NCERT Class 7 Arts Kriti: Chapter 4 — Story of India’s Storytelling Tradition
This chapter introduces the concept of storytelling traditions in India through the character of Kathanjali, a timeless storyteller. It highlights how storytelling evolved from simple narration to incorporating elements like pictures, music, dance, and puppets to keep audiences engaged. The narrative explains the creation of storytellers to spread stories and the challenges faced by artists. The chapter aims to familiarize students with the folk forms of storytelling in India, the problems faced by artists today, and well-known traditional storytellers, emphasizing the cultural significance and evolution of this art form in India.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Kriti |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — Story of India’s Storytelling Tradition |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 120 |
Learning outcomes
- Identify various folk forms of storytelling in India.
- Understand the challenges faced by traditional storytellers today.
- Recognize well-known traditional storytellers and their contributions.
- Appreciate the evolution of storytelling as an art form.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kathanjali | A fictional character representing a timeless storyteller. |
| Narrate | To tell a story or describe a series of events. |
| Traditions | Beliefs or customs passed down through generations. |
| Folk forms | Traditional forms of art, music, or storytelling originating from ordinary people. |
| BCE | Before Common Era (equivalent to BC). |
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Practice questions
- Who is Kathanjali and what is her role in the chapter? Answer: Kathanjali is a fictional character who represents a timeless storyteller, loving to tell and create stories.
- What did Kathanjali notice around the 2nd century BCE? Answer: She noticed that listeners sometimes got bored or were distracted.
- What elements did Kathanjali introduce to make storytelling more interesting? Answer: She introduced pictures, music, dance, and puppets.
- Why did Kathanjali create storytellers? Answer: She created storytellers because she could not tell stories to everyone by herself and wanted to spread them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the chapter 'Storytelling traditions'?
The chapter explores the rich history and evolution of storytelling traditions in India, highlighting their cultural significance.
Who is Kathanjali?
Kathanjali is a fictional character who embodies the spirit of storytelling, having lived for thousands of years and witnessed the evolution of this art form.
How did storytelling change over time according to the chapter?
Initially simple narration, storytelling evolved to include pictures, music, dance, and puppets to enhance audience engagement.
What are the key learning objectives mentioned in the chapter?
Students will learn about folk forms of storytelling in India, problems faced by artists today, and well-known traditional storytellers.
What does BCE stand for?
BCE stands for Before Common Era, an alternative to BC (Before Christ).
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 7 Arts — Kriti — Chapter 4 — Story of India’s Storytelling Tradition. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.