Line is the most basic medium of visual art; every drawing begins with a line. This lesson shows the types of lines and what they express, how geometric shapes hide inside objects, and how to draw objects and still life.
Key points
Practise freehand drawing without a ruler to sharpen observation.
Rhythmic line – curves like waves; gives rhythm and movement (waves, mountain roads, creepers).
Spiral line – starts at a point and curves outward; shows concentration and growth (shell, snail, chakli).
Intersecting lines – cross each other (tiles, chessboard, window grill); suggest conflict or confusion.
Tangled line – twisted like a net (tangled thread, bird's nest); shows complexity.
Radiating lines – spread from one centre (sun's rays, petals); show energy and growth.
Find the basic shape in an object first – a cupboard is a vertical rectangle, a ball a circle, a joker's cap a triangle – then add details.
Object drawing is a true-to-life drawing of an object in front of you; still life is an artistic arrangement of chosen objects drawn together.
Important terms
Freehand drawing – drawing without instruments
Still life – drawing of a set arrangement of objects
Radiating lines – lines spreading out from one centre
Key facts
Use pencils, sketch pens or coloured chalk for practice.
Keep sharp pencils and cutters pointed away from you.
5 important questions
Q1. What is a spiral line? Give an example.
A line that starts at a point and curves outward in circles, e.g. a snail's shell.
Q2. Which lines suggest energy and growth?
Radiating lines.
Q3. What basic shape is hidden in a ball?
A circle.
Q4. What is still life?
An artistic drawing of a chosen arrangement of objects.
Q5. Why practise freehand drawing?
It develops observation and drawing skill.
Exam tip
Match each line type with its example and feeling; that is the most common question.
Our minds store scenes we have seen and things we have imagined. This lesson teaches memory drawing (drawing what we remember) and imaginative drawing (drawing what we imagine), including drawings with a social message.
Key points
Memory drawing: putting remembered scenes on paper with lines, shapes and colours – e.g. a market, a festival, a game, a trip.
Observe your surroundings closely so that you remember details later.
Imaginative drawing: expressing the imagination of the mind as a picture – e.g. a city under the sea, a flying school.
Imaginative drawing builds creativity and new ideas.
Social awareness drawing: a picture that carries a message, such as saving water, cleanliness or equality.
Fill the whole page, show people in action, and use colours that suit the mood.
Important terms
Memory drawing – drawing of a remembered scene
Imaginative drawing – drawing from one's imagination
Social awareness drawing – drawing with a social message
Key facts
Plan the picture lightly in pencil first.
Keep colours and water pots steady to avoid spills.
5 important questions
Q1. What is memory drawing?
Drawing a remembered scene on paper with lines, shapes and colours.
Q2. What is imaginative drawing?
Expressing one's imagination on paper as a picture.
Q3. Give two subjects for memory drawing.
A festival and a vegetable market.
Q4. What is social awareness drawing?
A drawing that gives a message to society, like saving water.
Q5. How can you improve memory drawing?
By observing surroundings carefully and noting details.
Exam tip
Pick a subject you know well; details make memory drawings score high.
A design is an arrangement of lines, shapes and colours that makes an object look beautiful and attractive. This lesson explains symmetrical and asymmetrical composition, rhythm, balance and the basics of colour.
Key points
Designs are all around us – on fabric, rangoli, buildings, leaves and butterflies.
Symmetrical composition: a vertical line through the centre divides the picture into two identical halves (butterfly, many rangolis).
Asymmetrical composition: the two sides are not identical, yet the picture still looks pleasing.
Rhythm: shapes, lines or colours repeated in a fixed sequence – e.g. embroidery borders, rows of bricks.
Balance: a pleasing relation between the sizes of shapes and between colours and shades.
Primary colours: red, yellow, blue – they cannot be made by mixing other colours.
Secondary colours: made by mixing two primary colours equally – red + yellow = orange, yellow + blue = green, red + blue = violet.
Important terms
Design – pleasing arrangement of lines, shapes and colours
Symmetry – two identical halves
Rhythm – repetition in a fixed order
Primary colours – red, yellow and blue
Key facts
Mix colours on a palette, not in the paint box.
Wash brushes after each colour to keep colours clean.
5 important questions
Q1. What is a design?
An arrangement of lines, shapes and colours that makes something look attractive.
Q2. Name the primary colours.
Red, yellow and blue.
Q3. Which colour is made by mixing yellow and blue?
Green.
Q4. What is symmetrical composition?
