1. Read the passage and answer the following questions
A craftwork is an applied form of art, a social and cultural product reflecting the inclusive nature of folk imagination. A craftwork, which usually doesn't bear the signature of its maker, retains a personal touch. When we look at a thirty-year-old nakshikantha we wonder at its motifs and designs that point to the artistic ingenuity and the presence of the maker in it. The fact that we don't know her name or any other details about her doesn't take anything away from our appreciation of the artist. Indeed, the intimate nature of the kantha and the tactile feeling it generates animate the work and make it very inviting.
A craftwork is shaped by the interaction of individual creativity and community aesthetics, utility functions and human values. It is distinguished by its maker's desire to locate himself or herself in the wider and ever-changing cultural aspirations of the community, and subsequently of the market. But even when the market is an important factor, community aesthetics remains the factor determining the form and content of the craftwork. The exquisite terracotta dolls from Dinajpur dating back to early 1940s that form a part of the Bangladesh National Museum's collection were mostly bought from village fairs by some patron. They were no doubt meant to be consumer items, but the dolls reflect community aesthetics in such a manner that the market has not been able to impose its own preferences on them.
1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
a. In the passage the world 'product' means
(i) fruit (ii) legacy (iii) good (iv) commodity
b. What could be the closest meaning for 'inclusive'?
(i) narrow (ii) exclusive (iii) comprehensive (iv) partial
c. In the passage the word 'ingenuity' means
(i) Skillfulness (ii) clumsiness (iii) dullness (iv) useless
d. The word 'exquisite' in the passage means
(i) Unatractive (ii) imperfect (iii) charming (iv) ugly
e. What does the word 'animate' in the passage mean?
(i) inhabit (ii) stimulate (iii) enroll (iv) dishearten
2. Answer the following questions in pretty detail. Use more than one sentence where necessary.
a. Define Craftwork and give example.
b. How is a craftwork shaped?
c. What determines the form and content of a craftwork?
d. How do terracotta dolls overcome market imposition?
e. What does an inanimate nakshikanta bear?
Answer:
1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:
a. In the passage the word 'product' means:(iv) commodity
b. What could be the closest meaning for 'inclusive'?(iii) comprehensive
c. In the passage the word 'ingenuity' means:(i) skillfulness
d. The word 'exquisite' in the passage means:(iii) charming
e. What does the word 'animate' in the passage mean?(ii) stimulate
2. Answer the following questions in detail:
a. Define Craftwork and give an example.
Craftwork is an applied form of art that reflects the social and cultural imagination of a community. It is often created without the signature of its maker but retains a personal touch that shows the artist’s presence. An example of craftwork is a nakshikantha, which is a traditional embroidered quilt from Bangladesh, known for its intricate motifs and designs.
b. How is a craftwork shaped?
A craftwork is shaped by the interaction of individual creativity and the aesthetic values of the community. It also reflects utility functions and human values. This means that while the artist adds personal creativity, the craft is influenced by the cultural and social aspirations of the community, and even by the demands of the market.
c. What determines the form and content of a craftwork?
The form and content of a craftwork are primarily determined by community aesthetics, which refers to the collective artistic taste and cultural values of the community. Even though market demands can influence craftwork, it is the community’s aesthetic preferences that play the most significant role in shaping its design and purpose.
d. How do terracotta dolls overcome market imposition?
The terracotta dolls from Dinajpur, even though they were meant to be consumer items, reflect strong community aesthetics. This means that the traditional designs and cultural values embedded in the dolls were so influential that the market could not change or impose its own preferences on them. The dolls maintained their unique artistic qualities despite being sold in the market.
e. What does an inanimate nakshikantha bear?
An inanimate nakshikantha bears the personal touch and artistic ingenuity of its maker. Even though it is just an object, it reflects the creativity, emotions, and presence of the artist through its intricate motifs and designs. This personal connection makes the nakshikantha feel lively and inviting, as if the spirit of the maker is still present within it.
