Cultural Heritage of India: Class 10 Notes | Chapter 2 Social Science GSEB

 

A. Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. World Yoga Day is celebrated on:
    A. 21 April
    B. 21 June
    C. 5 September
    D. 1 May
    Answer: B. 21 June
  2. Patola sarees are mainly associated with:
    A. Surat
    B. Patan
    C. Rajkot
    D. Bhuj
    Answer: B. Patan
  3. Which Veda is associated with Indian music?
    A. Rigveda
    B. Yajurveda
    C. Samaveda
    D. Atharvaveda
    Answer: C. Samaveda
  4. Who wrote Sangeet Ratnakar?
    A. Narad
    B. Sarangdev
    C. Pandit Ahobal
    D. Tansen
    Answer: B. Sarangdev
  5. Amir Khusro is known as:
    A. Nataraja
    B. Tuti-e-Hind
    C. Sangeet Samrat
    D. Kavi Kalidas
    Answer: B. Tuti-e-Hind
  6. Bharatanatyam originated in:
    A. Kerala
    B. Manipur
    C. Tamil Nadu
    D. Andhra Pradesh
    Answer: C. Tamil Nadu
  7. Kathakali is a famous dance form of:
    A. Gujarat
    B. Kerala
    C. Rajasthan
    D. Punjab
    Answer: B. Kerala
  8. Bhavai was started by:
    A. Asait Thakar
    B. Kalidasa
    C. Bharatmuni
    D. Dayaram
    Answer: A. Asait Thakar
  9. The word Garba is derived from:
    A. Garbh Deep
    B. Garbh Nritya
    C. Garbh Sangeet
    D. Garbh Kala
    Answer: A. Garbh Deep
  10. The Siddi community originally came from:
    A. China
    B. Africa
    C. Nepal
    D. Sri Lanka
    Answer: B. Africa

 

B. Fill in the Blanks

  1. The physical and mental qualities inherited from parents are called __________ heritage.
    Answer: genetic
  2. The fine muslin cloth of __________ could pass through a ring.
    Answer: Dhaka
  3. __________ is an important centre of Jari work.
    Answer: Surat
  4. Akik stones are shaped into ornaments at __________.
    Answer: Khambhat
  5. Ancient cave paintings are found at __________ in Madhya Pradesh.
    Answer: Bhimbetka
  6. The seven notes of Indian music are Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and __________.
    Answer: Ni
  7. Lord Shiva in the form of the God of Dance is known as __________.
    Answer: Nataraja
  8. Kuchipudi is a famous dance form of __________ Pradesh.
    Answer: Andhra
  9. Manipuri dance is mainly based on the __________ of Lord Krishna.
    Answer: Raslila
  10. Poet __________ wrote devotional Garbi songs related to Lord Krishna.
    Answer: Dayaram

 

C. True or False

  1. Cultural heritage includes customs, traditions, beliefs, art and handicrafts.
    Answer: True
  2. Patola sarees are traditionally made in Surat.
    Answer: False
    Patola sarees are traditionally associated with Patan.
  3. Terracotta refers to objects made from baked clay.
    Answer: True
  4. Mojadi is a traditional leather footwear of Rajasthan.
    Answer: True
  5. Iron was mainly used to make gold ornaments in ancient India.
    Answer: False
    Iron was mainly used for tools and weapons.
  6. Sangeet Makarand was written by Narad.
    Answer: True
  7. Bharatanatyam originated in Kerala.
    Answer: False
    It originated in Tamil Nadu.
  8. Kathak narrates stories connected with the life of Lord Krishna.
    Answer: True
  9. Bhavai was traditionally performed with heavy curtains.
    Answer: False
    Bhavai was generally performed without curtains.
  10. Garba is mainly performed during Navratri.
    Answer: True

 

 

Cultural Heritage of India Imp Notes

India has a rich cultural heritage consisting of traditions, customs, beliefs, skills, festivals, art, music, dance, architecture and handicrafts inherited from earlier generations.

