଏହି ଉତ୍ସବରେ ଯୋଗ ଦିଅନ୍ତି । କେତେକ ପର୍ବପର୍ବାଣୀରେ ପରିବେଷିତ ହେଉଥିବା ଅନେକ ଶିକାର, ଖାଦ୍ୟ ସଂଗ୍ରହ ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକଳାପକୁ ପ୍ରତିପାଦିତ କରିଥାଏ ।

Nagaland consists of different groups of people who are unique in their customs and traditions that they celebrate. Songs and Dances form the soul of these festivals. Celebration of these festivals is an effective means of preserving and passing down their oral history. ନାଗାଲାଣ୍ଡରେ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ବର୍ଗର ଲୋକ ଅଛନ୍ତି ଯେଉଁମାନେ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ରୀତିନୀତି ଏବଂ ପରମ୍ପରାରେ ଅନନ୍ୟ ଅଟନ୍ତି ଯାହାସେମାନେ ପାଳନ କରନ୍ତି | ଗୀତ ଏବଂ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଏହି ପର୍ବଗୁଡ଼ିକର ଆତ୍ମା ଅଟେ | ଏହି ପର୍ବ ପାଳନ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମୌଖିକ ଇତିହାସକୁ ସଂରକ୍ଷିତ ରଖିବା ଏବଂ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରିବାର ଏକ ପ୍ରଭାବଶାଳୀ ମାଧ୍ୟମ |

A major Naga festival is Moastu, celebrated mainly in the villages after the sowing season. Dressed in colourful clothes and headgear decorated with feathers and wild boar tusks, the people in villages dance to the traditional music. ଏକ ପ୍ରମୁଖ ନାଗା ପର୍ବ ହେଉଛି ମୋସ୍ତୁ, ଯାହା ମୁଖ୍ୟତଃ ବୁଣିବା ଋତୁ ପରେ ଗ୍ରାମରେ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ । ରଙ୍ଗୀନ ପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧି, ପଙ୍ଖା ଓ ଜଙ୍ଗଲୀ ଘୁଷୁରି ଦାନ୍ତରେ ସଜ୍ଜିତ ହେଡଗିୟର ପିନ୍ଧି ଗାଁର ଲୋକମାନେ ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ସଙ୍ଗୀତରେ ନୃତ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତି।

One of India’s most colourful and charming festival is Nagaland’s Hornbill festival. Named after the state’s most admired bird, the event showcases the cultural heritage of 16 tribes there. It is a 10-day long cultural dance and sporting events held in December every year. Men, clad in full warrior costume, show off their hunting and warring skills. ଭାରତର ସବୁଠାରୁ ରଙ୍ଗୀନ ଏବଂ ଆକର୍ଷଣୀୟ ପର୍ବ ହେଉଛି ନାଗାଲାଣ୍ଡର ହର୍ନବିଲ ପର୍ବ । ରାଜ୍ୟର ସବୁଠାରୁ ପ୍ରଶଂସିତ ପକ୍ଷୀଙ୍କ ନାମରେ ନାମିତ ଏହି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ସେଠାକାର ୧୬ଟି ଜନଜାତିର ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ ଐତିହ୍ୟକୁ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶିତ କରାଯାଇଛି। ପ୍ରତିବର୍ଷ ଡିସେମ୍ବର ମାସରେ ୧୦ ଦିନ ଧରି ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଓ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା ପ୍ରତିଯୋଗିତା ଆୟୋଜନ କରାଯାଏ। ଯୋଦ୍ଧା ପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧି ଥିବା ପୁରୁଷମାନେ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଶିକାର ଏବଂ ଯୁଦ୍ଧ କୌଶଳ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନ କରନ୍ତି ।

Situated in the eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is one of the most beautiful states of India. The Sikkim festivals are celebrated with a lot of pump and show and as per the Buddhist calendar. ପୂର୍ବ ହିମାଳୟରେ ଅବସ୍ଥିତ ସିକ୍କିମ ଭାରତର ସବୁଠାରୁ ସୁନ୍ଦର ରାଜ୍ୟ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଅନ୍ୟତମ । ସିକ୍କିମ୍ ପର୍ବ ବହୁତ ଆଗ୍ରହ ଏବଂ ଶୋ' ସହିତ ଏବଂ ବୌଦ୍ଧ କ୍ୟାଲେଣ୍ଡର ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ ।

