Bina Kutir
A. State whether these sentences are True or False
1. Bina Kutir is an RCC building.
Ans: False
2. Rehana is the name of the daughter.
Ans: False
3. The narrator sips Coca-Cola.
Ans: True
4. The young man is preparing for an Economics exam.
Ans: False
B. Answer in one or two words
1. Which car brand is mentioned?
Ans: Ford
2. Where is Mr Mehta’s office located?
Ans: Calcutta
3. Which alternative place was suggested for rent?
Ans: Fatasil
4. Where does the younger son go for medical studies?
Ans: Dibrugarh
5. Who is Brajen Kalita?
Ans: PWD overseer
C. Answer in a few words
1. Name the places from Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
Ans: Pasighat and Aizawl
2. Who is the younger son’s wife and where are they seen?
Ans: Rehana; in the backyard
3. Who enquired about a monthly shipment and what was it?
Ans: A couple; Glaxo
4. Where were classes shifted and why?
Ans: Bishnuram High School; due to military occupation
5. What did the girl go to watch?
Ans: Band party
D. Answer briefly
1. What is your impression of the neighbourhood of Bina Kutir?
Ans: The neighbourhood appears quiet and somewhat traditional, with a simple and middle-class environment. It reflects a mix of old charm and gradual urban change, giving a sense of familiarity and calmness.
2. What does the presence of commercial establishments indicate?
Ans: It shows rapid urbanisation where residential areas are slowly turning into commercial zones, reflecting economic growth and changing lifestyles in the city.
3. How does the Coca-Cola bottle help the narrator’s imagination?
Ans: The narrator uses the Coca-Cola bottle as a trigger for imagination. While sipping it, he visualizes the past life of Bina Kutir and imagines the people and their stories.
4. What plans do the two sons have?
Ans: The elder son plans to start a publishing business, while the younger son wants to build a modern RCC building and use it for commercial purposes.
E. Answer in detail
1. Comment on the significance of the title ‘Bina Kutir’.
Ans: The title ‘Bina Kutir’ is meaningful and symbolic. The word “Kutir” suggests a small, simple house, representing traditional values and simplicity. The house becomes a symbol of the past, reflecting a peaceful and value-based life.
Through the narrator’s imagination, the house is connected with a cultured and educated family. However, the story also shows a contrast between old values and modern commercial thinking. The sons’ plans to convert the house into a business space highlight this change.
Thus, the title represents both nostalgia for the past and the impact of modernisation on traditional life.
2. How important is the narrator’s imagination in characterisation?
Ans: The narrator’s imagination plays a major role in the story. Most of the characters are not directly shown but are created through his thoughts and assumptions.
He imagines the family members, their professions, and their relationships, giving life to the house and its history. This imaginative process makes the story interesting and meaningful.
At the same time, it reflects the narrator’s own feelings about change, tradition, and modern life. His imagination helps to highlight the theme of loss of values and the transformation of society.
Thus, characterisation in the story largely depends on the narrator’s creative thinking.