Bharat is an ancient land famous for its brave people, rich heritage, and natural beauty. It is blessed with high mountains, flowing rivers, and lush green forests. People from many different backgrounds live together peacefully, showing the true spirit of unity in diversity to the whole world.
Through the Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat programme, school children discover the colourful arts and crafts of different states. Four children describe their regional traditions. Urmi from Uttarakhand shares Aipan, a beautiful floor and wall art created by women using white rice paste on red clay surfaces. Priyaranjan from Odisha describes Dhokra, an ancient tribal craft that is four thousand years old. In this craft, figures are shaped using clay and wax before molten brass is poured into the moulds.
Next, Chitra from Kerala talks about coconut shell craft. Skilled craftspeople clean, shape, and polish hard coconut shells to create useful bowls and jewellery. This craft is completely biodegradable and does not harm nature. From Andhra Pradesh, Balamurali explains the art of making Kondapalli toys, which has been practised for over four hundred years. Villagers carve soft wood, join the parts with a paste made of tamarind seed powder and sawdust, and paint them with bright colours depicting village life and animals.
Finally, the chapter highlights Muruja, a traditional floor art of Odisha drawn during festivals using natural powders made from turmeric, leaves, and red clay. Learning about these varied artistic traditions helps students appreciate the rich culture of Bharat and strengthens the bond of brotherhood across the country.