Throughout this festivals people take part in lively dances and music. Saga Dawa is an amazing Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon day in Tibetan lunar month between May and June. ଏହି ପର୍ବରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ଜୀବନ୍ତ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଏବଂ ସଙ୍ଗୀତରେ ଅଂଶଗ୍ରହଣ କରନ୍ତି | ସାଗା ଦାୱା ହେଉଛି ଏକ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟଜନକ ବୌଦ୍ଧ ପର୍ବ ଯାହା ତିବ୍ବତୀୟ ଚନ୍ଦ୍ର ମାସରେ ମେ ରୁ ଜୁନ୍ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା ଦିନ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ ।

On this sacred day people visit the monasteries, offer prayers, water, incense sticks and butter lamps. The festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha. ଏହି ପବିତ୍ର ଦିନରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ମଠକୁ ଯାଇ ପୂଜାର୍ଚ୍ଚନା, ଜଳ, ଧୂପକାଠି ଓ ବଟର ଦୀପ ଅର୍ପଣ କରିଥାନ୍ତି। ଏହି ପର୍ବ ଭଗବାନ ବୁଦ୍ଧଙ୍କ ଜନ୍ମ, ଜ୍ଞାନ ଏବଂ ମୃତ୍ୟୁକୁ ସ୍ମରଣ କରେ ।

Losoong is celebrated at the end of the harvest season. Locals wearing brightly coloured masks, playing fascinating musical instruments perform Chaam dance. Archery contest is also held along with feasting and other celebrations. Tibetan New Year, Losar is marked with immense joy, extensive meals and merriment. It is usually held in February. Tihaar is the festival of light. It is somewhat like Diwali. ଅମଳ ଋତୁ ଶେଷରେ ଲୋସୁଙ୍ଗ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ । ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଳ ରଙ୍ଗର ମାସ୍କ ପିନ୍ଧି ଆକର୍ଷଣୀୟ ବାଦ୍ୟଯନ୍ତ୍ର ବଜାଇ ସ୍ଥାନୀୟ ଲୋକେ ଚାମ୍ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ଭୋଜି ଓ ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ଉତ୍ସବ ସହିତ ତୀରନ୍ଦାଜି ପ୍ରତିଯୋଗିତା ମଧ୍ୟ ଆୟୋଜନ କରାଯାଏ । ତିବ୍ବତୀୟ ନବବର୍ଷ, ଲୋସାର ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଆନନ୍ଦ, ବ୍ୟାପକ ଭୋଜନ ଏବଂ ଆନନ୍ଦରେ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ । ଏହା ସାଧାରଣତଃ ଫେବୃଆରୀମାସରେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ହୋଇଥାଏ । ତିହାର ହେଉଛି ଆଲୋକର ପର୍ବ । ଏହା କିଛି ମାତ୍ରାରେ ଦୀପାବଳି ଭଳି।

Hardly a month passes in any of the eight states without a festival or two. Most of them have a religious importance or significance, as the people offer thanks to the gods for a good harvest or prosperity, or ask for protection against calamities. But these celebrations also help encourage cultural and artistic activities and bring out the natural talent of the people. ସାତଟି ରାଜ୍ୟମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଗୋଟିଏ କିମ୍ବା ଦୁଇଟି ପର୍ବ ବିନା ମାତ୍ର ଗୋଟିଏ ମାସ ବିତିଯାଏ । ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଅଧିକାଂଶର ଧାର୍ମିକ ମହତ୍ତ୍ୱ ବା ମହତ୍ତ୍ୱ ରହିଛି, କାରଣ ଲୋକମାନେ ଉତ୍ତମ ଅମଳ କିମ୍ବା ସମୃଦ୍ଧି ପାଇଁ ଦେବତାଙ୍କୁ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଅର୍ପଣ କରନ୍ତି କିମ୍ବା ବିପର୍ଯ୍ୟୟରୁ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରନ୍ତି । କିନ୍ତୁ ଏହି ଉତ୍ସବଗୁଡ଼ିକ ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ ଓ କଳାତ୍ମକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକଳାପକୁ ପ୍ରୋତ୍ସାହିତ କରିବା ସହ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାକୃତିକ ପ୍ରତିଭାକୁ ସାମ୍ନାକୁ ଆଣିବାରେ ସହାୟକ ହୋଇଥାଏ।

