NCERT Class 5 Arts Bansuri (Sanskrit): Chapter 3 — चित्रकथाः
This chapter, 'चित्रकथाः' (Chitrakathaḥ) from NCERT Class 5 Arts Bansuri, explores how we interact with people daily and how each person has a unique style of movement, speech, expression, and appearance. It encourages students to observe and visualize the details of loved ones, including their faces, smiles, hairstyles, clothes, voices, gestures, and daily activities. The chapter introduces the concept of observing people's actions and the objects around them. It also highlights new ways to depict stories of people and their lives through shadow plays and emoji-based stories. Students will learn about the formation of shadows and how they can be manipulated using body parts and simple objects to create various figures, fostering creativity and observational skills.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Bansuri (Sanskrit) |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — चित्रकथाः |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 194 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the uniqueness of individual expressions and appearances.
- Learn to observe and visualize details of people and their activities.
- Explore the concept of shadow formation and manipulation.
- Create shadow figures using body parts and simple objects.
- Discover new ways to tell stories through shadow plays and emojis.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| संवादं | conversation |
| अभिव्यक्तेः | expression |
| विशिष्टा | special/unique |
| शैली | style |
| प्रियजनानां | loved ones |
| चिन्तयतु | think |
| चित्रयतु | draw/visualize |
| निरीक्षणं | observation |
| छाया-नाटकस्य | shadow play |
| माध्यमेन | through/by means of |
| आविष्करिष्यति | will discover |
| छायाचिह्नम् | shadow mark/shadow play |
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Practice questions
- प्रत्येकस्य व्यक्तेः गमनस्य, वार्तालापस्य, हास्यस्य, भाषणस्य, भावस्य अभिव्यक्तेः च का शैली भवति? Answer: प्रत्येकस्य व्यक्तेः गमनस्य, वार्तालापस्य, हास्यस्य, भाषणस्य, भावस्य अभिव्यक्तेः च विशिष्टा शैली भवति।
- छाया कथं निर्मियते? Answer: यदा प्रकाशः केनचित् वस्तुना सजीवेन वा अवरुद्धा भवति, तदा सा तस्य पृष्ठभागे छायां निर्माति।
- छाया-जीवानां निर्माणाय बहिः गत्वा किं कर्तुं शक्यते? Answer: छाया-जीवानां निर्माणाय बहिः गत्वा हस्तौ विस्तृतौ कृत्वा उड्डीयमानपक्षिणः इव दोलयितुं शक्यते वा जानोरुपरि अधोमुखं कुञ्जीभूय गजस्य शुण्डं निर्मातुं स्वहस्तौ प्रयुज्यताम्।
- छाया-जीवानां निर्माणाय किं किं वस्तु उपयुक्तं भवति? Answer: छाया-जीवानां निर्माणाय आङ्गुलयः, दण्डाः, शिलाः वा उपयुक्तं भवन्ति।
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of Chapter 3, 'चित्रकथाः', in Class 5 Arts Bansuri?
The chapter focuses on observing human actions, expressions, and unique styles, and introduces creative ways to depict stories through shadow plays and emojis.
How are shadows formed according to the chapter?
Shadows are formed when light is blocked by an object, whether living or non-living, creating a shadow on the surface behind it.
What activities are suggested for creating shadow figures?
Students are encouraged to go outside on a sunny day and use their hands to create shapes like flying birds or an elephant's trunk, and to explore creating other figures like peacocks or snakes.
What other materials can be used to create shadow figures besides body parts?
Besides body parts, the chapter suggests using fingers, sticks, or stones to create shadow figures.
What new methods of storytelling are introduced in this chapter?
The chapter introduces shadow plays (छाया-नाटक) and emoji-based stories as new ways to depict the lives and stories of people.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 Arts — Bansuri (Sanskrit) — Chapter 3 — चित्रकथाः. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.