The busy district of Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh is popular for its rich tradition of glassware. Ravi was a skilled glass artisan who lived in this town. Firozabad is famous for its beautiful glass bangles, and Ravi’s family had been crafting these beautiful bangles for a very long time. Each bangle was a piece of art, showing both the culture of the town and the wonderful craftsmanship of the artisans.
Ravi’s workshop was a centre of activity. The air was filled with the clinking of glass and the gentle hum of conversation as artisans shaped beautiful bangles. The process of making glass bangles was difficult and needed great skill. First, Ravi and his team would heat glass in a furnace. They would then carefully shape the glass into bangles, adding beautiful colours and designs before cooling them to perfection.
Ravi enjoyed his work. He crafted each bangle with full attention, making sure that it was not only beautiful but also long-lasting. The bangles came in a variety of colours, from deep reds and blues to soft pastels, and were often decorated with patterns showing traditional Indian design.
During the festival of Diwali, the demand for glass bangles increased. Diwali is the festival of lights, a time of celebration and joy, and glass bangles were popular among women at this time. Ravi’s workshop was busier than ever, with artisans working around the clock to meet the demand.
Ravi’s daughter, Ananya, had completed her schooling.
She was eager to help her father in his work. She had an eye for design and wanted to put modern elements into the traditional bangle designs. Ravi was supportive but concerned about maintaining the truthfulness of their traditional craft.
One day, as Ananya worked on the bangles, she tried to combine traditional with modern designs. She introduced delicate floral patterns and geometric shapes, combining the old with the new designs. Ravi was initially hesitant but soon saw the beauty in his daughter’s designs. They decided to create a special collection for Diwali that would showcase both traditional and modern elements.
The new collection was a big success. The bangles, with their new designs and exciting colours, were loved by the customers.
On Diwali night, as the streets of Firozabad glittered with lamps and lights, Ravi and Ananya watched with pride as women and girls walked past their shop, proudly wearing the bangles from their new collection. The vibrant colours sparkled under the festival lights.
The success of the new collection was not just a personal achievement for Ravi and Ananya; it also had a positive impact on the entire community. The increased demand for bangles led to more work for local artisans. Not only those, more jobs were generated in packing and transportation.
As the festival came to an end. Ravi and Ananya recalled their journey of making bangles. Ravi’s workshop continued to prosper, and Ananya’s innovative designs made their bangle collection quite popular.
Also read this: Vocation : Lesson -9
New Words
Clinking – बजनेवाला
Floral patterns – पुष्प पैटर्न
Artisans – कारीगरों
Elements – तत्वों
Furnace – भट्ठी
Let us Think
A. Answer the following questions.
1. How were glass bangles made in Ravi’s small workshop?
Ans. In Ravi’s workshop, glass was first heated in a furnace until it became soft. Then the artisans carefully shaped the hot glass into bangles. Colours and designs were added, and finally the bangles were cooled to make them strong and beautiful.
2. Who was Ananya? How did she help Ravi?
Ans. Ananya was Ravi’s daughter. After completing her schooling, she helped her father by adding modern designs to the traditional glass bangles. She introduced floral and geometric patterns, which made the bangles more attractive.
3. How did the success of the new bangles help the community?
Ans. The success of the new bangles increased their demand. This created more work for local artisans and also generated jobs in packing and transportation, which helped the entire community.
B. Think and discuss
1. If you were in Ananya’s place what other modern designs or colours would you add to make the bangles more attractive?
Ans. If I were in Ananya’s place, I would add pastel shades, glitter effects, metallic colours, and minimal abstract designs to make the bangles more attractive.
2. Ravi and Ananya felt proud seeing people wearing their bangles on Diwali night. Have you ever created something (drawing, writing, or a project) that made you happy? Share your experience with the class.
Ans. Yes, I once made a drawing for a school competition. When my teacher and classmates appreciated it, I felt very happy and proud of my work.
3. Make a list of things that you buy from local markets during festivals.
Ans.
- Diyas and candles
- Sweets
- Clothes
- Bangles
- Decorative lights
- Flowers
- Rangoli colours
