Melodies of Diversity – Class 6 Arts Chapter 9 Notes & NCERT PDF

Class 6ArtsChapter 9NCERT book: Kriti - Arts Class 6

Notes and a simple summary of Chapter 9 of the NCERT Class 6 Arts book, with the official chapter PDF, flashcards, an MCQ quiz and an AI tutor for your doubts.

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Chapter 9: Melodies of Diversity (Music)

Introduction

The objective of this chapter is listening to and learning songs from various genres of Indian music. Like threads in a tapestry, songs from every region and tradition together make up India's musical heritage. Learning them is fun and also helps us understand the local culture and traditions of different states.

Key Ideas

Regional songs

*Manipur — Ha Urit Napangbi:* the red bird Urit did not hear its mother's or father's call; children clap their hands to call the bird.

*Kerala — Kuttanadan Punjayile:* a vanchipattu (boat song) sung during the famous snake boat races in Kerala's backwaters. It describes the beauty of the Kuttanad region.

*Assam — Ei Maatire:* the singer expresses love for the earth, finding joy on it rather than in the colours of the sky or the pearls of the ocean.

*Gujarat — Potana J Dariya Ma:* life is described as a journey through the sea; the boatman gives direction and the pearls are precious moments gained.

*Gujarat — Garba Taari Baanki Re:* garba is a folk music and dance form performed during Navaratri, with dhol, tabla, dholak, harmonium and flute, plus clapping, stomping and dandiya sticks. The dancer sings of her love for Lord Krishna (Kanuda).

*Tamil Nadu — Athinthom:* a rhythmic song about the joy of singing.

*Karnataka — Cheluvayya:* a joyful folk song celebrating Karnataka's beauty, including the Chitradurga fort.

*Punjab — O Jind Mahi:* expresses love and yearning for the return of loved ones.

*Maharashtra — Kshatriya Kulavatansa:* pays homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, praising his valour and leadership.

Devotional path to the divine

Bhakti (devotion) stands out as the primary motif in Indian musical expression.

Kirtan — an abhang by Saint Tukaram, sung by Bharat Ratna Bhimsen Joshi (Marathi). Its message: a true human being feels and empathises with the pain of others, and God lives in such compassionate hearts.

Shabad — Nanak Chinta Mat Karo, sung in gurudwaras. Guru Nanak advises not to worry excessively; the Almighty provides for all creatures, even those in water.

Hymn — Give me oil in my lamp, a Christian hymn asking to keep one's faith; it praises Jesus Christ as the King of kings.

Sufi song — 'The Faithful are One Soul', a Persian poem from the Masnavi by Jalal ud-Din Muhammad Balkhi (Rumi). It says the same soul lives within all of us.

Kirtan, shabad, hymns and qawwali all show the devotional side of Indian music.

Activities

Learn at least five songs from different regions (the book suggests teachers pick from the list and add local songs).

Use a map of India to locate each song's state.

Pick songs from different genres — classical, regional, devotional — and present them in class, assembly or at home.

Key Terms

Genre — type or style of music (शैली)

Folk song — traditional song of a region (लोकगीत)

Vanchipattu — Kerala boat song (नाव-गीत)

Garba — Gujarati folk music and dance (गरबा)

Dandiya — sticks used in garba dance (डांडिया)

Bhakti — devotion (भक्ति)

Kirtan — devotional group singing (कीर्तन)

Abhang — devotional poem of Maharashtra saints (अभंग)

Shabad — devotional song sung in gurudwaras (शबद)

Hymn — religious song in churches (भजन / स्तुति-गीत)

Sufi — mystical devotional tradition (सूफ़ी)

Tapestry — rich woven mix (बुनावट)

Artists & Traditions Mentioned

Bhupen Hazarika — born in Sadiya, Assam, in 1926; singer, lyricist, poet, filmmaker and educationist known as Sudha Kontho. He used music as an "instrument of social change" and received the Bharat Ratna, Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Sangeet Natak Akademi award.

Bhimsen Joshi, Saint Tukaram, Guru Nanak, Rumi.

Connect to Your Life

Which songs are sung at festivals in your family or region? Teach one to your class.

Common Mistakes

Thinking Indian music means only classical music — it includes folk, devotional, patriotic, semi-classical and film music.

Mixing up the regions of songs; always link a song to its language and state.

Let's Reflect

Why is the chapter called 'Melodies of Diversity'?

What common message do the devotional songs share?

💡 Key Learning Points

✓India has songs in many languages and genres, each reflecting its region's culture
✓Vanchipattu boat songs accompany Kerala's snake boat races; garba is performed during Navaratri
✓Bhakti (devotion) is a primary motif in Indian music, seen in kirtan, shabad, hymns and qawwali
✓Devotional songs carry messages of compassion, faith and unity
✓Bhupen Hazarika used music as an instrument of social change

👨‍🏫 Teaching Tips

→Pin the songs' states on a map of India as each song is learned
→Teach at least five songs from the list and add local songs students know
→Discuss the meaning of each song before singing it
→Let groups present one regional song with simple percussion
→Compare the devotional songs and find the shared message of compassion and faith
→Hold a 'musical tapestry' assembly where each class presents a song from a different region

📋 Assessment Questions

Can the student match songs to their languages and regions?
Can the student explain what vanchipattu and garba are?
Can the student explain the message of the kirtan, shabad or Sufi song?
Can the student name one achievement of Bhupen Hazarika?
Can the student sing at least one regional song with correct rhythm?

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