 

1. Meaning of Cultural Heritage

  • Genetic heritage refers to the physical and mental characteristics inherited from parents by birth.
  • Material heritage includes houses, land, property and estates received from ancestors.
  • Cultural heritage includes traditions, customs, rituals, lifestyles, education, farming, trade, festivals, beliefs, art, skills and handicrafts.
  • Ancient Indian literature mentions 64 different arts.
  • Yoga is recognised as part of India’s cultural heritage.
  • 21 June is celebrated as World Yoga Day.

 

Traditional Handicrafts of India

2. Art of Indian Artisans

Indian artisans have developed many distinctive crafts, such as:

  • Weaving and embroidery
  • Clay work
  • Wooden art
  • Leather work
  • Metal work
  • Diamond, bead and enamel work
  • Inlay work
  • Akik or agate work
  • Painting, sculpture and architecture

These traditional crafts reflect the lifestyle, creativity and skills of Indian people.

 

3. Clay Work

  • Clay has been used since ancient times for making toys, pots, pitchers, lamps, stoves and utensils.
  • Before the discovery of metals, most household utensils were made of clay.
  • Village houses were plastered with a mixture of cow dung and clay.
  • Red clay utensils have been discovered at Lothal, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.
  • The potter’s wheel was an important invention for clay work.
  • A perforated clay pot containing a lamp, called Garba, is used during Navratri.
  • India was famous for baked clay objects as well as unbaked terracotta objects.
  • Ancient clay objects have been found at Nagarjunakonda in South India and Langhnaj in Mehsana district.

 

4. Art of Weaving

Spinning

  • Spinning is the process of making long threads by joining small fibres of cotton.
  • Mahatma Gandhi encouraged spinning as a cottage industry.
  • The charkha became a symbol of the Swadeshi and freedom movements.

Hand Weaving

  • India has been famous for textile production since ancient times.
  • The fine muslin cloth of Dhaka was so delicate that it could pass through a ring and fit inside a matchbox.
  • Famous Indian textiles include:
    • Patola of Patan
    • Kanjivaram sarees
    • Banarasi sarees
    • Bandhani of Rajasthan and Gujarat

Patola of Patan

  • Patola weaving developed greatly during the Solanki period.
  • King Siddharaj Jaysingh invited and settled many weavers in Patan.
  • Patola weaving in Patan is more than 850 years old.
  • Patola sarees can be worn from either side.
  • Their colours remain bright for a very long time.

 

5. Art of Embroidery

  • Evidence of embroidery has been found on garments and statues discovered at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
  • Embroidery was practised on the clothes of men, women and children.
  • Famous embroidery traditions include:
    • Kashmiri embroidery
    • Bandhani of Jamnagar, Jetpur, Bhuj and Mandvi
    • Embroidery of Saurashtra and Kutch
    • Jat community embroidery of the Banni region
  • Decorative embroidery is done on:
    • Torans
    • Pillow covers
    • Bedsheets
    • Quilts
    • Shawls
    • Kediyas and other traditional clothes

 

6. Leather Industry

  • Animal skin was traditionally processed to produce leather.
  • Leather was used to make:
    • Water bags called masak
    • Drums, dholaks and tablas
    • Bellows used by blacksmiths
    • Footwear
    • Belts and animal equipment
    • Shields used during wars
  • Famous leather products include:
    • Rajasthani mojdi
    • Leather purses and belts
    • Horse and camel equipment such as reins, saddles and whips

 

7. Diamond, Bead and Enamel Work

Diamond Work

  • India has been famous for gems, diamonds and jewellery since ancient times.
  • Indian traders carried diamonds and beads to foreign countries.
  • The world-famous Kohinoor and Great Mughal diamonds were found in India.
  • Kings and wealthy people wore diamond jewellery along with gold ornaments.