A picture that a central vertical line divides into two identical halves.
Q5. Give an example of rhythm in daily life.
A repeated embroidery border or a row of bricks.
Exam tip
Learn the colour-mixing equations; they are asked as fill in the blanks.
Letters can be written beautifully as an art. This lesson introduces calligraphy (lettering), its tools, our script heritage – the Devanagari script, stone and copper-plate inscriptions – and digital typography.
Key points
Calligraphy / lettering: arranging letters in a beautiful, artistic and attractive way.
The tools used for lettering (pens, nibs, brushes, markers) are called mediums.
Devanagari script is used to write Marathi, Hindi, Sanskrit and Konkani.
The horizontal line drawn across the top of Devanagari letters is the shirorekha (headline).
Shilalekh – writing carved on stone; Tamrapat – writing engraved on copper sheets. These tell us about history.
Digital typography: typing letters on a computer and giving them an attractive look.
A font is the particular style in which letters appear on a screen.
Practise straight, slanting and curved strokes evenly before full letters.
Important terms
Calligraphy – artistic writing of letters
Shirorekha – headline on top of Devanagari letters
Shilalekh – stone inscription
Font – style of letters on a computer
Key facts
Hold the pen at a steady angle for even strokes.
Keep ink bottles closed and away from the edge of the desk.
5 important questions
Q1. What is calligraphy?
Writing letters in a beautiful, artistic way.
Q2. Which languages use the Devanagari script?
Marathi, Hindi, Sanskrit and Konkani.
Q3. What is a shirorekha?
The horizontal line on top of Devanagari letters.
Q4. What is a tamrapat?
Writing engraved on a copper sheet.
Q5. What is a font?
The style in which letters appear on a computer screen.
Exam tip
Remember the three heritage words: shirorekha, shilalekh, tamrapat.
Three-dimensional (3D) shapes have length, width and height. This lesson introduces different kinds of clay, making solid shapes in clay, using waste material and paper pulp, and the paper-quilling technique.
Key points
2D shapes have only length and width and are flat – a drawing, square, circle.
3D (solid) shapes also have height or thickness – cube, sphere, cylinder, cone.
Local clay (from streams, riverbanks, fields) cracks easily; mixing in cow dung, cotton or sawdust reduces cracks.
Terracotta clay is red and very flexible; used for large shapes and sculptures.
Shadu clay is grey, sticky, reusable and eco-friendly.
Plasticine is artificial clay that can be used again and again.
Waste to art: a bowl from a coconut shell, a piggy bank from a box; objects from paper pulp.
Paper quilling: rolling thin strips of paper into coils to make patterns and decorations.
Important terms
3D shape – shape with length, width and height
Terracotta – red, flexible baked-clay material
Shadu clay – grey, eco-friendly reusable clay
Paper quilling – art of rolled paper strips
Key facts
Wash hands after clay work.
Use scissors and glue carefully; keep work areas clean.
5 important questions
Q1. What is the difference between 2D and 3D shapes?
2D shapes are flat with length and width; 3D shapes also have height or thickness.
Q2. Give two examples of 3D shapes.
Cube and sphere.
Q3. How can cracks in local clay be reduced?
By mixing cow dung, cotton or sawdust into it.
Q4. Why is shadu clay called eco-friendly?
It is natural and can be reused.
Q5. What is paper quilling?
Rolling thin paper strips into coils to make designs.
Exam tip
Learn the four kinds of clay with one feature each.
Visual arts are part of our daily and festive life, not just entertainment. This lesson looks at rangoli and its types and regional names, wooden mask art of the Korku tribe, and the Warli painter Jivya Soma Mashe.
Key points
Rangoli is a traditional art that brings joy to the home and surroundings.
Types: dot rangoli (dots joined into shapes), freehand rangoli, Sanskar Bharti rangoli (drawn with all five fingers, large dense patterns), flower rangoli, water rangoli (patterns floating on water), grain/seed rangoli.
Earlier, rangoli was drawn with rice flour so ants and birds could eat it – a way of thanking nature.
Korku tribal art of the Satpura ranges: wooden masks carved mostly from teak and painted with natural colours; they have social and religious importance.
Jivya Soma Mashe (born 1934, Zari village, Talasari taluka, Palghar district) took Warli painting onto paper and canvas and made it famous worldwide. His work shows daily life, farming, festivals and dances.
Many local arts – painting, weaving, metal and bamboo work – exist in every area.
