🌦️ Unit 2, Lesson 4: Craft
Craft
A. Now, read the text below and answer the questions that follow.
While art is considered intuitive and visionary, craft is seen to be a practical application of certain skills for producing objects of everyday use that are often beautiful to look at, such as pottery, metal and wood work, cane and bamboo items, jewelry, musical instruments like ektara, dhol or flute and textile items. People who practice a craft are called crafts persons or artisans who pick up their skills under the guidance of older and more experienced artisans. The training they receive is thus on-the-job, and artisans often come from the same family.
Bangladesh has a rich tradition of craft as the country has been, until very recently, dependent on agriculture, and most people lived in villages. Rural communities relied on artisans to supply them with necessary household items. But communities also needed objects to help them with social occasions such as weddings, religious rituals, festivals and personal use. They also needed items for use in trade and commerce. Craftworks thus range from winnowing baskets to clay oil lamps, from hand held fans to metal coins. As artisans worked with their hands to produce domestic and decorative objects, these came to be known as handicrafts.
An artwork bears the signature of its creator, and the value of a painting, graphic art or sculpture depends on the stature of the artist. No such thing happens in case of craftwork. The maker of a terracotta doll or a shatranji (cotton floor mat) remains anonymous but the work 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 talent of its maker. 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 maker's skill. Indeed, the intimate nature of the kantha and the tactile feeling it generates animate the work and make it very inviting.
A craftwork is a dynamic object—always evolving and always abreast of changing tastes and needs. Changes in lifestyle and material conditions have an impact on craftworks and their production. But certain forms, motifs, styles and aesthetic preferences change little over time; suggesting that a craftwork can function as a stable signifier of community values and preferences over time.
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Sonargaon and Panam Nagar Text
B. Read the text below and do the activities that follow.
Sonargaon
Some of you who live outside Sonargaon, an Upazila in the district of Narayanganj, may have visited the ancient township with its Folk Arts and Crafts Museum, set up by the famous artist Zainul Abedin in 1970, and a number of old buildings which speak of a glorious past. But those who haven't had a chance to go there may still read about it and see images of its historical and cultural landmarks on the Internet.
Sonargaon lies about 24 kilometers away from Dhaka and can be reached by bus or taxi and other forms of private transport. It attracts hundreds of visitors every day because of its antiquity and historical importance. Sonargaon was once the capital of the independent Sultanate of Bengal in the early 14th century. Even before that, it was the capital of Vanga under Raja Danauja Rai. Greek and Roman writers and travelers from abroad mentioned Sonargaon which was a prosperous trading post with a splendid river port. Ibn Battuta visited it in 1346 and was amazed by its splendor.
C. Read the text below and do the activities that follow.
One of the historical landmarks of Sonargaon is the ancient city of Panam (also known as Painam) or Panam Nagar, which was developed to the south of the old city to provide residential quarters to the governors after the Moghuls conquered Sonargaon in 1611. But some historians believe the city’s history is much older and that the Moghuls developed Panam Nagar and built highways and bridges to connect it with Sonargaon. Three such bridges still exist. There are also three artificial canals that were dug up for easy communication and protection of the city. Panam Nagar became a prosperous trading post under the British rule. The East India Company made it a centre of muslin trade. At the peak of the trade about 1400 families of weavers lived in and around the city.
If you visit Panam Nagar today, you will see old buildings lining both sides of a 600 meter road, ending at Panam Bazar. The brick buildings were built by Hindu traders in the early 19th to early 20th century. No one lives in these buildings now as the place is considered a heritage site.
