Winds of Change is a chapter from the Class 9 English Kaveri textbook. It is about the traditional Indian hand fan called the pankha. The writer describes where this fan came from, how different states of India made their own version of it, what materials were used, and why this craft is slowly disappearing in today’s world.
🌬️ Winds of Change
Class 8 English · Kaveri · Chapter 3
📚 What's Inside
1 About the Chapter
This chapter is a factual article about the traditional Indian hand fan — the pankha. It takes us through the history of pankhas, shows us how different states in India craft their own unique versions, and explains why preserving this art matters today.
💡 Why is the chapter called "Winds of Change"?
- Literal meaning — a pankha creates a wind, a breeze
- Figurative meaning — the pankha itself has changed — from a daily-use cooling tool to a decorative cultural artifact sold commercially
The title captures both the object (fan) and its journey through time.
2 Glossary — Word Meanings
IMPpankha / pankhi
Pankha = fan (all kinds); Pankhi = small feathered fan. Both from pankh = feather of a bird
Pankha = fan (all kinds); Pankhi = small feathered fan. Both from pankh = feather of a bird
indigenous
Local — belonging to the place where it originally came from
Local — belonging to the place where it originally came from
innovative
New and original in approach
New and original in approach
industrious
Hardworking
Hardworking
intricate
Elaborate and finely detailed
Elaborate and finely detailed
invoked
Brought out; stirred a feeling
Brought out; stirred a feeling
initiatives
Actions taken to improve a situation
Actions taken to improve a situation
encrusted
Covered or decorated with something
Covered or decorated with something
sola
A type of water grass used to make fans in Bengal
A type of water grass used to make fans in Bengal
perpetually
Constantly; all the time
Constantly; all the time
antiquity
The very distant past
The very distant past
advent
The arrival of something new
The arrival of something new
✅ Match the Column — Answer Key
| # | Word | Correct Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | indigenous | (iv) local — from where it originated |
| 2 | innovative | (v) new and original in approach |
| 3 | industrious | (i) hardworking |
| 4 | intricate | (vi) elaborate/detailed |
| 5 | invoked | (iii) brought out |
| 6 | initiatives | (ii) actions to improve a situation |
3 The Story of Pankhas
🪶 Where Did the Pankha Come From?
The word pankha originates from pankh, meaning the feather of a bird. A pankhi was a small plumed fan used in ancient India. The oldest evidence appears in Buddhist wall paintings at Ajanta, dating back to the 2nd century CE. Representations also appear in sculptures, embroidery, and carvings.
IMP
Ancient uses of pankha:
- Used in temples to fan deities (gods)
- Used in royal courts to fan kings
- Ranged from tiny 2-inch fans to large ones needing full arm strength
🛤️ How Pankhas Spread Across India
Over time, pankhas became significant cultural goods traded across regions. They were considered exotic and stylish. Every village and town began crafting its own version using local materials — bamboo, cane, palm leaf, silk, brass, leather, silver — often decorated with beads and stones.
🔄 Pankhas Today
In modern times, pankhas have shifted from everyday use to decorative and cultural objects. Technology replaced their practical function. However, this shift created a commercial market — pankhas now provide livelihoods to India's artisans.
How can the pankha craft be preserved?
