Questions & answers on Panch-light
Long
Answer-type Questions (150-200 Words each)
Q1. What
image of the rural society do you get from the story ‘Panchlight’?
Ans. Panchlight presents a true picture of the rural
society with local culture and traditions in the Bihar state of India. We come to
know several characters in this story. They behave in their typical manner.
Their reactions to the common situations of rural life are quite funny and
interesting. They are quite natural in their behaviour.
We find that the village society is divided into several
castes. So there are eight Panchayats or ‘Tolis’ for each caste or community in
the village. We also find that each community is very sensitive to its honour.
Presently, the Mahto Toli does not have its own ‘dury’ and a ‘Panchlight’. So
they think of themselves as inferior to other communities of the village. For this,
they collect money and bring a ‘Pachlight’ from a nearby city.
Even in dealing with Godhan, it becomes clear that the
village people sacrifice small honour for a greater one. No one knew how to light
the Panchlight. Only Gordhan knew it. But Gordhan was ostracized by them. He was
not allowed to mix up with the people of the Mahto Community. The people of the
rival communities were making fun of them. Finally, Godhan was called and he
saved their honour.
We also find that the village people feel very excited
when any small or big function takes place. When the Panchlight was brought, all
were excited to see and touch it. A small ‘puja’ was arranged before lighting
the Panchlight. It shows their deep faith in gods and goddesses.
Usually, people in villages do things in a hurry and
without a good plan. When it was time to light the light, first they forgot to
bring the petrol. And then they could not find as to who was able to light it
properly. Even music programmes were also arranged at such occasions.
2. How did the Panchlight prove to be a boon for Godhan?
Ans. In fact, the Panchlight proved to be a boon
(blessing) for Godhan. He was ostracised (ousted) by the Panchayat of the Mahto
community. There were several reasons for it. He belonged to another village. He
was in the habit of singing filmy romantic songs. Munni’s mother had also
complained to the Panchayat against Godhan. The Panchayat members wanted to
teach him a lesson. So they fined him ten rupees to pay. When he did not pay up
the money, they forced the villagers to ostracise him. He was not allowed to
talk to anyone and mingle socially with them. He was also not allowed to smoke
from their hukkas.
But the situation changed for Mahto Toli when no one
knew how to light the Panchlight. The people of the rival communities were
making fun of them. They had to forgive Godhan for his faults to save their
honour. Godhan, in the beginning, was hesitant. But, soon, he got ready to
light the Panchlight. The Chief was so happy that he made Godhan sit near him.
Gulari Kaki also invited him to eat dinner at her house. Godhan was very happy
to see Munni. Thus, the arrival of the Panchlight was a blessing for Godhan.
Q3. Is
‘Panchlight’, Renu creates a narrative of rural society that remains valid
even today, though the symbols have changed. Discuss.
Ans.
Q4. Describe the excitement generated by the arrival of a Panchlight in the Mahto Toli.
Ans. The narrator tells us about a village where there
are eight ‘Panchayats’. Each ‘Panchayat’ belongs to a particular community and
it is called ‘Toli’ by the local people of that area. Each Panchayat except Mahto Toli has its own’dury’,
‘jajim’, and mats. But Mahto Toli didn’t
have a ‘Panchlight’, which is called a ‘petromax’ lamp and now they have
purchased it at the occasion of ‘Ramnauvmi’ fair’ with the money that was
collected from the fines and penalties over the past fifteen months. The writer
describes beautifully how the arrival of the ‘Panchlight’ generated excitement
in the village.
The ‘orderly’ is carrying the Panchlight on his head.
He is being followed by the Chief, the secretary, and other members. All the
villages suspended their activities and rushed to see the Panchlight the moment
they heard ‘Come on, come on. Hurry! Our Panchalight has come!’
The chief of the Panchayat told his wife to cool down,
take bath and get ready for ‘puja’. The head of the neighbourhood troupe of
singers was also very happy. So he warned them and also advises them to give a
better performance in the light of Panchlight. He told them sternly to touch
the correct notes by their fingers. Gulri Kaki began to hum. Little boys and
girls started shouting and crying in uncontrollable excitement. They were all
talking about the Panchlight.
About one hour before the sun set, people had already
gathered at the Chief’s door to see the light. They all were shouting
‘Panchlight! Panchlight!’ People were anxiously waiting to see how the Panchlight would be lit.
Q4. In
Panchlight, Renu creates a narrative of rural society that remains valid even
today though the symbols have changed. Discuss.
Short
Answer-type Qs (Textual)
Answer the
following in about 50-70 words each:
Q1. Why was
there a mood of celebration in the Mahto Toli?
Ans. There was a mood of celebration in the people of
Mahto Toli. It was because a Panchlight was brought from the city. It was a
matter of great pride and honor for them. Till then, they did not have a
panchlight. The other Tolis of the
village had their own panchlights. It was brought on the occasion of Ramnaumi. About
one hour before the sun set, people had already gathered at the Chief’s door to
see the light. They all were shouting ‘Panchlight! Panchlight!’ People were
anxiously waiting to see how the Panchlight would be lit
Q2. How did
people react when the Panchlight could not be lighted?
Ans. The Panchlight was ready to be lit. But no one knew
how to light it. All present there were in confusion as to what they should do.