Necessary Words and Phrases
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| intuitive (Adjective) | IPA: /ɪnˈtjuː.ɪ.tɪv/ Bengali: স্বতঃস্ফূর্ত; অন্তর্জ্ঞাত Meaning: based on natural feeling or instinct rather than reasoning Synonyms: instinctive, innate, natural |
Her design choices are highly intuitive and creative. |
| visionary (Adjective) | IPA: /ˈvɪʒ.ən.ər.i/ Bengali: দূরদর্শী; কল্পনাপ্রবণ Meaning: having or showing clear ideas about the future; imaginative Synonyms: imaginative, farsighted, innovative |
The visionary artist introduced a completely new style. |
| craft (Noun) | IPA: /krɑːft/ Bengali: কারুশিল্প; হস্তশিল্প Meaning: skill in making objects by hand Synonyms: handiwork, artisan skill, craftsmanship |
Pottery is a traditional craft in rural Bangladesh. |
| pottery (Noun) | IPA: /ˈpɒt.ər.i/ Bengali: মৃৎশিল্প; মাটির পাত্র Meaning: objects made from clay and hardened by heat Synonyms: ceramics, earthenware |
She bought handmade pottery from the village market. |
| cane (Noun) | IPA: /keɪn/ Bengali: বেত; বাঁশজাতীয় উপাদান Meaning: a tall plant used for making furniture or baskets Synonyms: rattan, bamboo material |
The craftsman made a chair out of cane. |
| textile items (Noun) | IPA: /ˈtek.staɪl ˈaɪ.təmz/ Bengali: বস্ত্রজাত সামগ্রী Meaning: products made from woven or knitted fabrics Synonyms: fabrics, cloth products |
Textile items from Bangladesh are famous worldwide. |
| pick up (Phrasal Verb) | IPA: /pɪk ʌp/ Bengali: শিখে নেওয়া; অর্জন করা Meaning: to learn something gradually through practice Synonyms: acquire, learn, grasp |
He picked up the craft by watching his father work. |
| winnowing baskets (Noun) | IPA: /ˈwɪn.əʊ.ɪŋ ˈbæs.kɪts/ Bengali: চাল-ডাল ঝাড়ার ঝুড়ি Meaning: baskets used for separating grain from chaff Synonyms: grain baskets, threshing baskets |
Farmers used winnowing baskets to clean rice. |
| stature (Noun) | IPA: /ˈstætʃ.ər/ Bengali: মর্যাদা; খ্যাতি Meaning: importance or reputation gained by ability or achievement Synonyms: reputation, standing, prestige |
Her artistic stature grew after the exhibition. |
| terracotta doll (Noun) | IPA: /ˌter.əˈkɒt.ə dɒl/ Bengali: টেরাকোটা পুতুল; পোড়ামাটির পুতুল Meaning: a doll made from baked clay Synonyms: clay doll, earthen doll |
The museum displayed ancient terracotta dolls. |
| anonymous (Adjective) | IPA: /əˈnɒn.ɪ.məs/ Bengali: নামহীন; অজ্ঞাতপরিচয় Meaning: not identified by name Synonyms: unknown, unnamed, unidentified |
The craftsman remained anonymous despite his beautiful work. |
| tactile feeling (Noun) | IPA: /ˈtæk.taɪl ˈfiː.lɪŋ/ Bengali: স্পর্শজনিত অনুভূতি Meaning: sense of touch experienced through texture Synonyms: touch sensation, physical feel |
The soft texture of the kantha gives a warm tactile feeling. |
| abreast (Adjective/Adverb) | IPA: /əˈbrest/ Bengali: সমসাময়িক; সমানতালে Meaning: keeping up with; aware of the latest trends or changes Synonyms: updated, informed, current |
Artisans stay abreast of new trends in design. |
| signifier (Noun) | IPA: /ˈsɪɡ.nɪ.faɪ.ər/ Bengali: সংকেতদাতা; প্রতীক Meaning: something that represents or indicates meaning or identity Synonyms: symbol, indicator, representation |
The craftwork is a signifier of cultural tradition. |
| antiquity (Noun) | IPA: /ˌæn.tɪˈkwɪ.ti/ Bengali: প্রাচীনতা; প্রাচীন যুগের ঐতিহ্য Synonyms: ancientness, oldness, age |
Sonargaon attracts visitors because of its antiquity and historical importance. |
| splendid (Adjective) | IPA: /ˈsplen.dɪd/ Bengali: চমৎকার; দুর্দান্ত Synonyms: magnificent, glorious, superb |
Sonargaon was a prosperous trading post with a splendid river port. |
| river port (Noun) | IPA: /ˈrɪv.ər pɔːrt/ Bengali: নদী বন্দর Synonyms: dock, harbor, quay |
Merchants used the river port to transport goods to distant markets. |
