5.1 Raksha Bandhan

A1. Indian Festivals

Match the festivals with their date / month of celebration. Festivals Months

Dipawali 14th JanuaryHoli Ashwin-KartikPola 25th DecemberChristmas FalgunMaker Sankrant ShravanBaisakhi BhadrapadGauri Ganpati Chitra

A2. Festival and their message – Match the festivals with the message they deliver

Festivals MessageBaisakhi gratitude and love for animalsId-ul-Fitra celebration of harvestDipawali celebration of receivingRaksha Bandhan hope and enjoy in lifePola message of almightyGood Friday sister’s love and respect for brother

A3.Read and find outRead the poem silently and select he proper alternative to complete the following:

1. The day of Shravan is described as ____ (golden / sacred).2. The thread of Rakhi is _____ (Red / silken)3. The custom of celebrating Rakhi Pournima is ____ (latest / traditional)4. Sister’s wishes can’t be _____ (purer / polluted).5. The pretty faith is expressed through _____ (happy thread/golden ring).

Raksha BandhanPIECE of silken tassel tipped with gold,

Tied round the hand by loving sister’s hands.A sacred day in Sravan, when the lands

Are bathed in welcome rain, is said to holdA potent charm for good from days of old

This pretty faith has come and happy bandsOf brothers still pay heed to its commands

One day each year. Who will be rashly boldAnd flout this festival as void of worth –

An ancient mummery – to which man showsHis slavish piety? Let him, who knowsOf beings more devoted than the fair,Of wishes purer than a sister’s care,

And stronger powers than woman’s love on earth.Glossary:Tassel: bunch of threads that are tied togetherRipped: thin pointed endFlout: show that you have no respect for lawVoid: large empty spaceMummery: performance by using mask on facePiety: state of having or showing a deep respect for

A4. Read the poem again and after discussing with your partner answer the following questions:

1. What is Rakhi described as?2. How is the atmosphere on the day of Rakshabandhan?3. What do the happy bands of brothers do on the day of Rakshabandhan?4. Who may flout the festival as void of worth?5. Who, according to the poet, can challenge the worth of the celebration,

Rakshabandhan?6. Do you know the name of another festival which is also celebrated to show

love and respect of sister for brother? What are its features?

A5. Read and find out Read the poem again and complete the following table. You may work in pairs:

Festival Month Weather Celebration Message / importance

A6. Appreciation:Work in pairs. Read the poem again. You must have found that the poet has used a number of adjectives to give exact description. For example: silken tassel

Find atleast 6 to 7 more examples of adjective + noun from the poem.Think of other adjectives giving similar effect. For example: holy day

A7. Be a poet:Divide the class in groups of four students each. Choose festival to compose a short poem.

Think of ideas Prepare pairs of rhyming words Make use of similes (as – as, like as, expressions.) Use of colour and sound images Personal experiences Message and importance

A8. ProjectFestivals and Nature CareYou know that every Indian festival is associated with the worship of nature and environment.

Work in groups of about 10 students each. Choose a festival of your choice. Prepare a poster.

Make use of drawings, newspaper clippings, slogans, etc. Take care that the message is suitable in today’s life.

Holi Ganesh Festival

Play Holi Eco-friendly! Install clay idols

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