Bead Work

Beads were used to decorate:

  • Thrones and crowns
  • Bracelets and garlands
  • Torans
  • Pots
  • Door frames
  • Traditional wall pieces called chakda
  • Ceremonial coconuts
  • Decorative animal ornaments

Enamel Work

  • Enamel work is the art of filling bright colours such as red, green and blue into gold or silver ornaments.
  • It is used in rings, bangles, earrings, key chains and chains.
  • Important centres include:
    • Jaipur
    • Delhi
    • Lucknow
    • Varanasi
    • Hyderabad

 

8. Jari Work

  • Jari work has existed in India since ancient times.
  • Golden and silver threads are woven or embroidered into cloth.
  • Surat is an important centre of jari work.
  • Sarees, curtains, bedcovers and other decorative fabrics are made using jari work.

 

9. Metal Work or Engraving

  • Metal art developed after the Stone Age.
  • Artisans of Lothal made sickles, drills and needles from copper and bronze.
  • Gold and silver were used for ornaments.
  • Copper, brass and bronze were used for utensils and idols.
  • Iron was mainly used for tools, weapons and other instruments.

 

10. Wooden Art

  • Wood was first used as fuel and later for weapons and construction.
  • It was also used to make:
    • Idols
    • Toys
    • Pillars
    • Windows and doors
    • Swings and furniture
    • Decorative carvings
  • Wooden toys and furniture of Idar and Sankheda in Gujarat are well known.

 

11. Inlay Work

  • Inlay work is an ancient Indian decorative art.
  • Diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious materials are fitted into ornaments and objects.
  • Kings and royal families wore inlaid necklaces, bracelets, crowns, rings and other jewellery.
  • Bikaner in Rajasthan is famous for inlay ornaments.

 

12. Akik or Agate Work

  • Akik is a precious stone belonging to the chalcedony group.
  • It is commonly blue, white or reddish in colour.
  • Carnelian is a reddish, semi-transparent variety of akik.
  • Akik stones are sent to Khambhat, where artisans shape them into beads, garlands and ornaments.

 

13. Painting

  • Painting expresses thoughts and emotions through lines and colours.
  • Evidence of ancient Indian painting is found in:
    • Harappan remains
    • Bhimbetka cave paintings
    • Ajanta and Ellora caves
  • Early humans painted birds, animals and geometric designs.
  • The paintings of Ajanta and Ellora are outstanding examples of Indian art.
  • Rangoli-making is also an old Indian tradition.

 

Fine Arts of India

Fine arts include:

  • Music
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Singing and instrumental performance

They provide entertainment as well as moral and cultural education.

 

14. Indian Music

  • Indian music is based on tune, rhythm and harmony.
  • The Samaveda is considered the foundation of Indian music.
  • Music includes both singing and playing instruments.
  • The seven notes are:

Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni

  • Indian music is mainly divided into:
    • Classical music
    • Folk music

Five Important Ragas

  1. Shree
  2. Deepak
  3. Hindol
  4. Megh
  5. Bhairavi

Important Books on Music

Sangeet Makarand

  • Written by Narad around 900 BCE.
  • Describes 19 veenas and 101 rhythms.

Sangeet Ratnakar

  • Written by Sarangdev.
  • He lived in Daulatabad or Devgiri.
  • It is considered an authentic and comprehensive book on Indian music.

Sangeet Parijat

  • Written by Pandit Ahobal in 1665.
  • It deals mainly with North Indian or Hindustani music.
  • It explains the individual identity and characteristics of ragas.
  • It describes 29 types of tunes.

Important Musicians

  • Amir Khusro was known as Tuti-e-Hind, meaning the Parrot of India.
  • Famous Bhakti musicians included:
    • Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
    • Kabir
    • Tulsidas
    • Mirabai
    • Narsinh Mehta
  • Baiju Bawra, Tansen and Tana-Riri are regarded as great musicians of medieval India.

 

Classical Dances of India

15. Dance

  • The word Nritya comes from the Sanskrit word Nrut.
  • Dance expresses beauty and joy through rhythm, movement and gestures.
  • Lord Shiva is regarded as the originator of dance.
  • In his dancing form, Shiva is called Nataraj.
  • Major Indian classical dances include:
    • Bharatanatyam
    • Kuchipudi
    • Kathakali
    • Kathak
    • Odissi
    • Manipuri

 

16. Bharatanatyam

  • Bharatanatyam originated in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu.
  • Its main sources are:
    • Bharata’s Natyashastra
    • Nandikeshwar’s Abhinaya Darpan
  • It uses expressive hand gestures, facial expressions and rhythmic movements.
  • Vyjayanthimala and Hema Malini helped popularise this dance form.