Important terms
Rangoli – decorative floor art
Warli – tribal painting style of Maharashtra
Korku – tribe of the Satpura region known for wooden masks
Key facts
Use natural colours where possible.
Handle carving tools only under adult supervision.
5 important questions
Q1. Name any three types of rangoli.
Dot rangoli, flower rangoli, water rangoli.
Q2. Why was rangoli made with rice flour earlier?
So ants and birds could eat it, as thanks to nature.
Q3. Who was Jivya Soma Mashe?
A famous Warli painter from Palghar district who made Warli art known worldwide.
Q4. Which tribe makes wooden masks in the Satpura ranges?
The Korku tribe.
Q5. How is Sanskar Bharti rangoli drawn?
With all five fingers, in large, dense patterns.
Exam tip
Remember Jivya Soma Mashe's details (Warli, Palghar, born 1934).
Theatre begins with expressing ourselves clearly. This lesson teaches experience narration – telling others an experience exactly as it happened – and dialogue writing from a story or incident.
Key points
We have many experiences every day; telling them exactly as they happened is called experience narration.
Example: Sanju could not finish homework because he went with his mother to see the Dindi. He described the crowd, devotees dancing with flags, cymbals and songs praising Lord Vitthal.
The teacher corrected him: the instruments were not drums but pakhawaj or mridang.
The teacher praised him for describing an unusual experience in simple words.
Good narration needs natural speech, clear dialogue delivery, stage confidence and spontaneity.
Dialogue writing: turning an incident into a conversation between characters, e.g. Pratik and Saurabh noticing that the flower-seller Shyamrao did not speak to them one day.
Dialogues should be short, natural and suited to each character.
Important terms
Experience narration – telling an experience exactly as it happened
Dialogue – conversation between characters
Pakhawaj / mridang – barrel-shaped drum played in the Dindi
Key facts
Speak loudly and clearly so everyone can hear.
Listen quietly when others narrate.
5 important questions
Q1. What is experience narration?
Telling an experience to others exactly as it happened.
Q2. What did Sanju go to see?
The Dindi.
Q3. What instruments did the teacher name?
Pakhawaj or mridang.
Q4. Name two qualities of good narration.
Naturalness and stage confidence.
Q5. What is dialogue writing?
Writing an incident as a conversation between characters.
Exam tip
In dialogue writing, put each speaker's name before a colon, as the textbook does.
This lesson introduces two solo forms of acting: the monologue (natyachhata), where one performer plays many characters, and mime (mookabhinaya), where a story is told without words.
Key points
Monologue (natyachhata): one performer presents the roles of various characters alone.
A monologue is memorised and presented on stage with proper gestures, voice changes and expressions.
Its subject should suit the performer's age so it is easy to understand and present.
Mime (mookabhinaya): conveying a story, situation or emotion only through facial expressions, body movement and signs – no words. In English it is called a mime play.
Mime has no language barrier, so people anywhere can understand it.
Charlie Chaplin is a world-famous example of this wordless acting.
Both forms build observation, expression, body control and confidence.
Important terms
Natyachhata – dramatic monologue by one performer
Mookabhinaya – mime – acting without words
Gesture – movement of hands or body that shows meaning
Key facts
Warm up face and body before acting.
Practise in an open space so you don't bump into things.
5 important questions
Q1. What is a monologue?
Performing the roles of various characters by a single performer.
Q2. What is mime?
Conveying a story or emotion through expressions, movement and signs without words.
Q3. Why does mime have no language barrier?
Because it uses no words, only actions.
Q4. Name a famous mime artist.
Charlie Chaplin.
Q5. How should a monologue's subject be chosen?
It should suit the performer's age group.
Exam tip
Know the Marathi names: natyachhata and mookabhinaya.
Every performance happens on a stage. This lesson introduces the stage, the set (nepathya), makeup, costumes and stage etiquette – the things that turn acting into a real play.
Key points
Stage: the main space where any art form or performance is presented.
Nepathya (set): the background and scenery arranged on stage to show the place and time of the story.
Symbolic set: a simple, suggestive set used to reduce expenses wherever suitable.
Nepathyakar (set designer): the artist who designs the set, first sketching it on paper.
Makeup: styling the face to show emotions suited to the character's nature.
Costumes: the clothes, jewellery, headgear and other items given to the actors.
Stage etiquette: rules for behaving properly on and around the stage – being on time, keeping quiet backstage, respecting props and fellow artists.
