Wind of Change Class 9 Revision Notes help students understand the cultural importance of traditional Indian hand fans (pankhas). This chapter explains their history, regional designs, and how modernization has reduced their everyday use.
Wind of Change Class 9 Revision Notes
Meaning of ‘Pankha’
- The pankha originates from the word ‘pankh,’ which means ‘feather of a bird..
- Pankha is a Hindi word basically used for airflow and cooling.
- Pankha represents traditional Indian craftsmanship.
Summary of Wind of Change Class 9
The chapter focuses on pankhas (hand fans) and how they are important in Indian culture. The word ‘punkha’ or ‘pankha’ originates from the word ‘pankh,’ which means ‘feather of a bird.’
In old times, the pankha was used in homes, temples, and royal courts. Different regions of India have their own unique design and cultural style, which are made of local materials like bamboo, palm leaves, silk, brass, and leather.
Each region in India developed its own unique style:
- Rajasthan: In Rajasthan, pankhas was made of fabric and gold thread to make fans like brass temple fans and painted cardboard fans.
- Gujarat: Gujarat uses cotton fans with mirror work, bead fans with silver handles, and leather-stitched fans (Kutch).
- West Bengal: Bengal makes delicate pankhas from the beautiful milky-white spongy center of the sola. The palm leaf hand fans are locally referred to as “Tal Patar Pankha.”
- Uttar Pradesh: In this state Phadh fans with gold, silver zari, silk, and satin frills are used to make fans.
- Bihar: Bihar uses bamboo fans.
- Odisha: Odisha uses large palm leaf fans.
In modern days the hand pankhas are used for decoration, not for daily use, because of the technology of the electric fans.
Moral of the Story: The moral of the story is preserving the traditional crafts like pankhas even if modern technology replaces them in daily life.
The key points for revision
- Before electric fans, pankhas were widely used.
- Different states have their own culture or tradition to make pankha.
- Pankhas reflect the regional art, craftsmanship, and cultural traditions.
Important Questions and Answers
What is a pankha?
A pankha is a traditional Indian fan used for cooling; these pankhas are made of different materials like bamboo, palm leaf, or cloth.
Why are pankhas important in Indian culture?
Pankha reflects the regional art, craftsmanship, culture, and traditions of the state.
Why has the use of pankhas declined?
The pankha declined due to the invention of electric fans and modern technology.
Name any two states and their styles of making pankhas.
Many states have their own traditions and culture for making pankhas. Gujarat state uses mirrors to make pankhas, and West Bengal uses soft white material, which is known as “sola,” to make pankhas.
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