NOTES & GLOSSARY

region: one of the areas of a country having its own customs/government. (ଅଞ୍ଚଳ)

comprise: formed of (ଗଠିତ)

contiguous: touching, sharing the boundaries with others

interdependence: depending on each other, ପରସ୍ପର ନିର୍ଭରଶୀଳ

Corridor: a long narrow strip of land that follows the course of an important road, ଘର ଆଗରେ ଥିବା ଖୋଲା ଜାଗା  

amazing: Wonderful, ଚମତ୍କାର

Culture: the habits, traditions and beliefs of a country, ସଂସ୍କୃତି

traditional: following older methods, ପାରମ୍ପରିକ

enthusiasm: great eagerness, ଉତ୍ସାହ

Lush: growing very thickly and well, ଘଞ୍ଚ ସବୁଜ

Mark: Celebrate

Brisk: quick and energetic, ଦ୍ରୁତ ଗତିରେ

cymbal: one pair of round metal plates used as a musical instrument, ଝାଂଜ

bamboo clapper: a traditional Chinese /Burmese percussion instrument made with boards of bamboo, ଦାସ କାଠିଆ

generation: all the people in a family, group or country who are born at about the same time, ପିଢ଼ି

picturesque: a place very attractive or charming to look at, ମନୋରମ

discard: to throw something away that you no longer want or need, ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାଖ୍ୟାନ

prosperity: a state of being successful, especially with money

congregation: a group of people meeting together to worship, ସମାବେଶ

feature: to include some means or something as an important part, ବୈଶିଷ୍ଟ୍ୟ

iconic: symbolic , ସଂକେତ

indie: a pop group not belonging to company, ନୁର୍ତ୍ୟ ଦଳ

revive: to make something past exist again, renew, ପୁନରୁଦ୍ଧାର

sumptuous: very rich and with a lot of variety, ବହୁ ମୂଲ୍ୟ

ritual: religious rites, customary ways of celebrating a religion, ରୀତି

plane: progress and development, ପ୍ରଗତି

Instructed: told in a formal way, ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦେଶ ଦେବା

take place: to happen (ଘଟିଛି)

rhythmic: having regular pattern of sound and movement, ଧ୍ୱନି

from the soul of: from the inner part of, ଅନ୍ତରରୁ

effective: successful in producing a desired result

preserve: to maintain (something) in its original state

heritage: the traditions, qualities and culture of a country that have existed for a long time, ଐତିହ୍ୟ

situated: located, ଅବସ୍ଥିତ

sacred: holy, ପବିତ୍ର

commemorate: to remind people of an important person or an event form the past, ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ

enlightenment: knowledge about and understanding of something, ଜାନକାରୀ, ଜଣାକଥା

fascinating: extremely interesting or attractive, ଆକର୍ଷଣୀୟ

extensive: great in amount, sumptuous, ବ୍ୟାପକ

calamity: a sudden bad event that causes a lot of damage or unhappiness, ଦୁର୍ବିପାକ

bring out: to make, ବାହାରକୁ ଆଣିବା

D. Let’s understand the text:

1.     What is North-East India?

Ans: North-east India is a collective name for the eastern-most parts of India representing both a geographic and administrative division of the country.

2.     Which states form the North-East India?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura form the North-east India.

3.     Which states are called the “Land of Seven Sisters”?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura are called land of seven sisters.

4.     Why are they called so?

Ans: They are called so because they are geographically connected and interdependent on each other.

5.     Why is Sikkim not included among the “Seven Sisters”?

Ans: Sikkim is not included among seven sisters, because it is geographically not connected with them (seven sisters), separated by the Siligudi corridor.

