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Arts of the People, With the People, For the People – Class 8 Arts Chapter 18 Notes & NCERT PDF

Class 8ArtsChapter 18NCERT book: Kriti - Arts Class 8

Notes and a simple summary of Chapter 18 of the NCERT Class 8 Arts book, with the official chapter PDF, flashcards, an MCQ quiz and an AI tutor for your doubts.

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Chapter 18: Arts of the People, With the People, For the People (Visual Arts)

Introduction

Art has been part of human life since prehistoric times. Every artefact carries the voice and touch of other humans, connecting us across time. New materials, tools and technology change art processes; changing social values and ideas change creative expression.

"Art is a part of our everyday life. From the clothes we wear to the plate we eat from, all is a piece of art."

This chapter introduces art practices that use everyday materials — thread, paper and cloth — and helps you appreciate the hard work, patience and dedication of the many artists who keep these traditions alive.

Key Ideas

Activity 18.1: Tie and Link — Nature's Networks

  • Roots sustain life even when unseen; the banyan has roots growing from its branches.
  • In Meghalaya, the Indian rubber tree has strong secondary roots above ground. People have trained these living roots into Living Root Bridges across streams and rivers. The roots are gently twisted and tied for support, and the bridges grow stronger over time.
  • Twisting, knotting, crocheting, knitting and weaving are techniques used by artists across India to make baskets, handloom fabric, fans and even charpoy — everyday objects made by the people, for the people.
  • Jute baskets are one example of such craft.
  • Task: find ropes of cotton, jute or other natural fibre available in your region and make a small artwork.

    • Learn the Art of Knotting (in groups)

  • Steps 1 to 6: make a friendship band, wrist band or rakhi — you can add beads or make it in tricolour — and send it to our soldiers to show appreciation.
  • Continue to Step 11 in groups for larger pieces like wall hangings and torans.

    • Activity 18.2: Patch and Match — Patchwork

  • Fabrics have a long life. Patchwork joins small pieces of fabric into a large piece, made into blankets, cradles, bags, cushion covers, table mats and dhurries.
  • In many parts of India, women bring fragments of old fabric and quilt them together — patchwork quilts become symbols of shared memories.
  • Imagine society as a patchwork quilt: each individual plays an equally important role, and what one person does can change the whole picture.

    • Learn to Sew Patches

  • Collect unused old fabric from home and school.
  • Find a base piece at least 30 cm × 30 cm.
  • Cut other pieces into squares or rectangles of about 5–6 cm.
  • Spread the base and arrange small pieces in an interesting pattern.
  • Join the pieces along their edges on the reverse side so stitches are hidden.
  • Place the patchwork on the base and sew many lines of running stitches over it (coloured threads can make patterns).
  • Finish the edges with another cloth strip or by folding and stitching.
    • Safety: take care with scissors and needles; store needles in a sponge or thick cloth so they don't get lost and hurt others.
    Did you know? Some quilting artists create elaborate pictures and visual stories using patchwork.

    Activity 18.3: Pulp and Paint — Papier-mâché

  • Soft paper (newspaper, tissue) mixed with water and glue becomes very strong.
  • Papier-mâché moulds this mixture into a three-dimensional form, inspired by the artist's environment and culture and painted with local pigments.
  • Example: a Kashmiri papier-mâché box with the Chinar tree motif. Motifs and patterns vary from region to region even though the base is the same.

    • Learn to Make Papier-mâché

  • Cut newspapers into small pieces or strips; soak in water for a few days.
  • Squeeze out excess water.
  • Crush, mash or grind into pulp (a mortar and pestle works).
  • Add a little glue and mix well.
  • Coat the outside of a small bowl (the mould) with a greasy substance like petroleum jelly or thick oil.
  • Turn the bowl upside down, cover it with overlapping damp newspaper strips, then apply the pulp thickly and evenly. Let it dry for a few days.
  • When dry, turn it over and gently release the mould.
  • Smooth with fine sandpaper, then colour and decorate.