A play is teamwork: actors, set designer, makeup artist, costume and light and sound helpers.
Important terms
Nepathya – stage set / scenery
Nepathyakar – set designer
Costume – dress and accessories of a character
Stage etiquette – rules of behaviour on stage
Key facts
Keep the stage clear of loose wires and props.
Use safe, skin-friendly makeup and remove it after the show.
5 important questions
Q1. What is a stage?
The main space where a performance is presented.
Q2. What is a symbolic set?
A simple suggestive set used to reduce expenses.
Q3. Who is a nepathyakar?
The artist who designs the stage set.
Q4. What is makeup in theatre?
Styling the face to show the character's emotions and nature.
Q5. Give two rules of stage etiquette.
Be on time; keep quiet backstage.
Exam tip
Learn the Marathi words nepathya and nepathyakar with their meanings.
Maharashtra has a rich tradition of folk theatre. This lesson introduces folk arts – traditional arts performed in villages – especially Tamasha and Dashavatar.
Key points
Folk arts: traditional arts performed in villages across Maharashtra.
Folk theatre forms include Tamasha, Dashavatar, Lalit, Gondhal, Bharud, Vagnatya, Vasudev, Dombari acts, Bhajan and Kirtan.
Tamasha is the most popular folk drama of Maharashtra. It includes songs, dance, Lavani, Gan-Gavlan, Vag, humour and spontaneous dialogue, and spreads awareness of social issues.
Dashavatar is a similar folk performance staged at village fairs in the Konkan.
Folk arts were entertainment and also a way to share stories, devotion and social messages.
They pass from generation to generation and are part of our cultural heritage; we should watch, learn and preserve them.
Important terms
Folk art – traditional art of the village community
Tamasha – popular folk drama of Maharashtra
Dashavatar – folk performance of the Konkan
Vag – comic play section in Tamasha
Key facts
Watch village performances with family or teachers.
Respect performers and the place of performance.
5 important questions
Q1. What are folk arts?
Traditional arts performed in villages across Maharashtra.
Q2. Which is the most popular folk theatre form of Maharashtra?
Tamasha.
Q3. Name four parts of Tamasha.
Songs, dance, Gan-Gavlan and Vag.
Q4. Where is Dashavatar performed?
At village fairs in the Konkan.
Q5. Name any four folk arts.
Gondhal, Bharud, Kirtan, Vasudev.
Exam tip
List at least five folk arts by name; they are often asked.
This lesson introduces Indian classical music: the seven swaras, shuddha, komal and tivra notes, basic terms like aaroh, avaroh, alankar and raga, and the details of Raga Bhup (Bhupali).
Key points
Seven swaras: Sa – Shadja, Re – Rishabh, Ga – Gandhar, Ma – Madhyam, Pa – Pancham, Dha – Dhaivat, Ni – Nishad. The swar is called the soul of music.
There are 7 shuddha (natural) notes, 4 komal (flat) notes – Re, Ga, Dha, Ni – and 1 tivra (sharp) note – Ma; these can be told apart on the harmonium.
Aaroh: notes in ascending order (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa). Avaroh: notes in descending order.
Alankar: a fixed pattern of rising and falling notes, used for practice.
Raga: a specific, structured arrangement of notes that gives pleasure.
Vadi swar: the main note of a raga; samvadi swar: the second most important; varjya swar: notes left out.
Raga Bhup: from Kalyan thaat; all notes shuddha; Ma and Ni are varjya; jati Odav-Odav (five notes up and down); vadi Ga, samvadi Dha; sung in the first prahar of the night; calm mood.
Important terms
Swar – musical note
Aaroh / Avaroh – ascending / descending notes
Raga – structured, pleasing arrangement of notes
Vadi swar – most important note of a raga
Key facts
Practise alankars daily in slow tempo.
Sing within your natural range; avoid straining the voice.
Folk music reflects the life, history and culture of a region and is called the soul of folk culture. This lesson explains its features, the instruments used and its main kinds in Maharashtra.
Key points
Folk music is passed from generation to generation by oral tradition and is closely linked to local life.
Collectiveness: usually sung in groups at festivals, farm work or gatherings – Gondhal, farmer songs, Bhalari, Bhondla, Powada, Bhajan, Bharud.
Oral tradition: learnt by listening and singing, without written books – grinding songs (jatyavarchya ovya), Nagpanchami songs, Dhangari ovya, wedding songs.
Simplicity: easy compositions anyone can sing – aartis, shlokas.