6.     What role does it play?

Ans: Sikkim plays the role of little brother to the seven sisters.

7.     What is culture?

Ans: The ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society is known as culture.

8.     People here celebrate their festivals with  ____ and ________

Ans: People here celebrate their festivals with  enthusiasm and joy.

9.     Many of their festivals are based on  ________________

Ans: Many of their festivals are based on  Agriculture.

10.  What are the two important parts of celebrating their festivals?

Ans: Traditional music and dance are the two important parts of celebrating their festivals.

11.  What is the most important festival of Assam?

Ans: Bihu is the most important festival of Assam.

12.  Bihu festivals are of three kinds. What are they?

Ans: The three types of Bihu are Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu.

13.  Rangoli bihu is also known as _____________

Ans: Rangoli bihu is also known as Bohag Bihu.

14.  Kongali Bihu is also known as ________

Ans: Kongali Bihu is also known as Kaati Bihu.

15.  People also name Magh Bihu as ________________________.

Ans: People also name Magh Bihu as Bhogali Bihu.

16.  When is Rongali Bihu celebrated?

Ans: Rongali Bihu is celebrated in mid-April with onset of Spring.

17.  What does Bohag Bihu celebrate?

Ans: Bohag Bihu celebrating beginning of the sowing season.

18.  When is Kaati Bihu celebrated?

Ans: Kati Bihu is celebrated in mid-October when the fields are lush.

19.  What do people do during Kongali Bihu?

Ans: During Kongali Bihu, people light lamps and pray to God for a thriving (blooming) harvest season and to guide souls to heaven.

20.  When is Magh Bihu celebrated?

Ans: Magh Bihu celebrated in mid-January.

21.  Bhogali Bihu marks _______________________.

Ans:  Bhogali Bihu marks the end of the harvest season.

22.  Which festival is a thanksgiving for a rich harvest?

Ans: Magh Bihu is a thanksgiving for a rich harvest.

23.  Bihu celebration is incomplete without __________and __________.

Ans: Bihu celebration is incomplete without melodious folk songs and traditional dance.

24.  Which musical instruments are played during Bihu dance?

Ans: Cymbals, bamboo clapper, dhol and the pepa which is a wind instrument made of buffalo horn are played during Bihu dance.

25.  Where is Arunachal Pradesh?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh lies farther north in the mountain region of the Himalayas. It is one of India’s most remote and picturesque (charming) locations with lush green Paddy fields and pine clad mountains.

26.  Name three festivals that Arunachal Pradesh celebrates.

Ans: Losar, Mopin and Ziro are the three festivals that Arunachal Pradesh celebrates.

27.  Which is the new-year festival of Arunachal Pradesh?

Ans: Losar is the new-year festival of Arunachal Pradesh.

28.  What do people do on this occasion?

Ans: On this occasion, people clean their homes and discard the old to bring the new in the New year.

29.  Which festival is the harvest festival here?

Ans: Mopin festival is the harvest festival here.

30.  What do people pray for during Mopin?

Ans: People pray to drive away evil spirits and for acquiring prosperity and wealth.

31.  Popir dance is performed on the occasion of ___________________.

Ans: Popir dance is performed on the occasion of Mopin festival.

32.  Ziro festival is an indoor / outdoor festival. (Tick the correct word.)

Ans: Zero festival is an outdoor festival.

33.  Which festival in Manipur establishes a family bond?

Ans: Ningol Chakouba festival in Manipur establishes a family bond.

34.  How are the married daughters and their children treated during Ningol Chakouba?

Ans: The married daughters and their children are treated graciously with sumptuous feasts and gifts.

35.  Which festival celebrates new-year in Manipur? When?

Ans: Cheiraoba festival celebrates new-year in Manipur. It is celebrated in April.

36.  What do the people of Manipur do during the celebration of Cheiraoba?

Ans: During the celebration of Cheiraoba, people clean and decorate the houses and prepare special festive dishes. As part of the ritual, the villagers climb the nearest hilltops for they believe that this will help them rise to a higher plane in this life.

