An Astrologer’s Day

An Astrologer’s Day : R K Narayan

The title of the text: An Astrologer’s Day

1) ‘An astrologer’s Day’ arouses curiosity as something might have taken place on a particular day. It attracts the readers to go through the text.

2) ‘An astrologer’s Day’ – Here ‘a day’ is a specific day in life that can be a turning point of somebody’s life. The title is very interesting and creates curiosity in the mind of the readers. The writer extended the word with a particular purpose as it was used by Churchill… ‘Everyone has his day’.

3)  The title creates curiosity in the mind of the reader about astrology and astrologer’s life. It also creates interest in reading to find out what is that particular day of the astrologer in the story.

Ice Breakers:

1) Complete the activity.  

What are your strengths?

2) The scene in a local market of a village/town/city is very attractive. People with different occupations sell their wares. Give the variety of activities at the local market.

Answer-

1. selling flowers, selling grocery.      
2. selling sweets, namkeens, bangles, artificial jewelries, homemade medicines, fruits, vegetables, home utensils, beauty products, clothes etc.
3. bantering, bargaining, discussing, joking, shouting  etc.  
4. transport of goods and other products.
5. movement of persons and hand carts,
6. use of different dialects or languages. 

3) In a village /town /city it is quite a common sight to see an astrologer sitting by the roadside with his professional equipment.

Give a list the requirements for his trade.

Answer-
1) parrot, cards etc.
2) cowrie shell, obscure things, clothes ,mala, beads, flowers etc
3) lemon, green chillies, sindoor, books, photos of deity, wand, etc.
4) Panchang, mystic charts, palmyra writing,  stick, mat, etc.         

4) There are certain unreasonable beliefs among people living in our society. Certain common events are linked with superstitions.

List such events, discuss the superstitions linked with them and the means of their eradication.

Answer-
1) A cat crossing your path
2) To cut the nails at night.
3) To see the women carrying empty pitchers.
4) To scratch the left hand.
5) To kill the cat.
6) To take salt on the palm.
7) To sit on the threshold.
8) To blow the burning diya.(oil lamp)
9) To touch the trees at night.
10) To remove the foot wears in front of the door.
11) To hear the caws of crow.
12) To blink the left eye.
13) Howling of dog.
14) Boiled milk overflowing from vessel.
15) Belief in supernatural powers.
16) Sacrifice of animals toward of evil.
17) Marriage of animals to ward off drought and bring rain.
18) Hang lemon and chillies.
19) Hang black doll on the door.
20) Seeing owl on the way.
21) Donating amount in figure of 11, 21, 51 and so on.
22) Breaking of mirror brings bad luck.
23) Sweeping of home at night.
24) Painting black spot to the infant.

Means to eradicate the superstitions:
1. By keeping scientific attitude.
2. Finding rationale behind them.
3. By exposing their falsehood.
4. By creating social awareness drive.
5. Through literacy campaigns
6. Through stage shows, films, songs, plays and TV programmes.
7. Taking help of local NGOs.
8. Organising Workshops, seminars and scientific forums at school and colleges.
9. By Scientific thinking
10. By doing practical analysis
11. By doing tie up with organisation that exposes the truth through analytical thinking. 

Brainstorming activities:
(A1)

(i) Given below are some descriptions. Discuss them with your partner and find out one word for each of them.

(a) The scientific study of the universe and the objects in it, including stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies-

Answer- Astronomy

(b) The study of the movements of the planets, Sun, Moon, and Stars in the belief that these movements can have an influence on people’s lives-

Answer- Astrology or (Cosmology or Astrophysics)

(c) A prediction of what will happen in the future.-

Answer- Prophecy

(d) Scientific discipline that studies mental states and processes and behaviour in humans and other animals.-

Answer- Psychology

(ii) In the story we are told that the Town Hall Park was a remarkable place in many ways for an astrologer to build his business. List the exceptional qualities of the place.

Answer-

a) A surging crowd     
b) A variety of trades and occupations.
c) An auctioneer of cheap cloth creating enough din to attract the whole town.
d) Shouting vendor of fried groundnut.
e) Shops did not have the benefit of municipal lighting.
f) The place was lit up by shop lights.
g) Bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows.

(iii) The astrologer never opened his mouth till the other had spoken for at least ten minutes. Discuss the reasons behind his act.
Answer-

a) He is good at reading the people.

b) The information given by people provided him enough stuff for a dozen answers and advices        

c) He got a chance to analyze the troubles of his customer.             

d) He worked on the policy those who hear a lot learn a lot.

e) He got a way to win the confidence of the customer.

f) He got enough time for searching answers and giving advice.