- Workshops, exhibitions, and craft fairs that celebrate pankhas
- Giving artisans a commercial platform to showcase and sell their work
- Balancing traditional methods with innovative designs to attract modern buyers
4 Regional Varieties of Pankha
IMP| State | Type of Fan | Material / Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan | Appliqué hand fan | Fabric pieces in different shapes, sewn with ornamental needlework |
| Rajasthan | Zardozi hand fan | Glittering encrusted gold threadwork |
| Rajasthan | Temple hand fan | Engraved brass with a long handle; offered to gods |
| Gujarat | Mirror work hand fan | Pure cotton embellished with mirror work |
| Gujarat | Beads hand fan | Colourful beads with a silver handle; used as wall decor |
| Gujarat (Kutch) | Leather hand fan | Hand-stitched leather, decorated with thread and wool at seams |
| West Bengal | Sola fan / Tal Patar Pankha | Sola (water grass) centre or palm leaf; lightweight, kept in every Bengali home |
| Uttar Pradesh | Phadh hand fan | Pure gold, silver zari, silk and satin frills |
| Odisha | Large palm leaf fan | Known across India for its antiquity and rarity |
| Bihar | Bamboo hand fan | Colourful and sturdy bamboo fans |
| Tribal India | Tribal pankhas | Grass, metal, cane, bamboo; geometric patterns with white ink and red background |
5 Pankha Varieties Across India
6 Check Your Understanding
Fill in the table — answers provided below:
| State | Type of Fan | Material Used |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan | Appliqué hand fan | Fabric pieces with ornamental needlework |
| Rajasthan | Zardozi hand fan | Glittering gold thread |
| Rajasthan | Temple hand fans | Engraved brass with long handle |
| Gujarat | Mirror work hand fans | Pure cotton with mirror work |
| Gujarat | Beads hand fan | Colourful beads with silver handle |
| Gujarat (Kutch) | Leather hand fan | Leather, thread and wool |
| West Bengal | Sola / Tal Patar Pankha | Sola (water grass) or palm leaf |
| Uttar Pradesh | Phadh hand fan | Gold, silver zari, silk, satin frills |
| Bihar | Bamboo hand fan | Bamboo |
7 Critical Reflection — All Answers
IMP📌 Extract 1 — Questions & Answers
Q (i) — True or False: "Pankhas were one of the most popular items of commerce."
✅ Answer
False. The text says pankhas were significant cultural goods distributed through trade routes, but never claims they were the most popular items of commerce.
Q (ii) — Why has the word 'traditional' been used to describe pankhas?
✅ Answer
Pankhas have been made and used in India for hundreds of years. They are deeply rooted in local culture, passed down through generations, and closely linked to the customs, rituals, and identity of each region.
Q (iii) — "They were considered exotic and stylish" is an opinion because ___
✅ Answer
…it reflects what people felt or believed about pankhas, not a measurable fact. Opinions like "exotic" and "stylish" differ from person to person and cannot be objectively proven.
Q (iv) — Infer one reason for the commonality in use of pankhas across India.
✅ Answer
Most of India experiences hot summers. This shared climate created a common need for cooling, which meant pankhas were used widely across different regions regardless of culture or geography.
Q (v) — Correct assertion for: "Pankhas were made of indigenous materials with elaborate designs."
✅ Answer
A. Each kind of pankha could be distinguished from the other.
The unique local materials and intricate designs of each region made every type of pankha visually distinct and identifiable.
The unique local materials and intricate designs of each region made every type of pankha visually distinct and identifiable.
📌 Extract 2 — Questions & Answers
Q (i) — Infer one negative impact of technological advancement on pankha.
✅ Answer
Electric fans and air conditioners replaced the practical need for hand-made pankhas. This drastically reduced their everyday use, putting the traditional craft at risk of dying out.
Q (ii) — The writer calls pankhas a 'culture' rather than just an object because ___
✅ Answer
…pankhas carry the art, history, identity, and craftsmanship of the region that makes them. They reflect a community's way of life, beliefs, and creativity — not just a function.
Q (iii) — Select a line that shows how the role of pankha has changed.
✅ Answer
"Once made for personal use, over time this handicraft has transformed into a commercial business."
Q (iv) — One way increased demand might benefit artisans.
✅ Answer
Greater demand means artisans can sell more, giving them a steady and sustainable livelihood — reducing their dependence on other forms of income.
Q (v) — The main factor behind commercialisation of pankhas.
✅ Answer
B. Economic demand — As people began valuing pankhas as decorative and cultural items, rising demand drove their commercialisation.
📌 Section II — Long Answer Questions
Q1. How does "Winds of Change" capture the essence of the chapter?
✅ Answer
The title works on two levels. Literally, a pankha creates a wind or breeze. Figuratively, "change" reflects the transformation of the pankha — from a daily cooling tool to a cultural artifact sold commercially. The title captures both the object and the journey it has taken through time.
Q2. Support: 'The structure and design of pankhas are testimony to the cultural identity of the region.'
✅ Answer
Example 1 — Rajasthan's appliqué and zardozi fans use gold threadwork and ornamental stitching, reflecting the region's rich embroidery traditions and history of royal grandeur.