They did not want to call any person from other Tolis. They knew that they
would make fun of them. The darkness started spreading. Sadness also started appearing
on the people’s faces standing there. The Chief, the secretary and the orderly
who were boasting about themselves were silent. They were facing the danger of
losing their faces. The people of the Rajput Toli were making fun of them. Then
Kaneli told them that Godhan knew how to light it. After a lot of hesitation,
he was called. He lit the panchlight and saved the honor of the Mahto Toli.
Q3.Why was
Godhan ostracised?
Ans. Godhan was ostracised for his faults. He belonged
to another village. He was in the habit of singing filmy romantic songs. Munni’s
mother had also complained to the Panchayat against Godhan. The Panchayat
members wanted to teach him a lesson. So they fined him ten rupees to pay. When
he did not pay up the money, they forced the villagers to ostracise him. He
was not allowed to talk to anyone and mingle socially with them. He was also
not allowed to smoke from their hukkas.
Q4.How did
the Panchayat solve the issue of Godhan, who is ostracised in the community,
lighting the Panchlight?
Ans. The situation changed for Mahto Toli when no one
knew how to light the Panchlight. The people of the rival communities were
making fun of them. They had to forgive Godhan for his faults to save their
honour. Godhan, in the beginning, was hesitant. But, soon, he got ready to
light the Panchlight. The Chief was so happy that he made Godhan sit near him.
Gulari Kaki also invited him to eat dinner at her house. Godhan was very happy
to see Munni. Thus, the arrival of the Panchlight was a blessing for Godhan.
Q5. How did
the musicians behave that evening?
Ans. The head of the
neighbourhood troupe of singers was also very happy. He told all the members of
his troupe not to sing out-of-tune. They were going to sing in the panchlight. He
tells them sternly to touch the correct notes by their fingers. For some time
they also became sad. But when the panchlight was lit by Godhan, they were very
happy. They started singing. They continued singing in great excitement. There
were jubilant cries: ‘Victory to…Long Live…’ every leaf and twig on every plant
and bush was trembling with happiness.
Q6. Describe
the scene of the excitement when the villagers came to know that the Panchlight
was being brought to the villlage?
Ans. Mahto Toli of the village purchased a panchlight
at the occasion of ‘Ramnauvmi’ fair’. They bought it with the money that was
collected from the fines and penalties over the past fifteen months. The writer
describes beautifully how the arrival of the ‘Panchlight’ generated excitement
in the village.
The ‘orderly’ is carrying the Panchlight on his head.
He is being followed by the Chief, the secretary, and other members. All the
villages suspended their activities and rushed to see the Panchlight the moment
they heard ‘Come on, come on. Hurry! Our Panchalight has come!’
The chief of the Panchayat told his wife to cool down,
take bath and get ready for ‘puja’. The head of the neighbourhood troupe of
singers was also very happy. So he warned them and also advises them to give a
better performance in the light of Panchlight. Gulri Kaki began to hum. Little
boys and girls started shouting and crying in uncontrollable excitement. They
were all talking about the Panchlight.
People were shouting ‘Panchlight! Panchlight!’ People
were anxiously waiting to see how the Panchlight would be lit.
Q7.What did
Godhan do to save the honor of the Mahto Toli?
Ans. The situation changed for Mahto Toli when no one
knew how to light the Panchlight. The people of the rival communities were
making fun of them. They had to forgive Godhan for his faults to save their
honour. Godhan, in the beginning, was hesitant. But, soon, he got ready to
light the Panchlight. The Chief was so happy that he made Godhan sit near him.
Gulari Kaki also invited him to eat dinner at her house. Godhan was very happy
to see Munni. Thus, the arrival of the Panchlight was a blessing for Godhan.
Very Short
Qs & Ans. (Textual and Additional)
Answer the
following questions using a word, a phrase, or one or two sentences each.
Q1. What is
a Panchlight?
Ans. It is a kind of lamp that produces light with
kerosene or spirit.
Q2. How did
the Mahto Toli get the money to buy a Panchlight?
Ans. They got money by collecting a fine for fifteen months.
Q3.How much
did the Panchlight cost?
Ans. Five cowries
Q4. Are a
Panchlight and a lantern the same?
Ans. They are not the same.
Q5. Who
lighted the Panchlight in the end?
Ans. Godhan
Q6. Who knew
that Godhan could light the Panchlight?
Ans. Munri
Q7. What was
the number of the Panchayats/ Tolis in the village?
Ans. Eight
Q8. How was
the ten-rupee note that was left after buying the Panchlight utilised by the
Panchayat?
Ans. They bought materials for ‘puja’.
Q9.What did
the Rajput Toli say while making fun of the Mahto toli?
Ans. They said that the Mahto Toli should do five
sit-ups by holding their ears in front of the panchlight.
Q10.What was
the name of the grocer?
Ans. Rudal Shah
Q11. Whom
did Munri reveal the secret that Godhan knew how to light the panchlight?
Ans. She revealed it to Kaneri.
Q12.What did
Godhan use to light the panchlight?
Ans. coconut oil
Q13. Why did
the Chief forgive Godhan?
Ans. It is because he saved the honor of his Toli.
Q14. Who
invited Godhan to dinner?
Ans. Gulari Kaki
Q15. What
did the Chief say to Godhasn after the panchlight was lit by him?
Ans He told him to sit near hiim.
Q16. Who
persuaded Godhan to come and light the panchlight?
Ans. Gulari Kaki
Q17. When
everything was ready, what problem arose all of a sudden?
Ans. No one knew how to light the panchlight.
