8. Unity in Diversity, or ‘Many in the One’
🌏 A Rich Diversity
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Visible Diversity:
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Landscapes, food, dresses, languages, and customs differ across India.
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Visitors immediately notice this richness.
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Population and Diversity:
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India has more than 1.4 billion people, making it the world’s most diverse democratic country.
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Such a large population naturally leads to cultural variety.
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The People of India Project:
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Conducted by the Anthropological Survey of India.
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Surveyed 4,635 communities across all states.
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Recorded 325 languages and 25 scripts.
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Found that many Indians live away from their original regions — showing movement and mixing of cultures.
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Unity in Diversity:
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Despite thousands of differences, Indians share common traditions, emotions, and values.
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The phrase “Many in the One” means that India’s oneness is made up of its many parts.
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💬 Explanation of Vincent Smith’s Quote:
🪶 Moral/Theme:
India’s diversity is not a problem but a source of beauty and strength. People may look, speak, and live differently, yet they share a common identity as Indians.
🗂️ Keywords:
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Diversity: Variety or differences among people or things.
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Unity: Togetherness or oneness despite differences.
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Migration: Movement of people from one place to another.
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Anthropological Survey of India: Government organization studying people and cultures.
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Scripts: Systems of writing used for languages.
🍚 Food for All
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Common Grains and Pulses (Unity):
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Cereals: Rice, wheat, barley.
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Millets: Bajra (pearl millet), Jowar (sorghum), Ragi (finger millet).
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Pulses: Moong dal, Arhar dal, Masoor dal, Chana dal, Rajma, Lobia, Gram.
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Common Spices:
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Turmeric (haldi), Cumin (jeera), Cardamom (elaichi), Ginger (adrak).
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Used in every part of India — they give Indian cuisine its distinct aroma and flavour.
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Common Vegetables and Oils:
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Though not listed in detail, many vegetables and oils (like mustard, coconut, or groundnut oil) are used throughout India — but in different combinations.
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Diversity in Dishes:
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Each state or region has its own way of cooking and choice of spices.
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Example: Rice and dal may appear everywhere, but the preparation of khichdi, sambar, dal fry, or rajma chawal shows regional differences.
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Conclusion:
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Same ingredients (unity) → different combinations and dishes (diversity).
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This reflects India’s cultural richness and creativity.
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🪶 Moral / Central Idea:
Indian cuisine beautifully shows how oneness and variety go hand in hand. Food connects the country through shared tastes, even though each region adds its own special touch.
📘 In-text Activity (LET’S EXPLORE):
1. As a class activity, make a list of ingredients (grains, spices, etc.) that are used in your home.2. Take any one vegetable and think of the number of different dishes you can prepare with it.
✅ Answer Ideas:
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Common ingredients at home:
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Rice, wheat flour, moong dal, turmeric, salt, oil, cumin, onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, and chili powder.
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These are used in almost every Indian home, showing unity.
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One vegetable – many dishes:
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Example: Potato (Aloo) → aloo curry, aloo paratha, aloo fry, samosa filling, aloo tikki, dum aloo, aloo chaat, etc.
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This shows diversity — one ingredient, many recipes.
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🗂️ Keywords:
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Staple grains: Main food items commonly eaten (like rice, wheat, dal).
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Millets: Small-seeded grains grown in dry areas (like bajra, jowar, ragi).
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Pulses: Edible seeds of legume plants (like lentils and beans).
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Spices: Substances used to flavor food.
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Unity in diversity (in food): Same ingredients, different recipes and tastes.
🌾 Example for “Unity in Diversity” (Food):
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North India → Chapati, dal, sabzi
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South India → Rice, sambar, rasam
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East India → Rice and fish curry
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West India → Bajra roti, dal, thepla
👉 All regions use grains and pulses, but prepare them differently — that’s unity in diversity through food.
👗 Textiles and Clothing
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Regional Styles:
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Every region and community in India has its own dress styles.
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Materials used differ — cotton, silk, wool, or synthetics.
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Common Traditional Dress – The Sari:
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Worn in most parts of India.
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A plain length of cloth (usually 5–9 metres).
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Made from cotton, silk, or synthetic fabric.
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Symbol of unity — same garment across India.
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Symbol of diversity — hundreds of varieties, colours, weaves, and draping styles.
