Bihar Board Class 11 English Read, Think and Enjoy Chapter 8 – I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida

Bihar Board Class 11 English Read, Think and Enjoy Chapter 8 – I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida is a poem by Amrita Pritam. The poem presents the image of an Indian woman and explores the different roles, qualities and responsibilities associated with womanhood.

I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida is included in the Read, Think and Enjoy section of Bihar Board Class 11 English Rainbow Part 1. The poem is especially important for understanding the speaker’s identity, the significance of the title and the condition of women in society. 1

Bihar Board Class 11 English I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida – Overview

I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida – Introduction

I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida is a reflective poem by Amrita Pritam. The speaker identifies herself with the land of Dravida and presents different dimensions of an Indian woman’s life.

The poem presents woman as a figure capable of both love and strength. The speaker describes the woman as having different responsibilities and qualities according to the circumstances of life.

I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida – Summary

The poem presents the speaker as a daughter of the land of Dravida. Through this identity, she describes the qualities and experiences associated with Indian womanhood.

The speaker presents woman as having two contrasting but complementary aspects. One aspect is associated with love, creation, care and affection. The other represents strength and the ability to resist or destroy evil.

The poem therefore does not present woman as weak or limited to one role. Instead, she is shown as capable of nurturing others while also possessing courage and strength when circumstances demand it.

The speaker connects these qualities with cultural and mythological images. The poem refers to the contrasting qualities represented by figures such as Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kali.

Through these images, the poet emphasises that Indian women can perform different roles in family and society. They may provide love and care, but they can also stand against injustice and harmful forces.

The repeated reference to the land of Dravida strengthens the speaker’s sense of identity and belonging.

About the Poet – Amrita Pritam

Amrita Pritam was a prominent Indian poet and writer. Her literary work often explored human emotions, relationships, identity and the experiences of women.

In this poem, she presents an image of womanhood that combines tenderness with strength.

Why Does the Speaker Call Herself Kam-Kanya and Kal-Kanya?

The speaker calls herself both Kam-Kanya and Kal-Kanya because the poem presents two different aspects of womanhood.

One aspect represents love, affection and creation, while the other represents strength and destruction of evil.

According to the textual explanation, the speaker associates these contrasting qualities with the different roles an Indian woman may have to perform in her life. 2

Role of Indian Woman in the Poem

The poem presents Indian woman as a person who performs several responsibilities in family and society.

She may be a daughter, wife, mother or caregiver. She gives love and support to people around her and contributes to the well-being of her family.

At the same time, she can demonstrate courage and strength when facing injustice or evil.

This combination of affection and strength is one of the central ideas of the poem.

Significance of the Title

The title I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida is significant because it expresses the speaker’s identity and her connection with the land of Dravida.

The same idea is repeated at the end of the stanzas, giving the poem a strong sense of unity and emphasis. The repetition reinforces the speaker’s pride in her cultural identity. 3

Why Does Each Stanza End With This Line?

The repeated line “I am the daughter of the land of Dravida” reinforces the central idea of the poem.

It reminds the reader that all the qualities and experiences described by the speaker are connected with her identity as a daughter of the land of Dravida.

The repetition also gives the poem a rhythmic and memorable structure. 4

Woman as Creator and Destroyer

An important idea in the poem is that a woman can possess apparently opposite qualities.

As a creator and caregiver, she represents love, affection and nurturing. The poem connects this aspect with figures such as Lakshmi and Saraswati.

When faced with evil, she can become powerful and courageous. This aspect is associated with Goddess Kali.

Thus, the poem presents strength and tenderness as complementary qualities rather than opposites.

Condition of Women in Society

The lesson also asks students to think about the condition of women in society.

Although the position of women has improved in many areas, social inequality and discrimination continue to exist in different forms. Women participate in education, employment, politics and other areas of public life, but challenges remain.

The textual answer also points out that women in rural areas may have to work very hard while receiving limited recognition or reward. 5

Main Themes of I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida

1. Womanhood

The poem explores the different roles and qualities associated with women.

2. Love and Care

Woman is presented as a source of love, affection and support for her family.

3. Strength

The poem emphasises that women can also demonstrate courage and power when confronting evil.

4. Cultural Identity

The repeated reference to Dravida establishes a strong sense of cultural identity and belonging.

