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(Segment-1)
The news that
Bayaji was building a storeyed house spread like a cry from the rooftops. There
was only one storeyed house in the village and that belonged to Kondiba Patil.
That Bayaji, an untouchable creature, should think of a rival storeyed house
was too much for Kondiba to bear. Others also murmured that the untouchables
were forgetting their position.
Work on the
foundation had started. Dattaram Vadar was given the contract of construction.
The foundation trenches were filled with mud, bits of stone and other fillings.
Work progressed with speed. One day Bayaji saw Kondiba coming towards him and
greeted him. 'It's with your blessings that I have ventured on this storeyed
house.'
'Baiju, you shouldn't
lose your head simply because you've set aside some money. Do you aspire to an
equal status with us by building this house? The poor should remain content
with their cottage, understand?' Kondiba remarked rather sharply.
'No Patil, please
don't misunderstand me.' Bayaji was a little dizzy with nervousness.
'How do you say
that? One should keep to one's position. You shouldn't let a little money turn
your head.'
'I only wish to
build a shelter for my family. Then I shall be free to breathe my last.' Bayaji
answered.
'Who says you
shouldn't have a house? You can have a small house with three convenient
portions, a veranda in the front and at the back and the living section in the
middle. Why spend unnecessarily on a storeyed house?' Patil gave his counsel.
'No, but……'
Bayaji faltered.
'You may go in
for a storeyed house only if you don't wish to stay in this village. I hope you
know what I mean.' Kondiba shot out as a warning and walked away. Other
ruffians in the village threatened Bayaji in a similar manner.
Out of fear
Bayaji had to abandon plans for the storeyed house. The conventional
three-portioned house was taken up. Work was resumed and the walls rose
rapidly. The middle portion was a little elevated and a small first storey
fixed up there with a wooden flooring. This part could be reached by stairs
rising from the kitchen. No one could guess from outside that there was a first
storey to the house. Bayaji had to make the best of things.
The house was
complete and the traditional housewarming ceremony was planned. Invitations
were sent to relatives in different villages. The village elders, by
convention, could not be invited to a meal or refreshments, so they were
invited to the ceremonial paan-supari.
Bayaji put up a fine pandal in front
of the house. His sons worked hard for two
full days on the decorations. Relatives started arriving. Well-known devotional
singers, Kadegaonkar Buwa, Parasu Buwa, Kalekar Bapu Master, Jija Buwa and
Vithoba of Wadgaon came with their troupes. People looked forward with delight
to the forthcoming contest among the various troupes.
Now check the answers with your views:
1.What
was the news mentioned in the passage?
The news was that Bayaji started building a storeyed house as a rivalry.
2.How did
the news spread?
The news spread like a cry from roof tops.
3.Who was
planning to build something?
Bayaji was planning to build something which was a storeyed house.
4.What
kind of a building he wanted to build?
Bayaji wanted to build a storeyed house.
5.How
many storeyed houses were there in the village? Whose was that?
There was only one storeyed house that belonged to Kondiba Patil.
6.Do you
think building a storeyed house becomes a rival? Why?
It’s not at all a rival to build a storeyed house for anybody because everyone
has the right to have their own dreaming house.
7.Why did
Kondiba not bear Bayaji building a storeyed house?
It was the only storeyed house of Kondiba Patil in the village. When
Bayaji, they felt that he was an untouchable, started to build a storeyed
house, he didn’t bear the news. Because his would be old one and Bayaji would
definitely become the person who had the new storeyed house and get the
admiration of the villagers soon.
8.Who do
you think the others who murmured?
The other people in the village might be other than Bayaji’s community
people who murmured that Bayaji had forgotten his position in the village.
9.What do
you think they murmured?
They might have murmured that the people of Bayaji’s community forgot
their positions in the village. In those days they were seen untouchables.
10.Who was
compared to untouchable creature?
Bayaji was compared to an untouchable creature.
11.Do you
think Bayaji really thought of rival to build a storeyed house?
No, I don’t think so. Because Bayaji had worked for thirty-five years
in Bombay dockyard where he might have not seen any difference among the
people. So, he started it as a need and wish of him. But people around thought
it as rival.