37.  Chapchar Kut is popular in Mizoram as _________________________.

a.     the Spring festival

b. the Winter festival

c.  the Autumn festival

d. the Summer festival

38.  How do people of Mizoram celebrate Chapchar Kut?

Ans: Men and women of all ages, wearing traditional dresses and headgear, perform folk dances and sing traditional songs to celebrate Chapchar Kut.

39.  Wangala is also known as _____________

Ans: Wangle is also known as the hundred-drum festival.

40.  Where is Wangala celebrated?

Ans: Wangala celebrated in Meghalaya.

41.  Wangala is a harvest festival. What does it mark?

Ans: It marks the end of harvest of the year.

42.  Describe the dance performed during Wangala.

Ans: This hundred-drum dance festival performed in two parallel lines one of the men and the other of women. All dressed in their festive costumes. The men beat the drums and the lines move forward together in a rhythmic manner.

43.  How do people of Tripura celebrate Karachi Puja? When? Where?

Ans: People of Tripura celebrate Karachi Puja by sacrificing animal and worshipping fourteen gods as instructed by Lord Shiva. It is celebrated in the month of July in old Agartala or Puran Haveli.

44.  Why do people throng Tripura during the festival?

Ans: People throng Tripura during the festival to enjoy cultural programmes and fairs.

45.  What do the dances during festivals in Tripura showcase?

Ans: The dances during festivals in Tripura showcase hunting, food-gathering and various other activities.

46.  Name two Naga festivals.

Ans: Moastu and Hornbill are two Naga festivals.

47.  Describe the Naga dance during the celebration of Moastu.

Ans: During the celebration of Moastu the people in villages wear colourful clothes and headgear decorated with feathers and wild boar tusks, and dance to the traditional music.

48.  Which Naga festival is famous in India? What for?

Ans: Hornbill festival is famous in India. Because the event showcases the cultural heritage of 16 tribes there.

49.  Which bird is most admired in Nagaland?

Ans: Hornbill bird is most admired in Nagaland.

50.  Which Naga festival is named after the bird?

Ans: Hornbill festival is named after the bird.

51.  What does the event showcase?

Ans: The event showcases the cultural heritage of 16 tribes.

52.  Describe the dance by men during the Hornbill festival.

Ans: During the hornbill festival, men clad in full warrior costumes and show off their hunting and warring skills.

53.  What helps Nagaland protect and continue its history?

Ans: Nagaland consists of different groups of people who are unique in the customs and traditions that they celebrate. Songs and dances form the soul of the festival in Nagaland. Celebration of these festivals is an effective means of preserving and passing down their oral history.

54.  Name four Sikkimese festivals.

Ans: Saga Dawa, Losoong, Losar, and Tihaar are four Sikkimese festivals.

55.  Match the festivals under A with their occasions under B.

a. Losar festival of light (c)

b. Saga Dawa harvest festival (d)

c. Tihaar New Year festival (a)

d. Losoong Buddhist festival (b)

56.  What do people do while celebrating Saga Dawa?

Ans: While celebrating Saga Dawa people visit the monasteries, offer prayers, water, incense sticks and butter lamps.

57.  How do the Sikkimese celebrate their harvest festival?

Ans: Locals wearing brightly coloured masks, playing fascinating musical instruments perform Chaam dance. Archery contest is also held along with feasting and other celebrations. Thus, the Sikkimese celebrate their harvest festival.

58.  When is the Tibetan New Year celebrated?

Ans: Tibetan new year is celebrated in February.

E. Let’s read between/beyond lines: 

1.     Many different things make up a society’s culture. These things include:

food Arts language ideas

clothing music literature beliefs

 tools dance customs religion

 instrument festivity traditions faiths

2.     What is oral history? Why is it important?

Ans:  Oral history is the collection of historical information which is not written but is passed on by the people who remembered past event. It is important because it helps round out the story of past.

3.     Folk songs and traditional dances of Assam have been handed down through many generations. Who passes down these songs and dances? To whom? Why?

Ans: Folk songs in traditional dances of Assam have been handed down through many generations. The families and the other small social groups pass these songs and dances to next generation to keep it in oral tradition.