Regional identity: changes with climate, language and occupation of each region.
Classical dances are traditional dance forms performed according to set techniques and rules. India has many classical styles, each from a different region, showing our rich cultural heritage.
Key points
Kathak – North India; Hindustani music; fast spins, rhythmic footwork and storytelling; tabla, pakhawaj, harmonium, sarangi. Artist: Guru Dr. Rohini Bhate.
Bharatanatyam – Tamil Nadu; Carnatic music; araimandi posture, temple jewellery; mridangam, ghatam, flute, violin. Artist: Guru Dr. Suchita Bhide-Chafekar.
Kuchipudi – from the dance-drama tradition of Andhra Pradesh; Carnatic music.
Odissi – temples of Odisha. Artist: Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Mohiniyattam and Kathakali – Kerala; Carnatic music.
Manipuri – Manipur.
Sattriya – monasteries (satras) of Assam; devotional music.
Chhau – Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Most styles can be solo or group, by men and women; dancers wear ghungroos.
Important terms
Classical dance – dance following set rules and technique
Ghungroo – ankle bells
Araimandi – half-sitting posture of Bharatanatyam
Key facts
Warm up before dance practice.
Practise on a smooth, non-slippery floor.
5 important questions
Q1. What is classical dance?
A traditional dance performed according to set techniques and rules.
A good dance performance needs more than steps. This lesson explains the technical elements of a performance – literature, music, makeup and costume, stage setting, sound, lighting and the auditorium – plus stage etiquette and how to plan a dance.
Key points
Dance literature: choose songs, poems or stories by looking at the rhythm of the words and the emotions they carry.
Music: dance gives visual form to notes; notice the rise and fall of notes, pitch and sound.
Makeup and costume: depend on the theme – costumes, jewellery, ghungroos, masks, turbans.
Stage setting: decorations such as flower garlands on curtains highlight the theme.
Lighting: spotlights, halogen and LED lights; coloured filters create moods (red light for anger, Raudra rasa).
Auditorium: stage, wings, curtain and backstage area.
Performer etiquette: be ready on time, handle equipment and props carefully, no footwear on stage (never with ghungroos), know entries and exits, respect fellow dancers.
Planning a dance: theme → matching music → creating the dance with the teacher → regular practice → makeup and costume → technical planning → confident presentation.
Important terms
Stage wings – side spaces of the stage for entry and exit
Backstage – area behind the stage
Coloured filter – light cover that changes stage colour and mood
Key facts
Tape down cables so no one trips.
Do not touch lights; they get very hot.
5 important questions
Q1. What should be considered when choosing dance literature?
The rhythm of the words and the emotions they express.
Q2. Name three items of sound equipment.
Microphone, speaker, sound board.
Q3. Why are coloured filters used?
To create moods and highlight emotions, e.g. red for anger.
Q4. Why should footwear not be worn on stage?
It is part of stage etiquette; classical dance with ghungroos is done barefoot.
Q5. What is the first step in planning a dance?
Selecting a suitable theme.
Exam tip
Learn the seven technical elements in order; they are asked as a list.
This short project lesson asks students to learn about the folk and classical dance artists of their own area and to prepare a report on a local dance form.
Key points
Collect information about local folk or classical dance artists; discuss their life and work in class.
If possible, meet them, interview them or watch their performances, then write a short note in your notebook.
Artists named in this book include Guru Dr. Rohini Bhate (Kathak), Guru Dr. Suchita Bhide-Chafekar (Bharatanatyam) and Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (Odissi).
Report on a local dance form – points to include:
1) Title of the report 2) Name of the dance form 3) Place of origin 4) History and where it is performed
5) Performance style – solo, group, female, male or mixed 6) Makeup and costume 7) Special features of the dance form.
Such projects help preserve local dance traditions and build respect for artists.
Important terms
Interview – asking an artist planned questions
Report – organised written account of a topic
Folk dance – traditional dance of a community
Key facts
Visit artists only with a parent or teacher.
Ask permission before photographing or recording a performance.
5 important questions
Q1. What should you do to learn about a local dance artist?
Collect information, meet or interview them, or watch their performance.
Q2. Name any four points of a dance-form report.
Name, place of origin, history, costume.
Q3. What does 'performance style' include?
Solo, group, female, male or mixed.
Q4. Name a renowned Odissi artist.
Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
Q5. Why are such projects useful?
They help preserve local dance traditions.
Exam tip
Learn the seven report points in order; the project format is examined.