NCERT Class 4 Arts Bansuri - I (Sanskrit): Chapter 15 — मम नृत्यं कथाः कथयन्ति
This chapter, 'My Dance Tells Stories' from NCERT Class 4 Arts Bansuri - I, introduces students to the expressive power of dance. It begins by referencing the popular Panchatantra story 'The Lion and the Hare' and encourages students to explore storytelling through movement. The chapter includes an activity, 'Animal Play,' where students are prompted to observe and imitate the movements and actions of various animals. They learn to use specific hand gestures (mudras) like 'Sarpa Shirsha' for an elephant's ears and 'Simha Mukha' for its trunk, and are encouraged to create their own mudras. By embodying animals like elephants and monkeys through dance, students develop creativity, observation skills, and an understanding of how dance can communicate narratives, enhancing their overall learning experience in the arts.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Bansuri - I (Sanskrit) |
| Chapter | Chapter 15 — मम नृत्यं कथाः कथयन्ति |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 159 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand that dance can be used to tell stories.
- Observe and imitate animal movements.
- Learn and use specific hand gestures (mudras) in dance.
- Create new hand gestures for dance movements.
- Participate in group activities involving dance and imitation.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| नृत्यं | Dance |
| कथाः | Stories |
| पञ्चतन्त्रस्य | Of Panchatantra |
| सिंहः | Lion |
| शशकः | Hare |
| क्रियाकलापः | Activity |
| पशुक्रीडा | Animal Play |
| शरीरसञ्चालनस्य | Of body movement |
| मण्डलाकारे | In a circle |
| हस्तमुद्राणां | Of hand gestures |
| गजस्य | Of the elephant |
| मर्कटः | Monkey |
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Practice questions
- What is the main theme of the chapter 'मम नृत्यं कथाः कथयन्ति'? Answer: The main theme is that dance can tell stories and express actions, using animal movements as an example.
- Which story is mentioned at the beginning of the chapter? Answer: The story 'The Lion and the Hare' from Panchatantra is mentioned.
- What is the name of the activity in this chapter? Answer: The activity is called 'Animal Play' (पशुक्रीडा).
- Name two hand gestures mentioned in the chapter. Answer: The chapter mentions 'Sarpa Shirsha' (for elephant's ears) and 'Simha Mukha' (for elephant's trunk).
- What are students encouraged to do during the 'Animal Play' activity? Answer: Students are encouraged to imitate the movements of animals like elephants and monkeys using hand gestures and body movements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the chapter 'मम नृत्यं कथाः कथयन्ति' about?
This chapter teaches how dance can tell stories, using animal movements and hand gestures as examples.
What is the 'Animal Play' activity?
It's an activity where students imitate animal movements and use hand gestures, like those of an elephant or monkey.
What are 'mudras' mentioned in the chapter?
Mudras are specific hand gestures used in dance to represent actions or parts of an animal, such as an elephant's ears or trunk.
Can students create their own dance movements?
Yes, students are encouraged to create their own new hand gestures and movements.
Which story is referenced at the beginning of the chapter?
The chapter references the Panchatantra story 'The Lion and the Hare'.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 4 Arts — Bansuri - I (Sanskrit) — Chapter 15 — मम नृत्यं कथाः कथयन्ति. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.