Example 2 — Gujarat's mirror work fans, made of cotton with colourful beads, reflect the state's famous bead craft and the skilled handiwork of its home-based women artisans.
Example 2 — Gujarat's mirror work fans, made of cotton with colourful beads, reflect the state's famous bead craft and the skilled handiwork of its home-based women artisans.
Q3. How can balancing tradition and innovation help preserve the pankha craft?
✅ Answer
Traditional methods keep the cultural identity of pankhas alive. Innovative designs attract modern buyers who value something both stylish and rooted in heritage. Together, this balance allows the craft to remain relevant without losing its soul. Artisans who blend both are more likely to earn well and continue the craft across generations.
Q4. How might pankha-making workshops help preserve the craft?
✅ Answer
Workshops teach the craft to new people — especially the young — building a future generation of artisans. They also give existing craftspeople a platform to demonstrate their skills, attract buyers, and educate the public about the cultural value of pankhas. Exhibitions create awareness and interest, which drives demand.
Q5. How can 'celebrating pankhas' benefit artisans and the craft?
✅ Answer
Celebrating pankhas creates public interest and increases demand. This gives artisans a larger market, better income, and the pride and motivation to continue their work. It also reminds people that pankhas are living pieces of Indian art — not just relics of the past.
Q6. What does the shift to decorative use tell us about the changing role of pankhas in modern India?
✅ Answer
It shows that technology has replaced the practical need for pankhas. However, their decorative role is a positive change — people now value them as cultural and artistic symbols. Pankhas are no longer just cooling tools; they are treasured expressions of India's diverse heritage.
8 Vocabulary — Word Pairs
Classify the Pairs (Exercise Answer)
| Appearance | Place | Material |
|---|---|---|
| exotic and stylish ornate and encrusted | within and outside villages and towns | thread and wool silk and brass |
More word pairs from the text:
- bamboo and cane (material)
- sculptures and carvings (art forms)
- beads and stones (decoration)
- cultures and rituals (tradition)
- temples and courts (place)
9 Fixed Expressions with "and"
IMP
In English, some "and" expressions have a fixed order that cannot be reversed. The shorter word usually comes first.
Example: bread and butter ✅ |butter and bread ❌
Example: bread and butter ✅ |
| Fixed Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| high and dry | In a difficult situation, without help or money |
| hard and fast | Strict; cannot be changed |
| facts and figures | Accurate and detailed information |
| all and sundry | Everyone, not just a few special people |
| wear and tear | Damage caused by normal, regular use |
| time and again | Often; on many occasions |
| through thick and thin | Even when there are problems or difficulties |
| cut and run | To make a quick or sudden escape |
IMP
Meaning Match — Quick Reference:
- In a difficult situation → high and dry
- Damage due to normal use → wear and tear
- Accurate detailed information → facts and figures
- Even when there are problems → through thick and thin
- Everyone, not just a few → all and sundry
- Often; on many occasions → time and again
- To make a quick escape → cut and run
10 Collocations
What is a collocation? A collocation is a pair of words that naturally go together in English.
Examples from the text: sustainable livelihood · aesthetically pleasing · appreciating the culture
Examples from the text: sustainable livelihood · aesthetically pleasing · appreciating the culture
Choose the Correct Word — Answers
- The students have to take the English exam tomorrow. (take an exam)
- The interviewer asked the candidate to take a seat. (take a seat)
- My scooter ran into a car. (ran into = collided with)
- I must take responsibility for my success. (take responsibility)
- I would like to improve my grammar. (improve = natural fit here)
11 Grammar — Present Perfect Tense
IMP
What is Present Perfect Tense?
Used for actions that happened in the past but are still relevant now. Also used for recently completed actions.
Formula: Subject + have / has + Past Participle (V3)
Use has with he / she / it | Use have with I / we / you / they
Used for actions that happened in the past but are still relevant now. Also used for recently completed actions.
Formula: Subject + have / has + Past Participle (V3)
Use has with he / she / it | Use have with I / we / you / they
From the Chapter — Examples
- Pankhas have become traditional craft items in India.
- Women workers have worked tirelessly in pankha-making.
- Many tribes have adopted this handicraft.
- This handicraft has transformed into a commercial business.