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Famous Types of Silk Saris:
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Banarasi – Uttar Pradesh
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Kanjivaram – Tamil Nadu
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Paithani – Maharashtra
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Patola – Gujarat
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Muga – Assam
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Mysore – Karnataka
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Cotton Saris:
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Produced in all regions using different weaving and dyeing methods.
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Weaving & Designing:
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Designs may be woven into the cloth or printed later.
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Colours come from natural pigments or modern dyes.
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Each region has a unique weaving tradition (example: ikat, block-printing, tie-and-dye, embroidery).
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Historical Evidence:
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Stone relief from Vaishali (Bihar) shows a woman in a sari — proves sari existed even in ancient times.
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Economic Importance:
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India was once famous worldwide for cotton textiles.
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Indian printed cotton “chintz” became very popular in 17th-century Europe.
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To protect their industries, England and France banned the import of Indian chintz.
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Different Draping Styles:
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The sari is draped in various ways across India — e.g., Nivi style (Andhra), Bengali, Maharashtrian, Coorgi, and tribal styles.
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New ways are still being created.
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Though worn differently, it remains the same piece of clothing — one sari, many forms.
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Multiple Uses of the Sari:
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Besides being a dress, women use it for several purposes:
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Carrying children,
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Covering the head,
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Carrying bundles,
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Acting as a towel or bag,
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Protecting from sun or dust, etc.
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📘 LET’S EXPLORE (Page 129)
Question: Explain how the example of the sari reflects both unity and diversity (in 100–150 words).
📘 DON’T MISS OUT (Page 129)
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India’s fine cotton was world-famous.
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Printed cotton called chintz became so popular in Europe that it hurt European cloth sales.
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To protect their own industries, England and France banned Indian chintz imports in the 17th century.
📘 LET’S EXPLORE (Page 130)
Question: In the above pictures, can you recognise what a sari has been used for?Also: Are you aware of, or can you imagine, more uses for the sari?
Answer Ideas:
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The pictures show women using a sari as:
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A baby sling,
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A covering cloth,
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A towel or wrap,
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A carrier for goods,
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A head cover or veil.
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More uses may include:
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As a curtain, bedsheet, or bag,
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For storing grains or clothes.
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📘 Next Activity (Page 131)
Question: Following the example of the sari, make a list of different styles you have seen for the dhoti — both as regards the fabric and the uses the dhoti can be put to. What conclusion can you draw?
Answer Ideas:
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Different styles: Bengali style, Tamil (veshti), Maharashtrian, Rajasthani, North Indian style.
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Fabrics: Cotton, silk, hand-loom.
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Uses: Everyday wear, religious functions, dance costumes, and weddings.
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Conclusion: The dhoti, like the sari, shows India’s unity in diversity — one garment worn differently across the country.
🗂️ Keywords
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Weaving: Interlacing threads to make cloth.
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Relief: A raised design carved on stone or other material.
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Pigments: Natural substances used for colouring.
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Chintz: Printed cotton fabric from India, once famous worldwide.
🎉 Festivals Galore
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Diversity of Festivals:
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India celebrates an immense variety of festivals throughout the year.
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Each state, region, or community has its own festivals, customs, and rituals.
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Common Festivals Across India:
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Some festivals are celebrated across the country around the same time but have different names and customs.
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These show unity (same spirit or occasion) and diversity (different local forms).
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Example – Makara Sankrānti:
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Marks the beginning of the harvest season and the movement of the Sun into Capricorn (Makara Rāśi).
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Celebrated every year on or around 14 January.
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Farmers give thanks for the harvest and pray for prosperity.
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Different Regional Names (shown on the map in Fig. 8.5):
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Makara Sankranti / Sankraat / Sankramana / Vilakku – Central & South India
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Pongal – Tamil Nadu
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Magh Bihu – Assam
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Uttarayan – Gujarat
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Lohri / Maghi – Punjab & Haryana
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Khichdi Parv – Uttar Pradesh & Bihar
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Poush Songkranti – Bengal
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Pedda Panduga – Andhra Pradesh
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Shishur Saenkraat – Jammu & Kashmir
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Cultural Variations:
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Different food items, songs, dances, and rituals, but common themes of gratitude, renewal, and community celebration.
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Example:
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Pongal involves cooking the first rice of the new harvest.
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Lohri has bonfires and folk songs.
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Magh Bihu features feasting and community games.
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Seasonal and Regional Links:
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All these festivals are connected with agriculture and solar changes.