(A2)

(i) The tactics used by the astrologer to earn his wages are…

Answer-

a) Analysis of human troubles
b) A good presence of mind, experience and perception
c) Use of equipment and shrewdness. 
d) Comment on the customer’s nature, affairs, efforts and fate.
e) Creation of fear in the mind of the customer.
f) Use of general statements to endear the customers and win their hearts.

(ii) An astrologer’s appearance helps to create an impression on his clients. The things creating the good impression on clients are:
Answer-

(iii) Read the following sentences and choose the correct one.

(a) The astrologer says that if Nayak leaves his village again, he would –

(1) return the money

(2) face danger

(3) go back home and stop looking for the man who tried to kill him

(4) not find the killer.

Answer: face danger

(b) According to the narrator the astrologer’s success in his profession is primarily due to –

(1) luck

(2) the bargains he drives

(3) his appearance

(4) his understanding of people.

Answer: his understanding of people.

(c) The story suggests that the astrologer’s comments and observations please people by –

(1) promising them success and good fortune

(2) proving, as time passes, to have been true

(3) flattering them or supporting their own views

(4) helping them to learn to solve their own problems. 

  
Answer: flattering them or supporting their own views

(d) Guru Nayak consults the astrologer because he wants to –

(1) understand the past

(2) find out who the astrologer is

(3) make some money through a bet

(4) get the answer to a specific question

Answer: get the answer to a specific question

(e) Guru Nayak is looking for the man who tried to kill him –

(1) to take revenge

(2) to get an apology

(3) to demand an explanation

(4) to prove that the man was unsuccessful.

Answer: to take revenge

(f) The astrologer’s remark makes Guru Nayak feel all of the following except-

(1) relieved

(2) suspicious

(3) impressed

(4) disappointed.

Answer: suspicious

(g) Reactions of the astrologer’s wife to his news suggest that she –

(1) was unaware of his past

(2) has been worried about his safety

(3) has known him since he was young

(4) is concerned about her future with him.

Answer: was unaware of his past

(iv) In the story, many Indian words are used.

‘Cowrie shells’. This is an example of code-mixing.

Find out other such words from the story and write them down.

Answer-

Examples of code – mixing:-

Raja’s Delicacy,

Bombay ice cream,

Delhi Almond,

three pies,

eight annas,

half annas,

lit a cheeroot etc.

(iv) Read the following sentences and find out True and False sentences. Correct the False sentences.

(a) The astrologer gave a correct prediction to the client about his past that he was stabbed, thrown into a well and left for dead.- True

(b) When the astrologer came to know that the man whom he killed is alive he felt that he was relieved of his guilt. – True

(c) The astrologer tried to back out of the deal and talked about the client’s past. – False (The astrologer demanded more money to tell about the client’s past)

(d) The astrologer rescued himself from Guru Nayak’s revenge. – True

(e) The moral of the story is that we must be responsible about what we have done and should not run away from our mistakes. – True

(v) The astrologer has changed his appearance and his persona when he arrived in the city. Give specific reasons.
Answer:

When astrologer was a silly youngster, he quarreled with Guru Nayak and tried to kill him in wrath. He thought that he had murdered Guru Nayak. So he left the village and settled in the distant city where no one was familiar with him. He changed his attire and also changed the complete appearance and persona so that no one could recognise him and his offence of killing Guru Nayak would not be revealed.

(vi)’The darkness load that was inside the astrologer has disappeared’. Through this sentence, explain the significance of the title ‘An Astrologer’s Day’.
Answer:

An astrologer was living under the burden of thought that he had the blood of man on his hands all those days. But one day he saw a stranger before him. He identified Guru Nayak. When he saw Guru Nayak was alive, he became tension free. The day on which he was relieved from that load, was a special day for him. So that day is called An Astrologer’s Day.

(vii)   The astrologer feels relieved that Guru is not dead as it relieves a great burden from him. Critically justify the statement and explain it.
Answer:

An astrologer was living under the load of thought that he had murdered Guru Nayak. So he felt himself guilty. But one day when he saw Guru Nayak before him alive, he felt relieved from the burden of that thought means he was not dead.

(viii) The astrologer wins/gets the sympathy of criticism of the reader in the end. Express your opinion with the support of the main story.
Answer:

The Astrologer gets the sympathy of the readers because he was guilty of his deed and wanted to get away from it. His smartness and the tricks of his trade had saved him from his past crime. He had accepted his mistake and already started living a new life. Acceptance of mistake is a great quality which is difficult to find. His perception, presence of mind, self-confidence and shrewdness helped him to overcome the problem. He had learnt a lesson hence the astrologer got sympathy from the readers.