Fill in the Blanks — Puppetry Paragraph (Answers)
- have created intricate characters and captivating stories
- have mastered the delicate movements that bring lifeless figures to life
- puppetry has evolved, using modern technology while preserving traditional techniques
- Many puppeteers have passed down their craft through generations
- They have performed in theatres, on television, and at festivals
12 The Last Leaf
by O. Henry · Abridged
🍃 The Story
Sue and Johnsy were two young artists sharing a small flat on the third floor of an old house. In November, Johnsy fell seriously ill with pneumonia. She lay still in bed all day, staring out of the window. Sue called the doctor, but there was no improvement.
The doctor quietly told Sue: "Johnsy has made up her mind that she is not going to get well. If she doesn't want to live, medicines will not help her."
One day, Sue heard Johnsy counting backwards — twelve, eleven, ten… She was watching an old ivy creeper on the brick wall outside. Its leaves were falling in the storm. Johnsy had decided: when the last leaf falls, I will die.
Sue rushed downstairs to Behrman — a sixty-year-old painter whose lifelong dream was to paint a masterpiece. He had never achieved it. Sue told him everything. That stormy, rainy night, Behrman quietly went outside.
The next morning, Johnsy asked Sue to open the curtains. She expected the tree to be bare. But one leaf was still there — green, steady, clinging to the vine. Day after day, through every storm, it did not fall. Slowly, Johnsy began to hope again. She started eating. She began to recover.
Then Sue came in one morning and said: "Mr Behrman died of pneumonia this morning. He was found soaking wet on that stormy night. Near his room — a ladder, a still-lit lantern, and brushes with green and yellow paint."
IMP
The Twist — Behrman's Masterpiece:
The last leaf was not real. Behrman had painted it on the wall that stormy night. He went out in the cold and rain knowing it might cost him his life. It did. But it saved Johnsy's. That painted leaf was the masterpiece he had always dreamed of creating.
The last leaf was not real. Behrman had painted it on the wall that stormy night. He went out in the cold and rain knowing it might cost him his life. It did. But it saved Johnsy's. That painted leaf was the masterpiece he had always dreamed of creating.
13 Story — Questions & Answers
IMPQ. Who were Sue and Johnsy?
✅ Answer
Two young artists and close friends who shared a small flat on the third floor of an old house.
Q. What strange belief did Johnsy hold?
✅ Answer
Johnsy believed that when the last leaf of the ivy creeper outside her window fell, she would die. She kept counting the remaining leaves as each one dropped.
Q. Why did the doctor say medicines wouldn't help Johnsy?
✅ Answer
Johnsy had lost the will to live. The doctor explained that medicines can only cure the body — not the mind. Without wanting to get well, no treatment could work.
Q. Who was Behrman and what was his unfulfilled dream?
✅ Answer
Behrman was a sixty-year-old painter living on the ground floor. His lifelong dream was to paint a masterpiece — but it had always remained just a dream. Until that final stormy night.
Q. How did the last leaf save Johnsy's life?
✅ Answer
Johnsy believed she would die when the last leaf fell. But the leaf (painted by Behrman) never fell — not through the storms, not through the cold. Watching it hold on gave Johnsy hope and the courage to fight her illness. She slowly regained her will to live and began to recover.
Q. What clues revealed that Behrman had painted the leaf?
✅ Answer
- A ladder and a still-burning lantern were found near his room
- Green and yellow paint and brushes lay on the floor
- He was found soaking wet — he had clearly been out in the storm
- The leaf never moved in the wind — because it was painted on a wall, not a real leaf
Q. Why is the story's ending called a "twist"?
✅ Answer
Throughout the story, both Johnsy and the reader believe the leaf is real. The shocking reveal — that it was painted by Behrman that very night — changes everything. The old man who could never finish his masterpiece completed it in the most selfless way possible: by giving his life to save another.
Q. What is the theme or moral of "The Last Leaf"?
✅ Answer
Hope can save a life. The story also shows that the greatest art is born from love and sacrifice. Behrman's selfless act — going out into the storm knowing the risk — is what makes the leaf a true masterpiece. It also teaches us that the will to live is more powerful than any medicine.
Winds of Change · Class 8 Kaveri · Study Guide
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