| amazed (Adjective) | IPA: /əˈmeɪzd/ Bengali: বিস্মিত; চমকে উঠা Synonyms: astonished, surprised, stunned |
Ibn Battuta was amazed by the splendor of Sonargaon. |
| landmarks (Noun) | IPA: /ˈlænd.mɑːrk/ Bengali: ঐতিহাসিক বা পরিচিত স্থান Synonyms: notable place, monument, historic site |
One of the historical landmarks of Sonargaon is the ancient city of Panam Nagar. |
| prosperous (Adjective) | IPA: /ˈprɒs.pər.əs/ Bengali: সমৃদ্ধ; সমৃদ্ধশালী Synonyms: wealthy, thriving, flourishing |
Panam Nagar became a prosperous trading post under British rule. |
| peak (Noun) | IPA: /piːk/ Bengali: শীর্ষ; সর্বোচ্চ পর্যায় Synonyms: height, pinnacle, summit |
At the peak of the trade, about 1400 families of weavers lived in and around the city. |
| weavers (Noun) | IPA: /ˈwiː.vərz/ Bengali: তাঁতবয়ক; তাঁত কারিগর Synonyms: textile workers, artisans, craftsmen |
About 1400 families of weavers lived and worked in Panam Nagar during the muslin trade peak. |
1. Multiple Choice Questions
- According to the passage, how is craft mainly defined?
- As a form of imaginative artistic expression.
- As the practical application of skills to make useful objects.
- As a method of teaching religious values.
- As an activity performed only for entertainment.
- Who are the individuals that usually pick up craft skills?
- Trained university graduates.
- Travelers who learn from foreign cultures.
- Younger artisans guided by older and experienced ones.
- People who study engineering.
- Why did rural communities in Bangladesh rely on artisans?
- To obtain necessary household and ceremonial items.
- To document historical events.
- To operate large machines for agriculture.
- To conduct local court functions.
- What does the passage suggest about the makers of craftworks?
- Their fame determines the value of the craft.
- They sign every piece they create.
- Their names are always known through records.
- They often remain anonymous despite their skill.
- What feeling does a nakshikantha evoke according to the passage?
- A sense of fear and mystery.
- A sense of formality and distance.
- A warm, intimate, and tactile feeling.
- A strong political message.
- Which factor influences the changing nature of craftwork?
- The abolition of traditional festivals.
- The disappearance of rural farms.
- An increasing decline in artistic talent.
- Changes in lifestyle and material conditions.
- What does the passage imply about certain motifs and styles in craft?
- They remain stable and act as cultural signifiers.
- They constantly change every year.
- They lose cultural meaning over time.
- They are created only for foreign buyers.
- Why is Sonargaon considered historically important?
- It was a modern industrial city in the 19th century.
- It was once the capital of the independent Sultanate of Bengal and a prosperous trading post.
- It was a site for the British East India Company headquarters only.
- It is located in the northernmost part of Bangladesh.
- What was the primary purpose of Panam Nagar after the Moghuls conquered Sonargaon in 1611?
- To serve as a religious pilgrimage center.
- To host British administrative offices exclusively.
- To provide residential quarters to the governors and facilitate trade.
- To act as a military fortress only.
- Who set up the Folk Arts and Crafts Museum in Sonargaon, and when?
- Raja Danauja Rai in the 14th century
- Zainul Abedin in 1970
- The British East India Company in the 19th century
- Ibn Battuta during his visit in 1346
- What is a notable feature of Panam Nagar’s infrastructure built by the Moghuls?
- It had an extensive railway network.
- It included highways, bridges, and three artificial canals.
- It was entirely made of wooden buildings.
- It had modern skyscrapers for trade.