    • Key Terms

  • Artefact — object made by humans (कलाकृति)
  • Knotting — tying cords into patterns (गाँठ बाँधना)
  • Crocheting — looping thread with a hook (क्रोशिया)
  • Weaving — interlacing threads (बुनाई)
  • Charpoy — woven bed (चारपाई)
  • Toran — decorative door hanging (तोरण)
  • Patchwork — joining fabric pieces (पैबंदकारी)
  • Quilt — layered stitched fabric (रज़ाई/गुदड़ी)
  • Running stitch — simple in-and-out stitch (कच्चा टाँका)
  • Papier-mâché — moulded paper pulp craft (कागज़ की लुगदी कला)
  • Pulp — mashed wet paper (लुगदी)
  • Mould — shape used to form an object (साँचा)
  • Motif — repeated design element (अभिप्राय/बूटा)

    • Artists & Traditions Mentioned

    Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya; jute baskets; handloom, charpoy and fan weaving; patchwork quilts made by women from old fabric; Kashmiri papier-mâché with Chinar motifs.

    Connect to Your Life

    Look at the dhurrie, basket or quilt at home — who made it and how? Reusing old clothes and newspapers in these crafts makes sustainable choices part of everyday art.

    Common Mistakes

  • Stitching patches on the front side so the stitches show.
  • Forgetting to grease the mould, so the papier-mâché sticks.
  • Removing the mould before the pulp is completely dry.
  • Leaving needles lying around instead of storing them safely.

    • Let's Reflect

  • What does the patchwork quilt teach about society?
  • How do you think papier-mâché practices travelled from one region to another?
  • Which natural fibre is easily available in your region?

    • 💡 Key Learning Points

    • ✓Recognise art in everyday objects made from thread, cloth and paper.
    • ✓Understand the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya and techniques like knotting, weaving and crocheting.
    • ✓Follow the steps to make a knotted band, a patchwork quilt and a papier-mâché bowl.
    • ✓Appreciate collective art-making and the patchwork quilt as a symbol of shared memories and society.
    • ✓Connect regional crafts like Kashmiri papier-mâché with sustainable reuse of materials.

    👨‍🏫 Teaching Tips

    • →Bring real objects — a jute basket, a patchwork cushion, a papier-mâché box — for students to handle.
    • →Show images or video of Meghalaya's Living Root Bridges to connect art with nature.
    • →Run the knotting activity in groups so stronger students help others, as the book suggests.
    • →Link the papier-mâché process with science: discuss how water and glue change the paper's properties.
    • →Start soaking newspaper a few days ahead so pulp is ready for class.
    • →Teach safe needle storage (sponge or thick cloth) before the patchwork activity.
    • →Discuss the 'society as a patchwork quilt' idea to build values of cooperation.

    📋 Assessment Questions

    1. Did the student contribute to a group artwork and value collective making?
    2. Can the student describe how Living Root Bridges are formed?
    3. Can the student list the steps for patchwork or papier-mâché in the correct order?
    4. Can the student name everyday materials and regional art practices from the chapter?
    5. Does the student follow safety rules when using scissors and needles?

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    Keep learning

    All chapters in Kriti - Arts Class 8

    1. 1. Bringing Words Alive — Play Reading
    2. 2. One Stage, Many Scripts
    3. 3. From Page to Stage
    4. 4. Applause and Advice
    5. 5. Discovering the Elements of Music
    6. 6. Musical Instruments
    7. 7. Indian Classical Music
    8. 8. Inspiration and Imagination
    9. 9. My World of Music
    10. 10. Inner Dynamics of Dance
    11. 11. Pan Indian Dance Forms
    12. 12. Dance for Well-being
    13. 13. Innovation, Inclusivity and Inspiring Change
    14. 14. A Presentation of Dance and Choreography
    15. 15. Elements and Principles of Visual Art and Design
    16. 16. Still Life in Colour
    17. 17. People in Places
    18. 18. Arts of the People, With the People, For the People
    19. 19. Campaign for Art Awareness