(ix) If we have to eradicate the superstitions and other ill practices from our society, what steps would you like to suggest?
Answer:

I would like to suggest the following steps for eradicating the superstitions and other ill practices from our society.

a) To make the people aware of the things which are good and which are bad for our development and also for the development of our society.

b)To tell them about the ill effects of superstitions on our health.

c)To try to develop the scientific views in the people.

d)To make aware them how common persons are deceived under the names of blind beliefs by some so called Sadhus.

e) To tell the people not to believe in unknown persons who come to your doorstep and ask you to make double the money or ornaments.

f)To take the help of the organizations who are working in the field of eradication of superstitions. These organizations will arrange programmes to show the ill impacts of superstitions.

g)To try develop scientific thinking within common people through practical experiences.etc.

(x) In the story, astrologer has a great listening power. Listening helps in developing good relations with people. Express your opinion.
Answer: 

Yes, listening helps in developing good relations with people. 

a) If we listen carefully what the person before us telling, he / she will respect us.

b) If we listen someone’s agony, we can console him / her. It helps us to build good relationship.

c) Listening also helps us to sort out the misunderstanding.

d) Listening is skill which helps one to communicate successfully.

e) If we don’t listen others and speak to the people all the time, they get bored and try to avoid us which affects the relations.

f) A good listener is always alert and can judge things in correct perspective. Such person takes proper steps to maintain the relationship.

A3)
(i) In the story, the following characters reveal their qualities through words and actions. Pick out the words that describe them and write before the characters.

Answer-

PDF created by Prof. Nitin Gunjal

Activity Sheet No.1 on 1.1 An Astrologer’s Day

Q. Read the extract and complete the activities given below.          (12)

An Astrologers Day Activity: Activity Sheet No.1

A1. List      (2)

Make a list of astrologer’s professional equipment mentioned in the extract.

उताऱ्यात नमूद केलेल्या ज्योतिषाच्या व्यावसायिक उपकरणांची यादी तयार करा.

Answer:

List of Astrologer’s Professional equipment:

1) Notebook

2) Cowrie shells

3) Square piece of cloth

4) Palmyra writing

5) Saffron-colored turban

6) Sacred ash

7) saffron-colored turban

8) dark whiskers

A2. Describe   (2)

Describe the market place given in the extract in 50 words.  

बाजाराचे 50 शब्दात वर्णन करा.

Answer:

The market place was a remarkable place where surging crowd was always moving up and down on narrow road morning to evening. A variety of trades and occupations were seen there. It included medicine-sellers, sellers of stolen hardware and junk, magicians, an auctioneer of cheap cloth and a vendor of fried groundnuts. It was a noisy market due to the shouting of the traders.

A3. Find  (2)

The prophet made special arrangements to attract people. Find its proof from the extract

ज्योतिषाने लोकांना आकर्षित करण्यासाठी केलेल्या उपाययोजनांचा पुरावा द्या.

Answer:

The prophet made special arrangements to attract people. He spread out his professional equipment in front of him. His forehead was shining with sacred ash. The painted forehead and the dark moustache which streamed down his cheeks enhanced the power of his eyes. He wound a saffron-colored turban around his head.

A4. Personal Response (2)

Write in 50 words about the career you like to choose in your life.

तुम्हाला आवडणाऱ्या करियर ची 50 शब्दात माहिती द्या.

Answer:

Though there are many options to choose the career, I would like to join the field of administration. For this I have to appear for the competitive exams. This job would give me a chance to serve my country wholeheartedly. I would try to stop corruption and solve the problems of common people. I would also try to provide government facilities and reforms to the poor and needy people.

A5. Language Study (Do as directed)   (2)

1) This color scheme never failed.

(Choose the correct alternative showing affirmative sentence having the same meaning given here)

i) This colour scheme always failed.                

ii) This colour scheme always successful.

iii) This colour scheme was always successful.       

iv) This colour scheme is always successful.

Answer:

iii) This colour scheme was always successful.

2) To crown the effect, he wound a saffron-colored turban around his head.

(Choose the correct alternative to rewrite the given sentence as a compound sentence)

i) He wound a saffron-colored turban around his head and crowned the effect.

ii) He wound a saffron-colored turban around his head to crown the effect.

iii) He wound a saffron-colored turban around his head which crowned the effect.

iv) He wound a saffron-colored turban around his head while crowning the effect.

Answer:

i) He wound a saffron-colored turban around his head and crowned the effect.

A6. Vocabulary  (2)

Match the words given in ‘A’ with their meanings given in ‘B’.

(जोड्या लावा)

Answer:

Click below –

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Activity Sheet No.2 on 1.1 An Astrologer’s Day

Q. Read the extract and complete the activities given below: (12)

A1. Rewrite the following sentences and state whether they are True or False: (2)

(a) The name of the astrologer was Guru Nayak.

(b) A passer-by had saved the other man.

(c) The astrologer took out a pinch of salt and held it to the other man.

(d) A knife had passed through the other man long ago.