Bangla Translation
একটি হস্তশিল্প শিল্পের একটি প্রয়োগিক রূপ, যা লোক কল্পনার অন্তর্ভুক্তিমূলক প্রকৃতিকে প্রতিফলিত করে। একটি হস্তশিল্প, যা সাধারণত তার নির্মাতার স্বাক্ষর বহন করে না, একটি ব্যক্তিগত স্পর্শ ধরে রাখে। যখন আমরা ত্রিশ বছর বয়সী নকশিকাঁথার দিকে তাকাই, তখন আমরা এর মোটিফ এবং নকশাগুলি দেখে অবাক হই যা শৈল্পিক দক্ষতা এবং এতে নির্মাতার উপস্থিতি নির্দেশ করে। আমরা তার নাম বা তার সম্পর্কে অন্য কোনও বিবরণ না জানার বিষয়টি শিল্পীর প্রতি আমাদের উপলব্ধি থেকে কোনও কিছুকে কমিয়ে দেয় না। প্রকৃতপক্ষে, কাঁথার অন্তরঙ্গ প্রকৃতি এবং এটি যে স্পর্শকাতর অনুভূতি তৈরি করে তা কাজটিকে সজীব করে তোলে এবং এটিকে খুব আকর্ষণীয় করে তোলে।
Ad
1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B.
A craftwork thus is a dynamic object-always evolving, and always abreast of changing tastes and preferences. It also represents a way of life and a cultural flavour. Therefore changes in lifestyle and material conditions are expected to have their impact on craftworks and their production. But certain forms, shapes, styles and aesthetic preferences change little over time, suggesting that a craftwork can function as a stable signifier of community values and desires over time. Mechanical and mass production take away this feeling of assurance and stability and the sense of continuity that the handmade craftwork evokes.
In the clash between expectations of pure, handmade craftworks and the market need of mechanically produced craftworks, two contesting views emerge: on the one hand, traditionalists contend that the society needs to preserve the authenticity and naturalness of craftworks and their association with domesticity and environment; and, on the other, promoters of machine production argue that the machine has helped restore the appeal of the crafts due to their cheaper production costs.
There are no easy solutions to the problems that craftworks face in our time. Crafts that are disappearing can and should be revived, even where the machine has made the prospect difficult. And crafts that are still practiced can be safeguarded and made to consolidate their position further. This can be done by providing grants, loans, assistance and other support to the producers, and helping them find a comfortable customer base. But more importantly, craftwork can be branded and successfully marketed throughout the country and beyond as there are always buyers and users of handmade products who feel a strong attraction towards such cultural products.
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1☓5 = 5
(a) What does the phrase 'sense of continuity' mean?
(i) with interruption (ii) having compactness
(iii) faultless (iv) unbarred
(b) Craftwork is influenced by —.
(i) changes in lifestyle (ii) the past (iii) fashion (iv) people's desire
(c) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word 'evoke'?
(i) dormant (ii) latent (iii) awaken (iv) evict
(d) What is the closest meaning of the word 'dynamic'?
(i) static (ii) immovable (iii) settled (iv) motion
(e) What is the meaning of the word 'evolving'?
(i) unfold (ii) confidential (iii) unrevealed (iv) hidden
(f) The word 'preference' means —.
(i) choice (ii) pick (iii) fancy (iv) favour
(g) 'It also represents a way of life and a cultural flavour.' Here cultural flavour means —
(i) cultural mix (ii) attributes of a culture (iii) cultural presence (iv) cultural value
(h) The word 'impact' refers to —.
(i) meaning (ii) shock (iii) contact (iv) influence
(i) The synonym of the word 'production' is —.
(i) assembly (ii) consumption (iii) manufacturing (iv) staging
(j) The closest meaning of the word 'aesthetic' is —
(i) beautiful (ii) unlocked (iii) fine arts (iv) product
(k) The word 'suggesting' means —.
