Class 9 English - KERALA
Prose: Kathmandu
Kathmandu is a travelogue written by Vikram Seth, detailing his visits to two sacred shrines in the capital of Nepal: the Pashupatinath temple and the Baudhnath stupa. The author contrasts the chaotic, noisy, and frenzied atmosphere of the Hindu Pashupatinath temple with the serene, quiet, and peaceful environment of the Buddhist Baudhnath stupa. He also describes the vibrant Kathmandu streets filled with flute sellers, hawkers, and comic books. For Kerala (SCERT) Class 9 board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, understanding travel writing styles, and analyzing the author's keen observations of cultural details.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Travelogue
A piece of writing about a journey or travel experience, focusing on the places visited, local culture, and personal observations, just like Vikram Seth's account of Kathmandu.
Pashupatinath Temple
A sacred Hindu temple in Kathmandu where a strict 'Hindus only' sign leads to feverish chaos, noise, and monkeys fighting, contrasting sharply with peaceful surroundings.
Baudhnath Stupa
A Buddhist shrine in Kathmandu featuring a massive white dome, characterized by an immense sense of stillness and a haven of quietness amidst the busy city.
The Flute Seller
A distinct vendor in the bustling Kathmandu streets who sells bamboo flutes from a pole, playing them slowly and meditatively without the aggressive sales pitch of other hawkers.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Kerala (SCERT) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 10 marks. Common question types include paragraph-based analytical questions about the atmosphere of the two temples, short answers regarding the flute seller, and vocabulary or grammar exercises based on the text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main contrast Vikram Seth highlights between Pashupatinath and Baudhnath?
Pashupatinath is crowded, noisy, chaotic, and full of frantic activity, whereas Baudhnath Stupa is peaceful, quiet, and serene with an immense sense of stillness.
How does the flute seller stand out from other hawkers in Kathmandu?
Unlike other hawkers who shout out their wares to attract buyers, the flute seller plays his flutes slowly, meditatively, and without excessive eagerness.
Why is the flute described as 'the most universal and universalizing of instruments'?
Every culture has its own version of the flute, and its music transcends language barriers, reminding the author of common human breath and shared emotional experiences.
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