Answer-

(a) The name of the astrologer was Guru Nayak.- False

(b) A passer-by had saved the other man.- True

(c) The astrologer took out a pinch of salt and held it to the other man.- True

(d) A knife had passed through the other man long ago.- True

A2. The other man looked gratified, because———-

(Choose Two correct alter-natives from the following): (2)

(a) His enemy was going to meet him in his own village.

(b) The astrologer told him that his enemy was crushed under a lorry.

(c) His enemy died as he deserved.

(d) His enemy was very happy and contented.

Answer-

(b) The astrologer told him that his enemy was crushed under a lorry.

(c) His enemy died as he deserved.

A3. The astrologer suggested the other man never to travel southward again:

Guess and write the purpose behind the astrologer’s suggestion.

Answer-

The astrologer suggested the other man not to travel southward again because he wanted to get rid of Guru Nayak once and for all. He never wanted to see him again. He was afraid of getting his true identity revealed, and possibility of Guru Nayak taking revenge if they ever met face to face again.

A4. Give/express your views on the effect of superstitions. (2)

Answer-

Superstitions have a negative impact on the persons in the society. Many persons become passive and stop their work fearing failure. The different types of superstitions have different bad effect on individuals’ risk-taking behaviour. They also decrease the confidence of the person. So in my opinion, superstitions are bad and we should avoid superstitions.

A5. Language study: (2)

(i) He shook his head regretfully.

(Choose the correct alternative to get the Present Perfect Tense form of the given sentence.)

(a) He shakes his head regretfully. shaken his head regretfully.

(b) He has shaken his head regretfully.

(c) He had shaken his head regretfully.

(d) He will shake his head regretfully.

Answer-

(b) He has shaken his head regretfully.

(ii) I will not open my mouth.

(Choose the correct alternative to get affirmative form without changing the meaning of the sentence.)

(a) I will not close my mouth.

(b) I will open my mouth.

(c) I will shut my mouth.

Answer-

(c) I will shut my mouth.

A6. Find and write the words which have similar meaning for the following from the extract:

(a) bargaining

(b) surrender under pressure

(c) made a low sound of distress

(d) to look cautiously

Answer-

(a) bargaining- haggling

(b) surrender under pressure- disgorge

(c) made a low sound of distress- groaned

(d) to look cautiously- peep

(ii) Match the suffixes with the words and make nouns. One is done for you.

Answer-

iii) Astrologer’s Day’ has ironic elements where the astrologer pretends to have ‘supernatural knowledge’ that coincidently turns out to be the truth.

Answer-

Irony means a situation or statement characterized by a significant difference between what is expected and what actually happens, or between what is understood and what is meant.

Find out the examples of irony from the story and write them down. One has been done for you.

a) He knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself the next minute.

b) He had a working analysis of mankind’s troubles.

c) Within five minutes he understood what was wrong.

d) Guru Nayak came to the astrologer for help in finding the man who nearly killed him–and the astrologer himself was the very man he was looking for but he couldn’t recognize him.

e) His forehead was resplendent with sacred ash and vermilion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam which was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but which his simple clients took to be a prophetic light and felt comforted.

f) Nayak learnt that his attacker was dead. The astrologer learnt that he did not commit murder.

g) T he very fact that such pious and sanctimoniously sacrosanct activities are carried out in busy market lanes where day to day businesses are carried out makes quite a few eyebrows to get raised and worry about the real underpinnings of these businesses.

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प्राचीन भारतीय मुद्रा प्रणाली

An Astrologer’s Day has the reference of old Indian currency- Pie

See its value-

फूटी (फुटलेली) कौड़ी (Phootie Cowrie) पासून कौड़ी,

कौड़ी (कवडी) पासून दमड़ी (Damri),

दमड़ी पासून धेला (Dhela)

धेला पासून पाई (Pie)

पाई पासून पैसा (Paisa)

पैसा पासून आणा (Aana)

आण्या पासून रूपया (Rupya) तयार झाला.

जुन्या चलनाचे रूपांतर:

हिंदी शब्द वापरले जात होते-

प्राचीन मुद्रा की इन्ही इकाइयों ने हमारी बोल-चाल की भाषा को कई कहावतें दी है, जो पहले की तरह अब भी प्रचलित है।

देखिए:

1) एक फूटी कौड़ी भी नहीं दूंगा।

2) धेले का काम नहीं करती हमारी बहू ।

3) चमड़ी जाए पर दमड़ी न जाए।

4) सोलह आने सच ।

5) पाई-पाई का हिसाब रखना।

मराठीतही या चलना संदर्भात उल्लेख आढळतो.

1) एक फुटकी कवडी पण नाहीये माझ्याकडे.

2) त्याने सोळा आणे खरं सांगितले.

3) पै – पै गोळा करून हे सर्व वाढवले आहे.