(i) ordering (ii) moving (iii) indicating (iv) hinting
(l) The meaning of 'stable' is —.
(i) shaky (ii) abiding (iii) fast (iv) fixed
(m) The word 'assurance' refers to —.
(i) confidence (ii) certainty (iii) uncertainty (iv) courage
(n) The closest meaning of 'continuity' is —.
(i) connection (ii) flow (iii) sequence (iv) linkage
(o) The word 'clash' means —.
(i) fight (ii) conflict (iii) collision (iv) clank
(p) The word 'emerge' refers to —.
(i) arise (ii) issue (iii) fade (iv) develop
(q) The word 'authenticity' means —.
(i) invalidity (ii) honesty (iii) truth (iv) genuineness
(r) The closest meaning of the word 'preserve' is —.
(i) destroy (ii) ruin (iii) maintain (iv) keep
(s) The meaning of 'association' is —.
(i) alliance (ii) society (iii) company (iv) tie
(t) The word 'promoter' means —.
(i) introducer (ii) founder (iii) advertiser (iv) seller
(u) The word 'argue' refers to —.
(i) show (ii) talk (iii) discuss (iv) claim
(v) The word 'restore' means —.
(i) return (ii) revive (iii) repair (iv) replace
Answer (A):
(a) (ii) having compactness (b) (i) changes in lifestyle (c) (iii) awaken (d) (iv) motion (e) (i) unfold (f) (i) choice (g) (ii) attributes of a culture (h) (iv) influence (i) (iii) manufacturing (j) (i) beautiful (k) (iii) indicating (l) (iv) fixed (m) (ii) certainty (n) (i) connection (o) (iii) collision (p) (i) arise (q) (iv) genuineness (r) (iii) maintain (s) (i) alliance (t) (ii) founder (u) (iii) discuss (v) (ii) revive
B. Answer the following questions. 2☓5 = 10
(a) Why is a craftwork familiar as a dynamic object?
(b) What does a craftwork represent?
(c) What kind of objects have an impact on craftworks?
(d) What is the argument of the traditionalists?
(e) Why should we preserve our traditional craftworks?
(f) What is a craftwork?
(g) Why are crafts disappearing?
(h) What is your idea about art and craftwork?
(i) What does market play in promoting crafts?
(j) 'Mechanically produced craftwork is a big challenge to the handmade craftwork'. Do you support it?
Answer (B):
(a) A craftwork is familiar as a dynamic object because it is always evolving and always abreast of changing tastes and preferences.
(b) A craftwork represents a way of life and a cultural flavour.
(c) Changes in lifestyle and material condition, changes in nature and environment have impact on craftworks.
(d) Traditionalists contend that the society needs to preserve the authenticity on naturalness of craftworks and their association with domesticity and environment.
(e) We know that crafts play a vital role in the life of ordinary people and they are an important part of the society and historical culture. That's why we should preserve our traditional craftworks.
(f) A craftwork is an applied form of art in making products with hands. In other words, a craftwork is the work done by a craftsman.
(g) Crafts are disappearing because of many problems. Firstly, crafts depend on the authenticity and naturalness of craftwork and the society fails to preserve them. Secondly, motifs, shapes, styles and aesthetic preferences needed for craftwork are badly affected by mechanical production.
(h) Art and craftwork are different forms. Craftwork is the practical form of art, while art is the application of imagination to express ideas or feelings in painting and drawing.
(i) Market plays a vital role in promoting crafts both at home and abroad. Craftwork can be branded and marketed throughout the country in order to draw the attention of the consumers. Providing easy loans, grants and other assistance are required to marketise craftwork.
(j) Yes, I do support it. Mechanically produced craftwork is a big challenge to the handmade craftwork. Because, machine production is cheaper and easily available compared to handmade craftwork. Moreover, craftwork made by machine faces a lot of difficulties.