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They occur during the winter-to-spring transition.
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📘 LET’S EXPLORE (Page 132)
Q 1. What is your favourite festival and how is it celebrated in your region?Q 2. Do you know whether it is celebrated in any other part of India, maybe under a different name?
✅ Answer Ideas:
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Example: Diwali – celebrated with lights, sweets, and crackers in most parts of India.
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In Bengal, it coincides with Kali Puja; in South India, some regions link it with Naraka Chaturdashi; in Gujarat, it marks the new year.
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Shows unity of joy and light, diversity in rituals.
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📘 Next Activity (Page 133)
During October–November, many major festivals take place in India. Make a list of a few main ones and their various names in different parts of the country.
✅ Answer Ideas:
| Festival | Region / Name | Main Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Diwali / Deepavali | All India | Festival of lights |
| Durga Puja / Navratri / Dussehra | Bengal, Gujarat, North India | Worship of Goddess Durga / Victory of good over evil |
| Kali Puja | Bengal, Assam | Worship of Goddess Kali |
| Bhai Dooj / Bhau Beej | North & West India | Celebration of brother-sister bond |
| Chhath Puja | Bihar, Jharkhand, U.P. | Worship of Sun God |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Punjab & Sikh communities | Birth anniversary of Guru Nanak |
🗂️ Keywords
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Harvest Festival: Celebration marking gathering of crops.
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Solar Festival: Linked to movement of the Sun.
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Customs / Rituals: Traditional practices of worship and celebration.
📖 An Epic Spread
🔹 Main Points
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Indian Literature – Example of Unity in Diversity:
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Indian literatures are extremely diverse — different languages, scripts, and styles.
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Yet, they share common themes, values, and stories, showing unity.
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Literature connects people through shared culture and morals.
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The Pañchatantra:
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A famous collection of stories originally written in Sanskrit more than 2,200 years ago.
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Stories mainly feature animals as characters that teach moral lessons and life skills.
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It has been translated and adapted into almost every Indian language.
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Also spread to Southeast Asia, the Arab world, and Europe.
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Around 200 adaptations exist in more than 50 languages.
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Represents “one collection, many versions” — perfect example of unity in diversity.
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The Two Great Epics:
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The Rāmāyaṇa and The Mahābhārata — long Sanskrit epics that have shaped Indian culture.
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Together, their original versions fill around 7,000 pages.
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Both tell stories of heroes who fight to re-establish dharma (righteousness).
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The Mahābhārata:
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Story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, who are cousins.
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With the help of Krishna, the Pandavas fight for justice and truth to regain their kingdom.
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Teaches moral lessons — what is right and wrong, justice, loyalty, duty.
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The Rāmāyaṇa:
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Story of Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana.
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Ravana, the demon king, kidnaps Sita. Rama, with the help of Hanuman, defeats Ravana.
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Symbol of victory of good over evil, devotion, and duty.
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Folk and Regional Versions:
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For over 2,000 years, both epics have been translated, retold, and adapted in different Indian languages.
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There are countless local and tribal versions — every region tells the story in its own way.
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Example: In Tamil Nadu alone, about 100 folk versions of the Mahābhārata have been found.
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Tribal Connections:
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Many tribal communities (like the Bhils, Gonds, Mundas, and tribes from Northeast and Himalayan regions) have their own versions.
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Tribes believe the Pandavas or Rama passed through their regions.
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Folk songs, carvings, and rituals keep these legends alive.
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Example: “Pañcha Pāṇḍavar” carved stone in Nilgiri forests (Tamil Nadu), maintained by Irula tribals to commemorate the Pandavas.
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K.S. Singh’s Observation:
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Anthropologist K.S. Singh, who directed the People of India Project, noted:
“There is hardly a place in the country which the epic heroes such as the Pandavas did not visit according to folklores.”
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Meaning: Almost every region connects its local culture to the epics.
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Cultural Impact:
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The Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata created a cultural web uniting all of India and parts of Asia.
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Their values, morals, and characters are shared through language, art, music, dance, and storytelling.
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Indian Classical Arts:
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Architecture, dance, painting, sculpture, and theatre often depict scenes from these epics.
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They show both diversity in style and unity in inspiration.
🖼️ Fig. 8.6 (Page 134) – Painting
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Depicts a major episode from the Rāmāyaṇa (18th century, Himachal Pradesh).