5. Social Condition of Women

The poem encourages readers to think about women’s position and responsibilities in society.

6. Creation and Destruction

The contrasting images of nurturing and destroying evil represent the two complementary sides of womanhood.

Important Questions from I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida

• Who is the poet of I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida?
• Why does the speaker call herself both Kam-Kanya and Kal-Kanya?
• What is the significance of the title?
• Why does each stanza end with the same line?
• What does the poem say about Indian womanhood?
• How is woman presented as a creator?
• How is woman presented as a destroyer of evil?
• What is the significance of Dravida in the poem?
• What does the poem say about the condition of women?
• What are the major themes of the poem?
• Explain the contrast between love and strength in the poem.
• Write the summary of I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Who is the poet of I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida?

Answer: The poet of I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida is Amrita Pritam. 6

Question 2. Why does the speaker call herself both Kam-Kanya and Kal-Kanya?

Answer: The speaker calls herself both because womanhood contains two contrasting qualities. A woman can represent love, care and creation, while she can also demonstrate strength and destroy evil when necessary. 7

Question 3. What is the significance of the title?

Answer: The title expresses the speaker’s identity and her connection with the land of Dravida. Its repetition throughout the poem emphasises this cultural identity. 8

Question 4. Why does each stanza end with the same line?

Answer: The repeated line reinforces the central idea of the poem and emphasises the speaker’s identity as a daughter of the land of Dravida.

Question 5. How is woman presented in the poem?

Answer: Woman is presented as loving, caring and creative, but also courageous and powerful enough to resist evil.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Explain the significance of the title I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida.

Answer: The title expresses the speaker’s cultural identity and her connection with the land of Dravida. It is repeated at the end of the stanzas, making it the central idea of the poem.

The title also connects the qualities described in the poem with the speaker’s cultural background. The repetition gives the poem unity and emphasises the speaker’s pride in her identity. 9

Question 2. Explain the two different aspects of womanhood presented in the poem.

Answer: The poem presents woman as both a loving creator and a powerful destroyer of evil.

In her nurturing role, she gives love and care to her family and relatives. This aspect is associated with divine figures such as Lakshmi and Saraswati.

In difficult situations, however, she can demonstrate courage and strength. This aspect is associated with Goddess Kali. The poet therefore presents womanhood as a combination of tenderness and power.

Question 3. Describe the condition of women in society.

Answer: The position of women has improved in many areas. Women today participate in education, employment and different areas of public life.

However, inequality and discrimination still exist. Women in some rural and disadvantaged communities may work very hard without receiving equal recognition or opportunities. The question encourages students to think critically about the continuing challenges faced by women in society. 10

I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida – Important Word Meanings

Exam Oriented Points

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chapter 8 of Read, Think and Enjoy?

Chapter 8 of the Read, Think and Enjoy section is I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida. 11

Who wrote I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida?

Amrita Pritam wrote the poem.

What is the poem about?

The poem explores Indian womanhood, cultural identity and the contrasting qualities of love, care and strength.

Why does the speaker call herself Kam-Kanya and Kal-Kanya?

She uses these contrasting identities to represent the two sides of womanhood—love and creation on one side and strength against evil on the other.

What is the significance of the title?

The title expresses the speaker’s identity and connection with the land of Dravida and is reinforced through repetition at the end of the stanzas.

How to Prepare Chapter 8 for the Exam

1. Remember the poet’s name — Amrita Pritam.
2. Understand the central idea of the poem.
3. Prepare the meaning of Kam-Kanya and Kal-Kanya.
4. Understand the significance of the title.
5. Learn why the title line is repeated.
6. Prepare the two aspects of womanhood presented in the poem.
7. Revise the condition of women in society.
8. Learn the important word meanings.
9. Practise the short-answer and long-answer questions.

Important Links

Conclusion

Bihar Board Class 11 English Read, Think and Enjoy Chapter 8 – I Am The Daughter of The Land of Dravida is a thoughtful poem by Amrita Pritam that presents different dimensions of Indian womanhood.

The poem combines love, care, creation and strength and connects these qualities with the speaker’s cultural identity. The repeated reference to the land of Dravida gives the poem a strong sense of identity and unity.

For examination preparation, students should focus especially on the summary, Kam-Kanya and Kal-Kanya, significance of the title, repeated line, condition of women, main themes, word meanings and questions and answers.