12.Do you
think there are different positions according to the cast and religions? Why?
No, I don’t think that there are different positions according to the
cast and religions now. Because the Constitution of India gave the equal right
for every citizen of India.
13.Who was
given contract of construction?
Duttaram Vadar was given the contract of construction of the dreaming
house of Bayaji.
14.Who was
Duttaram Vadar?
Duttaram Vada was a building contractor.
15.How did
the work start?
The work started quicky and progressed with speed.
16.‘The
poor should remain content with their cottage,’ Kondiba remarked rather
sharply. Do you agree with Kondiba? Why?
No, I don’t agree with Kondiba. Everybody has their own right to have
dreamed house. The poverty may affect the lives of the poor people but not fulfilling
their dreams.
17.Bayaji
was a little dizzy with nervousness. Why?
Bayaji knew that he couldn’t bear with the people who oppose building a
storeyed house but he tried. When he got a threat from Kondiba Patil, Bayaji
was a little dizzy with nervousness as he was unable to make his dreams real.
18.Why do
you think Kondiba warned Bayaji?
Only Kondiba Patil had the storeyed house in the village and never accept
the poor to become equal to him. But Bayaji started to build a storeyed house
which would make him equal to Kondiba. Hence, he warned Bayaji to abandon the
plans for storeyed house.
19.Who
wished to build a shelter? For whom did he want to build it?
Bayaji wished to build a shelter for his family.
20.What
was Kondiba’s suggestion to Bayaji?
Kondiba
suggested a small house with three convenient portions, a veranda in the front
and at the back and the living section in the middle for Bayaji.
21.What
was Kondiba’s warning to Bayaji?
Kondiba warned Bayaji not to build a storeyed house if he could wish to
live in the village.
22.Who do
you think the ruffians in the village?
The ruffians in the village might the people who always support people
like Kondiba in the village.
23.Why did
Bayaji abandon plans for storeyed house?
Bayaji terrified with the warning given by Kondiba and some other
people and abandoned plans for storeyed house.
24.If you were
Bayaji do you abandon plans for storeyed house? Why?
If I were Bayaji I wouldn’t abandon plans for storeyed house. Because
it’s my right to have my own house.
25.What
was taken up instead of storeyed house?
A conventional three-portioned house was taken up instead of storeyed
house.
26.How was
the middle portion built?
The
middle portion was a little elevated and a small first storey fixed up there
with a wooden flooring. This part could be reached by stairs rising from the
kitchen. No one could guess from outside that there was a first storey to the
house.
27.How
could one reach the raised part?
This
part could be reached by stairs rising from the kitchen.
28.What
were sent to relatives? Why?
As the construction of the house was finished, the invitations were
sent to relatives and friends for house warming ceremony.
29.What
was the programme plan for?
The house warming ceremony was planned for the new house.
30.Who
were invited for meal?
The relatives and friends of Bayaji were invited for meal.
31.Who
were invited for Pan Supari? Why were they not invited for meal?
The
village elders, by convention, could not be invited to a meal or refreshments,
so they were invited to the ceremonial paan-supari.
32.Who
worked on decorations?
Bayaji’s
sons worked hard for two full days on
the decorations.
33.Have
you ever worked on decorations? When?
Yes, I have worked on decoration for my brother’s/sister’s/……. Birthday
celebrations.
34.Who
came with their troupes? Why?
Well-known
devotional singers, Kadegaonkar Buwa, Parasu Buwa, Kalekar Bapu Master, Jija
Buwa and Vithoba of Wadgaon came with their troupes for singing competition at
Bayaji’s new house warming ceremony.
35.Kondiba
threatened Bayaji not to build a storeyed house. Bayaji finally changed his
plans to three-portioned conventional house. Before taking the decision Bayaji
might have thought over the issue. Now write the thoughts of Bayaji regarding
the decision.
36.When
Kondiba met Bayaji there was a conversation took place. Kondiba threatened
Bayaji not to build a storeyed house. Now write a possible conversation between
these two.
37. Finally,
the house was built. Bayaji plans to invite his friends and relatives. Now
prepare an invitation behalf of Bayaji to invite for the house warming
ceremony.