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Likely represents Rama’s battle against Ravana or the rescue of Sita.
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Illustrates how artists from different regions interpreted the same story in their own unique styles.
📘 LET’S EXPLORE (Page 134)
In a class discussion, try to identify the episode depicted in the painting shown in Fig. 8.6 above and important details associated with it.
✅ Answer Ideas:
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The painting shows Rama fighting Ravana with the help of Lakshmana and Hanuman.
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Important details: Ravana with ten heads, Sita in the Ashok Vatika, and Rama using his divine bow.
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The picture illustrates good (Rama) defeating evil (Ravana).
🪶 Fig. 8.7 (Page 135) – Pañcha Pāṇḍavar Stone
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Found in Nilgiri forests, Tamil Nadu.
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Carved stone representing five Pandava brothers.
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Maintained by Irula tribals as a local shrine.
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Shows how the epics are linked even with tribal traditions.
🗂️ Keywords
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Epic: A long poem narrating heroic adventures and moral lessons.
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Dharma: Moral duty, righteousness.
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Folklore: Traditional stories passed down orally.
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Adaptation: A retelling of an original story in a new form or language.
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Anthropologist: A person who studies human societies and cultures.
🪷 Before We Move On…
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India’s Immense Diversity
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India has great diversity in landscapes, people, languages, dresses, foods, festivals, and customs.
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Every region adds its own colour and richness to Indian life.
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Underlying Unity
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Beneath visible differences, there exists a deep sense of unity.
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Shared values, traditions, and emotions bind Indians together.
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This unity gives strength to the nation.
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Celebrating Diversity
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India does not reject diversity — it celebrates it.
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Diversity is seen as enrichment, not division.
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The Indian idea of culture encourages respect and harmony among differences.
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Cultural Message
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True unity means accepting and valuing variety.
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India’s identity lies in being many yet one — “Many in the One.”
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📘 Questions, Activities, and Projects
🟣 Q1. Conduct a class discussion on the two quotations at the start of the chapter.
Answer Ideas:
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Tagore’s quote: Emphasizes harmony between “one” and “many” — joy of unity among differences.
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Sri Aurobindo’s quote: Explains that unity in diversity is India’s natural spirit (Swabhava) and duty (Swadharma).
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Together, they express India’s cultural philosophy of balance between individuality and oneness.
🟣 Q2. Select a few stories from the Pañchatantra and discuss how their message is still valid today. Do you know of any similar stories from your region?
Answer Ideas:
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Example stories: “The Monkey and the Crocodile,” “The Blue Jackal,” “The Lion and the Clever Rabbit.”
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Messages: Wisdom, cleverness, honesty, and kindness are always valuable.
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Regional connection: Similar moral tales exist in every language — like Tenali Rama stories (South India), Akbar-Birbal tales (North India), or local folk stories — showing shared human values.
🟣 Q3. Collect a few folk tales from your region and discuss their message.
Answer Ideas:
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Example: Stories of village gods, brave heroes, or wise animals.
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Messages usually teach truth, courage, respect for elders, and cooperation.
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These tales are part of local heritage and connect with India’s moral tradition.
🟣 Q4. Is there any ancient story that you have seen being depicted through a form of art? It could be a sculpture, a painting, a dance performance, or a movie. Discuss with your classmates.
Answer Ideas:
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Examples:
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Ramayana shown in classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam or Kathakali.
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Mahabharata scenes in temple sculptures or TV serials.
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Modern films like “Raavan” or “Sita Ramam” retell ancient themes.
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Shows how old stories remain alive through different art forms — unity of tradition in diverse expressions.
🟣 Q5. Discuss in class the following quotation by Jawaharlal Nehru:
“Everywhere I found a cultural background which had exerted a powerful influence on their lives…The old epics of India, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and other books, in popular translations and paraphrases, were widely known among the masses…Illiterate villagers would know hundreds of verses by heart and their conversation would be full of references to them.”
Answer Ideas:
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Nehru observed that even uneducated villagers knew stories from the epics.
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These stories shaped people’s daily thinking and speech.
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The Ramayana and Mahabharata united people across India through common moral values.
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Proves how literature created a shared cultural foundation despite differences in language or literacy.
🗂️ Keywords
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Swabhava: One’s true nature or character.
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Swadharma: One’s duty or righteous conduct.
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Epics: Long heroic poems teaching moral values.
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Cultural unity: Common heritage linking diverse people.
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