বাংলা অনুবাদঃ
একটি শিল্পকর্ম এভাবেই একটি প্রাণবন্ত কর্ম যা সর্বদা বিকাশমান এবং পরিবর্তিত স্বাদ ও রুচির সাথে সদা তাল মিলিয়ে চলে। এটি একটি জীবন পদ্ধতি ও সাংস্কৃতিক বিশেষ গুণেরও প্রতিনিধিত্ব করে। অতএব, শিল্পকর্ম ও এদের উৎপাদনের ওপর জীবনধারা ও বস্তুর অবস্থার পরিবর্তের প্রভাব রয়েছে বলে প্রত্যাশা করা হয়। কিন্তু সময়ের বিবর্তনে নির্দিষ্ট কিছু গঠন, আকৃতি, শৈলী ও নান্দনিক অভিরুচির সামান্য পরিবর্তন ঘটে যা নির্দেশ করে যে একটি শিল্পকর্ম সময়ের সাথে জনসাধারণের মূল্যবোধ ও আকাগুক্ষার একটি দৃঢ় নিদর্শন হিসেবে কাজ করতে পারে। যান্ত্রিক ও অধিক উৎপাদন যে নিশ্চয়তা ও স্থিতিশীলতা এবং অবিচ্ছিন্নতার অনুভূতিকে দূরে সরিয়ে নিয়ে গেছে হাতে তৈরি শিল্পকর্ম তা জাগিয়ে তোলে।
সম্পূর্ণরূপে হাতে তৈরি শিল্পকর্মের প্রত্যাশা এবং বাজার চাহিদা অনুযায়ী যান্ত্রিকভাবে উৎপাদিত শিল্পকর্মের মধ্যে অমিল থাকায়, দুটি বিপরীত ধারণা আবির্ভূত হয়েছে: একদিকে, ঐতিহ্যবাদীরা মত দেন যে শিল্পকর্মের অকৃত্রিমতা ও স্বাভাবিকতা এবং পারিবারিক জীবন ও পরিবেশের সাথে তাদের সম্পৃক্ততা সংরক্ষণ করা সমাজের প্রয়োজন; আর অপরপক্ষে, যান্ত্রিক উৎপাদনের প্রবর্তকরা যুক্তি দেন যে শিল্পকর্মগুলোর উৎপাদন খরচ কম হওয়ার কারণে এগুলোর আকর্ষণ পুনঃস্থাপনে যন্ত্র সহায়তা করেছে।
আমাদের সময়ে শিল্পকর্ম যেসব সমস্যার সম্মুখীন তার সহজ কোনো সমাধান নেই। যে সকল শিল্পকর্ম হারিয়ে যাচ্ছে সেগুলোকে পুনরুজ্জীবিত করা যেতে পারে এবং তা করা উচিত, এমনকী সেখানেও যেখানে যন্ত্র এর সম্ভাবনাকে কঠিন করে তুলেছে। আর যে সকল শিল্পকর্ম এখনও চর্চা করা হয় সেগুলোকে রক্ষা করা যেতে পারে এবং এগুলোর অবস্থাকে আরও সুদৃঢ় করতে হবে। উৎপাদনকারীদেরকে প্রাপ্য অর্থ প্রদান, ঋণ সহায়তা ও অন্যান্য সহযোগিতা করে এবং তাদেরকে একটি স্বস্তিদায়ক বাজার খুঁজে পেতে সাহায্য করার মাধ্যমে তা করা যেতে পারে। কিন্তু অধিকতর গুরুত্বপূর্ণ হলো, শিল্পকর্মের প্রচার এবং সফলভাবে সারাদেশে বাজারজাত করা যেতে পারে আর এর কারণ সর্বদাই হাতে তৈরি পণ্যের ক্রেতা ও ব্যবহারকারী থাকে যারা সাংস্কৃতিক পণ্যের প্রতি ভীষণ আকর্ষণ অনুভব করে।
Comments