Kanthapura # Questions and Answers # Short Answer-type Qs (21 to 30) # Kanthapura by Raja Rao# Qs & Ans

 

               Questions & Anwers. Chapter 1: Kanthapura

Q21. How was the Kanthapurishwari temple erected?

Ans. One day, while going through the narrator’s backyard, Moorthy, Narsamma’s son, found a half-sunk-linga there. Then he had an idea to unearth, wash and consecrate (sanctify/make holy) it. The holidays were going on and, so, with the help of the boys, a structure as a temple there was erected. Bhatta duly performed the consecration ceremony.

Q22. Describe how Sanskara Vijaya is held in the village?

Ans. The postmaster Suryanarayan proposed the reading of ‘Sankara-Vijaya’ It was accepted by all. It was read by Old Ramakrishnayya every day for the whole month. Dinner for each day of the month would be arranged by them turn by turn. On the days when there would be no one to offer dinner, in that case, Rangamma would do it. Thus the ‘Sankara-Jayanthi’ was started that very day. After the dinner, the younger women sang and the older ones discussed the ‘mayavada’. Then they went home.

Q23. Describe something about Sastriji.

Ans. Sastriji was a famous ‘harikatha’ narrator. The Maharaja of Mysore had already honoured him with a palace shawl. Sastri had sent the Maharaja an epic on the sojourn (temporary stay away from home) of Rama and Sita in the hill country. They also believed he would soon get a permanent place in the king’s court palace. He was a fine singer also.

Q24. Describe fundraising by Moorthy.

Ans. Moorthy goes from one house to the other to raise funds. He even goes to the potters’ the weavers’ and the Sudras’ quarters too. He gathers one hundred and forty-seven rupees. After that, the narrator goes on to describe how much money was paid to Moorthy by different persons of the village.

Q25. Briefly tell about the Harikatha told by Jayramchar.

Ans. The narrator says that Jayaramchar has a wonderful way of narrating ‘Kathas’ and he can make everyone weep. He narrated ‘Siva and Parvati’, Shakunthala and Yasodha. During Harikatha, the people of Kanthapura are made known to Gandhiji and his struggle for freedom. People are told how Gandhiji believed in the truth and unity of people; how he loved all religions and how he remained on fasts and prayed and how his enemies fell on his feet, etc.

Q26. How has Brahma been described by the Harikathaman?

Ans. Lord Brahama lies on the bed made by his serpent. He is called the self-created God. He had great regard for sages. The great Saint Valmiki informs Brahma about the miserable condition of India. Brahma sent a message to Lord Shiva at once to bring freedom to India from slavery.

Q27.How has Bharatha was described by the Harikathaman?

Ans.  The Harikathaman described Bharatha as the chief daughter of Brahma. She has been called the goddess of wisdom and well-being. Lord Brahama gifted her the  Himalayas in the North, the Ganges, the Godavari, the Cauvery, and the seven seas to the south,               

Q28.How has Gandhi been described by the Harikathaman?

Ans. Gandhiji began his fight against the enemies of the country. From his early age, he had begun to go to villages and assembled people to talk to them.  He had such a brilliant personality that people followed him in crowds as they did to Lord Krishna, the flute player. Thus Gandhiji goes from one village to the other to slay the serpent of the British Rule.

Q29.How does the Harikathaman describe Gandhiji’s teachings to the village.

Ans. During Harikatha, the people of Kanthapura are made known to Gandhiji and his struggle for freedom. People are told how Gandhiji believed in truth and unity of people; how he loved all religions and how he remained on fasts and prayed and how his enemies fell on his feet, etc. we also come to know that Moorthy and several other people throw their foreign clothes and become Gandhian followers.

Q30. How is India equated with Siva in the novel Kanthapura?

Ans. In Kanthapura, India has been equated with Sita, Lord Rama’s wife. She was made imprisoned by Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka. He stood for Evil. Similarly, India has also been made imprisoned by the Britishers. So Lord Vishnu came on the Earth incarnated as Ram to free Sita from Ravana. In the same way, Mahatma Gandhi incarnated as Siva took birth on the earth to free India from British rule.