Panchlight (Essay Type Questions)

 

Essay Type Questions

 

Q. 1 What image of the rural society do we get from the story, 'Panchlight’?

Ans. In this story, the writer presents a realistic picture of a village of Bihar. We see here a society that is simple -hearted, poverty-stricken, superstitious, illiterate, narrow-minded but forgiving and God-fearing. The society in the village is sharply divided on the basis of caste. There are eight Panchayats, one for each of the eight castes, called the Toli. Every caste has its own congregation, sheets, carpets, rugs and a Petromax, which is called Panchlight by the villagers. With the caste is associated the question of honour. No one in the Mahto Toli knows how to light the panchlight. But they did not want to invite a member of some other Toli to light it. It was a matter of pride and honour. The members of the Rajput Toli were already taunting them for not being able to light the Panchlight. For the sake the bigger honour, the Panchayat members were ready to forget the smaller honour. They had banished Godhan from their Toli for singing lewd songs. But when they came to knew that he knows how to light the Panchlight, the immediately forgave him and took him back into their Toli. Thus, the writer has presented a true picture of a rural society in India.

Q. 2  Justify the title of the story, 'Panchlight'.

Ans. Panchlight is not just a petromax lamp, it is the central character in the story. The whole story revolves around the Panchlight. It is through the Panchlight that the theme of the story is developed.

The story begins with the Mahto Toli of the village buying a petromax while all other Tolis have already their own petromaxes. It is an occasion of celebration for the Mahto Toli, as other Tolis are feeling jealous. They try to make a mockery of them. The Mahto Toli makes all arrangements are to light the Panchlight in the evening and offer puja before the lamp is lit. Three bottles of kerosene are fetched from the village shop, but no one from the Toli knows how to light the Panchlight. The only one from the toli who knows how to light the Panchlight is Godhan but he is ostracised from the society. He often looked at a girl named Munri and sang songs from the movies. The girl's mother complained to the panchayat and Godhan was ostracised. Thus, a very embarrassing situation arises for the Toli. Calling someone from a rival toli to light the Panchlight will be humiliating. After much deliberation, it is decided that Godhan should be called to light the Panchlight. At first, Godhan refuses but agrees when Munri's mother herself goes to call him.

 The Panchlight is lighted and its bright flare shines on the smiling faces gathered all around. Godhan becomes the star of every eye and Munri’s mother Gulri kaki also invited him to eat dinner at her house at night. Thus, all problems are solved with the lighting of the Panchlight, and we can conclude that no other title could be more suitable.

 

Q.3   Reproduce briefly and in your own words the story of 'Panchlight'.

Ans. The elders of the Mahto Toli in the village buy a Panchlight for their community at Ramnavami fair. Other Tolis of the village already have their own separate Panchlights. While there is a mood of celebration in Mahto Toli, those from other tolis feel jealous and try to make fun of them. Everyone in the Mahto Toli prepares for the puja and the inaugural lighting of the lamp. Musicians are also ready with their drums, cymbals and bells for celebrations. But then suddenly it is discovered that there is no one in the Toli who knows how to light it. The only one who knows this is Godhan but he has been ostracised from the community on a complaint from Gulri Kaki. She had complained that Godhan would look at his daughter, Munri and sing songs from the movies. To teach Godhan a lesson, he was ostracised from the community. But now when the community's honour is at stake, Godhan's offence seems to be of no great seriousness. It will be a matter of great humiliation if someone from a rival toli is called to light the Panchlight. Therefore, all offences of Godhan are forgotten. Gulri Kaki herself goes and fetches Godhan to light the Panchlight. The lamp is lighted and there is joy on everyone's face. The singers sing in high and clear voices. Godhan becomes the apple of everyone’s eyes. Munri looks lovingly at him. Their eyes meet in a silent message and they forgive each other. The chief forgives all his wrongdoings and makes Godhan sit closely by his side and says for saving their community's honour. Even Gulri Kaki invites him to eat dinner at her house at night. Godhan looks at Munri once again and she coyly lowers her eyes.