 

17. Kuchipudi

  • Kuchipudi developed during the 15th century.
  • It is especially famous in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Its poses and gestures often express feminine grace and beauty.
  • Famous Kuchipudi artists include Raja Reddy and Shobha Naidu.

 

18. Kathakali

  • Kathakali is the famous dance-drama of Kerala.
  • Its stories are generally based on the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
  • It combines Sanskrit and Malayalam traditions.
  • Important features include:
    • Elaborate costumes
    • Artistic crowns
    • Colourful makeup
    • Facial expressions
    • Hand gestures
  • A traditional lamp is placed in front of the stage during the performance.

 

19. Kathak

  • The name Kathak is connected with the word Kathan, meaning storytelling.
  • Kathak narrates events from the life of Lord Krishna.
  • It developed under the influence of Vaishnavism and Shringar Bhakti.
  • Fast spins and graceful footwork are its main features.
  • Famous Kathak performers include:
    • Pandit Birju Maharaj
    • Sitara Devi
    • Kumudini Lakhia

 

20. Manipuri Dance

  • Manipuri dance is performed on festivals and important occasions in Manipur.
  • It is mainly based on the Raslila and Bal Lila of Lord Krishna.
  • It has two principal forms:
    • Lasya – graceful and gentle
    • Tandava – powerful and energetic
  • Women wear a colourful, stiff cylindrical skirt called Kumin.

 

Dramatic Art

21. Indian Drama

  • Indian dramatic art combines entertainment, education and moral instruction.
  • Bharata’s Natyashastra is the most important ancient work on drama.
  • The first Sanskrit drama is believed to be Devasur Sangram.
  • Important ancient dramatists include:

Bhasa

He wrote:

  • Karnabhar
  • Urubhanga
  • Dutvakyam

Kalidasa

He wrote:

  • Abhigyan Shakuntalam
  • Vikramorvashiyam
  • Malavikagnimitram

Gujarati Theatre Personalities

  • Jayshankar Sundari
  • Amrut Nayak
  • Bapulal Nayak
  • Dina Pathak
  • Jashwant Thakar
  • Upendra Trivedi
  • Pravin Joshi
  • Deepak Gheewala

 

22. Bhavai

  • Bhavai is Gujarat’s traditional emotion-oriented dramatic art.
  • It began about 700 years ago through Asait Thakar.
  • It became popular during the Solanki period.
  • It combines public education, social messages and entertainment.
  • Important features are:
    • Performance without curtains
    • Light humour
    • Music played on the trumpet
    • Colourful traditional characters
  • Bhavai often protests against social evils and promotes causes such as girls’ education and saving the girl child.

 

Folk Dances of Gujarat

23. Tribal Dances

  • Tribal dances are performed during:
    • Festivals
    • Marriages
    • Fairs
    • Religious occasions
  • Dancers usually form a circle.
  • Instruments include drums, manjira, thali and dholak.
  • In the Dang region, dancers imitate birds and animals.
  • Tippani dance is performed by labourers, especially women of the Bhal and Koli communities, using long wooden sticks.

 

24. Garba

  • The word Garba is derived from Garbh Deep.
  • A lamp is placed inside a perforated earthen pot.
  • Dancers move around it in a circle.
  • Garba is mainly performed during Navratri.
  • It is performed in honour of Goddess Jagdamba or Adhya Shakti.
  • The lamp symbolises divine energy.
  • Gujarati poet Dayaram composed many Garbi songs connected with Krishna Bhakti.

25. Rasa

  • Rasa is performed in a circle with singing and rhythmic movements.
  • It is associated with Lord Krishna’s Rasa Lila.
  • It is mainly performed during:
    • Navratri
    • Janmashtami
  • Dandiya Rasa is one of its popular forms.
  • Women generally wear chaniya-choli, while men wear kediya-dhoti.