Kathmandu

10.
Kathmandu
Introduction: The writer Vikram Seth came from China to India hitchhiking via Tibet and Nepal and wrote about it in his book titled
„Heaven Lake‟. In this excerpt from the book, we get to know about his visit to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This is an extract
from his book “Heaven Lake”, is the city of Kathmandu and the author‟s personal experiences and observations during his visit
there. The passage describes the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the city, as well as the author‟s reflections on the people and
culture. The author also reflects on the idea of travel and the ways in which it can change one‟s perspective on the world.
About the author: Vikram Seth is a critically acclaimed Indian novelist and poet. He was born on 20 June 1952 in the city
of Calcutta. Seth has travelled widely and lived in Britain, California, India, and China. He has written several novels and poetry
books. He has won several awards such as Padma Shri, Sahitya Academy Award, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, WH Smith Literary
Award and Crossword Book Award.
Glossary: Proclaims: make known publicly or officially Febrile confusion: hurried activity; complete chaos Saffron – clad
westerners: foreigners dressed as sadhus Corpse: dead body Wilted: dry and withered Shrine: a place of worship Protrudes: comes
out Kalyug: it is the fourth and last stages or time period of a Mahayuga. It started with the end of Mahabharata when Lord Krishna left
the Earth. Immigrants: a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. Haven: a safe place Deities: gods and goddesses
Cows low: the „moo‟ sound made by cows Marzipan: a sweet made with grated almonds Brazier: open stove Wash down: to drink
something after a meal to digest it Nauseating: sickening Propelled: drive or push something forward Per se: by itself
Meditatively: thoughtfully Offhanded: casual Fingering: way of placing the fingers to play different notes Compass: here, range
Thinking about the Text
I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.
1. Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.
Ans: The author visited the pashupatinath and the Baudhnath temples in Kathmandu.
2. The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does „all this‟ refer to?
Ans: „All this‟ refers to all the food items – the marzipan bar and the corn on the cob that he ate.
3. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?
Ans: Vikram Seth compares the flutes protruding out of the flute – seller‟s pole to the quills of a porcupine.
4. Name five kinds of flutes.Ans: Five kinds of flutes are the reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep bansuri of
Hindustani classical music and the clear or breathy flutes of South America.
II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.
1. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?
Ans: The author noticed that the flute seller was calm and quiet. He did not scream to sell his wares like other hawkers did.
2. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?
Ans: The belief at the Pashupatinath temple about the end of Kaliyug is that when the small shrine will protrude completely, then the
goddess will emerge out of it. The goddess will bring an end to the evil period of Kaliyug.
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 example: some people trying to get the priest‟s
attention are elbowed aside...) Ans: a) There are so many worshippers that some people trying to get the priest‟s attention are elbowed
aside by others b) By the main gate, a party of saffron-clad Westerners struggle for permission to enter. c) A fight breaks out between
two monkeys.
(ii) the things he sees Ans.: a) fruit sellers b) flute sellers c) hawkers of postcards
(iii) the sounds he hears Ans: a) Film songs blare out from the radios b) car horns sound c) vendors shout out their wares.
III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100–150 words each.
1. Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.
Ans: The atmosphere at the Baudhnath temple is calm and quiet. The temple has a huge white dome with an outer ring road. The place
is relaxing as there are no noises or crowds around.
On the contrary, the atmosphere at the Pashupatinath temple is chaotic. There is a lot of confusion and noise as tourists, pilgrims,
priests and animals roam around. As entry is restricted to Hindus only, foreigners dressed as sadhus can be seen arguing with the guards
to gain entry. A rush of people can be seen elbowing each other to gain entry. One can see monkeys fighting and climbing on the
shivling in the temple. There is a lot of activity going on near the holy river Bagmati that flows near the temple.
2. How does the author describe Kathmandu‟s busiest streets?
Ans: Along Kathmandu‟s narrowest and busiest streets, there are small shrines and flower-adorned deities. Apart from these, there are
fruit sellers, flute sellers, hawkers of postcards, shops selling Western cosmetics, film rolls, chocolate, those selling copper utensils and
Nepalese antiques. The author hears film songs that were blaring out from the radios, sounds of car horns and bicycle bells, vendors
shouting out their wares. He says that stray cows roam about on the roads. He also draws a vivid picture of a flute seller with many
bansuris protruding from his pole. He describes how the serene music produced by the flute seller is heard clearly above all the other
noise.
3. “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?
Ans: The author considers flute music to be “the most universal and most particular” of all music. This is a musical instrument that is
common to all cultures. We have the reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep bansuri of Hindustani classical music,
the clear or breathy flutes of South America, the high-pitched Chinese flutes, etc. Even though each of these has its specific fingering
and compass yet, for the author, to hear any flute is “to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind”. This is because in spite of their
differences, every flute produces music with the help of the human breath. Similarly, despite the differences in caste, culture, religion,
region, all human beings are the same, with the same living breath running through all of them.

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