4.     The festivals of northeast India are based on two significant backgrounds. What are they? ( Paragraphs- 1 and 14)

Ans: The festivals of north-east India are based on two significant backgrounds. They are agriculture and religion.

5.     The people of north-eastern India live in the lap of nature. Simplicity is the most beautiful ornamentation on them. They are fatalists. They believe there is some force that controls events and guide them– call it God, destiny or fate. So they worship, pray and thank Him for the life they live. Which sentence states their religious beliefs? (Paragraph - 14)

Ans: The sentence is – “Most of them have a religious importance or significance, as the people offer thanks to the Gods for a good harvest or prosperity or ask for protection against calamities.”

6.     Besides rooting religious beliefs, the festivals help in many other ways. What are they? (Paragraph-16)

Ans: Besides rooting religious beliefs, the festivals help in many other ways. The celebration of festive help encourage cultural and artistic activities                 and bring out the natural talent of the people. 

G. Let’s learn words:

(a)  Word Search :

While reading a text, we come across some new words or the words we are not familiar with. The meaning of such words are available somewhere around the text. Puzzle out the meanings of the words listed in the table below. Use the clues or hints — other words (Synonyms, antonyms, examples, expressions, etc.) given in the context to help you understand. Numbers in brackets under col. 1 indicate paragraph numbers. Numbers under col.2 show the number of paragraphs where you can get the hints/facts/clues/ other words, such as synonyms, antonyms, examples, expressions, etc. Copy and complete the table.

b) Word Use:

Rewrite the sentences using hardly, barely or scarcely in them.

(i)         I saw almost none in the darkness. (I hardly saw in the darkness)

(ii)   The team could not score any goal. (The team could hardly score any goal)

(iii) The beggar has nothing to eat. (The beggar has scarcely/barely anything to eat)

(iv)  Many cities do very little to check air pollution. (Many cities hardly do anything to check air pollution)

(v)        I know her very slightly. (I hardly know her)

(vi)  Working children have almost no chance to enjoy. (Working children have barely any chance to enjoy)

(vii) There was almost no sugar in the jar. (There was scarcely any sugar in the jar)

(viii)  Samita cannot wait for her birthday. (Samita can hardly wait for her birthday)

c) Homophones:

(i)         Assam is a state in the north-eastern reason of India. (region)

(ii)   Losar is a new-ear festival in Arunachal Pradesh. (year)

(iii) People prey gods for prosperity. (pray)

(iv)  The women and children are given a sumptuous fist. (feast)

(v)        People worship God to rise to a higher plain of life. (plane)

(vi)  Rich harvest is the result of herd labour. (hard)

(vii) Folk dance and traditional music add to the festive heir. (air)

(viii)  People throng Tripura to enjoy cultural programmes and fares. (fairs)

H. Let’s learn Grammar:

1. Look at the underlined words in the following sentences. People clean and decorate their houses. The temple houses 14 deities. In the first sentence, house is used as a noun which is the object of the transitive verb ‘decorate’. In the second sentence house is used as a finite verb

Use each of the following words first as a noun and then as a verb in separate sentences of your own.

dance, harvest, drive, climb, spring, dress, name, group, mark, help

1. Complete the sentences using appropriate prepositions choosing from the box.

(to, against, of, for, on, with)

(i)              India consists of 28 states and 9 Union Territories.

(ii)            The movie is based on a real life incident.

(iii)          She is blessed with good health.

(iv)          Shall I add more sugar to your tea?

(v)            The camel is the only means of transportation in deserts.

(vi)          Safety rules prescribe precautions against fire.

2. Phrasal verb: A phrase that consists of a verb and a preposition or an adverb is called a phrasal verb.  It acts as a verb in a sentence. It usually has a meaning that is different from that of the original verb in the phrase.

Look at the use of the phrasal verbs and their meanings in the following sentences.

What time did you get back last night? (= return)

I will get back to you. (= to speak/write to somebody again later, in order to give a reply)

Winter sets in and trees start to shed their leaves. (= begin)

Complete the following sentences using the phrasal verbs appropriately.

