NCERT Class 6 Arts Kriti-I (Sanskrit): Chapter 11 — सङ्गीतं समाजश्च
This chapter, 'Music and Society' from NCERT's Kriti-I (Sanskrit) for Class 6, explores the profound connection between music and society. It highlights how music can be a powerful tool for social messages, citing its use by leaders during India's freedom struggle to unite people against the British. The chapter introduces Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European Nobel laureate in Literature, and discusses how our national anthem, written in Bengali, reflects India's vast geographical diversity. It encourages students to understand song lyrics, their musicality, and how they celebrate diversity. The chapter also delves into ancient Indian texts like the Vedas and Upanishads, emphasizing values like kindness and truthfulness. It references Swami Vivekananda's inspiring quote from the Kathopanishad, 'Uddishthata Jagrata' (Arise, Awake), urging students to strive for their goals. The text further examines how music can both reinforce and challenge stereotypes related to culture, caste, and gender, encouraging critical thinking about societal norms.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Kriti-I (Sanskrit) |
| Chapter | Chapter 11 — सङ्गीतं समाजश्च |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 382 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the role of music in social messaging and national unity.
- Appreciate the diversity reflected in India's national anthem.
- Recognize the influence of ancient Indian texts on values.
- Analyze how music can reinforce or challenge societal stereotypes.
- Be inspired by motivational quotes for personal growth.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सङ्गीतं | Music |
| समाजश्च | And Society |
| राष्ट्रगीतं | National Anthem |
| विविधतायाः | Of Diversity |
| नोबेल् पुरस्कारविजेता | Nobel Prize Winner |
| सांस्कृतिक्यां | Cultural |
| भौगोलिक्यः | Geographical |
| वेदानाम् | Of the Vedas |
| उपनिषदाम् | Of the Upanishads |
| प्राचीनानां | Of Ancient |
| श्लोकं | Verse/Sloka |
| रूढिवादं | Stereotype |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- How did leaders use music during the freedom struggle? Answer: Leaders used music to unite people against the British.
- Who wrote India's national anthem and in which language? Answer: Rabindranath Tagore wrote it in Bengali.
- What values do ancient texts like the Vedas and Upanishads teach? Answer: They teach values like kindness, truthfulness, and love.
- What is the meaning of 'Uddishthata Jagrata'? Answer: It means 'Arise, Awake'.
- What does the chapter say about music and stereotypes? Answer: Music can be used to create or challenge stereotypes based on culture, caste, gender, etc.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the chapter 'सङ्गीतं समाजश्च'?
The chapter explores the relationship between music and society, its role in social messaging, national unity, and challenging stereotypes.
Who was Rabindranath Tagore and why is he mentioned?
Rabindranath Tagore was the first non-European Nobel laureate in Literature, and he composed India's national anthem in Bengali.
What ancient Indian texts are referenced in the chapter?
The chapter references the Vedas and Upanishads.
What is the meaning of the quote 'Uddishthata Jagrata'?
The quote, from the Kathopanishad, means 'Arise, Awake'.
How can music be used to create stereotypes?
Music can reinforce preconceived notions or generalizations based on culture, caste, or gender.
Can music also be used to challenge stereotypes?
Yes, the chapter suggests that music can be a powerful tool to question and change existing stereotypes.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 6 Arts — Kriti-I (Sanskrit) — Chapter 11 — सङ्गीतं समाजश्च. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.