(bring in, show of, hand down, bring out, get in, ask for, take place, drive away, pass down)

(i)              Young men and women get in their best traditional attire.

(ii)            The festivals take place in the in the month of July.

(iii)          On this occasion, people discard the old to bring in the New Year.

(iv)          People pray the gods to drive away evil spirits.

(v)            The songs have been handed down through many generations.

(vi)          The celebration of these festivals is an effective means of preserving and passing down their oral history.

(vii)        Men clad in full warrior costumes show off their hunting and warring skills.

(viii)  People offer thanks to gods and ask for protection against calamities.

(ix)          These celebrations also help bring out the natural talent of people.

3. Look at the following sentences.

Rongali Bihu is celebrated in mid-April.

The crops have been harvested.

The sentences are in their passive forms. But the ‘by-phrase’ (by + agent or the doer of the action) in each of them is missing. In some passive constructions, the ‘by-phrase’ is willfully dropped because the agent is either unknown or well understood or not disclosed by the speaker.

Put the following sentences into the passive without ‘by-phrase’.

(i)              Farmers grow grapes in Hyderabad. (Grapes are grown in Hyderabad)

(ii)            Poachers kill a lot of wild animals every year. (A lot of wild animals are killed every year)

(iii)          People make paper from pulp. (Paper is made from pulp)

(iv)          Someone broke the window. (The window was broken)

(v)            We should respect the elders. (The elders should be respected)

(vi)          Somebody stole her purse. (Her purse was stolen)

(vii)        The police have arrested the miscreant. (The miscreant has been arrested)

(viii)  My friend has eaten up all the grapes.( But I want to keep it a secret.) (All the grapes have been eaten up)

4. Read the following sentences and notice the underlined verbs.

a.  The North East India, comprising eight states, is a place of diverse culture.

b. Blessed with lush greenery and mighty River Brahmaputra, the people of Assam have a lot to celebrate.

c.  They pray to God to guide souls to heaven.

d. These celebrations also help encourage cultural and artistic activities and bring out the natural talent of people.

The verbs underlined in the above sentences carry no TENSE and hence, non-finite. Threrfore, the parts of the sentences they occur in are non-finite clauses. The non-finite verb forms used in the sentences are to-infinitive (to guide), bare -inifinitive (encourage, bring out), -ing form (comprising ) and –en form (blessed).

Underline the non-finite clauses in the following sentences.

(i)              The pepa is a wind instrument made of a buffalo horn.

(ii)            Lying farther north in the mountainous region of the Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh is one of India’s most remote picturesque locations.

(iii)          On this occasion, people clean their homes and discard the old to bring in the New Year.

(iv)          The villagers climb the nearest hill tops for they believe that this will help them rise to higher plane in this life.

(v)            The Spring Festival or Chapchar Kut is an important occasion, mostly celebrated in Mizoram.

(vi)          Men and women of all ages, wearing traditional dresses and head gear, perform folk dances and sing traditional songs.

(vii)        Wangala or the Hundred-drum Festival is celebrated in November to mark the end of hard work.

5. Read the following sentences.

a.  Pepa is a wind instrument made of buffalo horn. People use buffalo horn for making a pepa. We produce/make an object/a thing using some material.

Now look at two such examples.

a.  Books are made of paper.

b. Paper is made from pulp.

What is the basic difference between the expressions ‘made of’ and ‘made from’ as used in the above sentences?

If an object consists of a material that has not been changed in any significant way during the process of making the object, we say ‘made of’.

If the material is significantly changed in the process of making or producing the object, we generally say ‘made from’.

(a)    Match the things under ‘A’ with the materials under ‘B’. Write the serial numbers in brackets.

a.  Now make sentences for each pair using “made of” or “made from”

(i) Shoes are made of leather

(ii)  Blanket is made of wool.

(iii) House is made of bricks

(iv) Ice is made of water

(v)  Shirt are made of cotton

(vi) Juice is made from fruit

(vii) Bread is made from flour

(viii) Statue is made of bronze.

(ix) Gate is made of iron.

(x)  Chair is made of wood.

(xi) Cheese is made from milk.

(xii) Jeans is made of denim.