The state of Karnataka is always revered when it comes to linguistic diversity, art and varied culture that makes it more united and deeply beautiful. The Art of Karnataka is renowned all around the world for its minute detailing and unmatchable precision. Such forms of art are nicely preserved in the best ways possible. This blog is centered at one such form of art which is known as Chitrakathi which has a historic background that needs attention in the present era. The Chitrakathi art originated in the little village called Pinguli in the district of Sindhudurg, Maharashtra.
Years ago, the Chitrakathi tradition of storytelling attracted a huge number of local people in regions. This also included the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, as well as parts of Andhra Pradesh.
To understand the significance of this artistic heritage that has been part of our culture since ancient times, we must delve deeper into its world.
The word ‘Chitra’ literally means pictures whereas ‘katha’ refers to a form of a story. Chitrakathi art involves the oral narration of tales, while simultaneously, the images of the scenes are shown in hand-painted pictures. This sort of performance is common in various parts of the country in the form of large painted panels and long scrolls.
Chitrakathi art depicted historic, mystical, and religious events in fine details in the form of small images. Today, it only exists in some parts of the states due to the commitment and loyalty of the people towards their heritage practice.
Natural colors derived from organic sources are used to paint on handmade papers. The size of the paper was based on the visual preferences of the village audience, and was, thus, standardized. The artists use a bundle or ‘pothi’ comprising 50 paintings to narrate the tale. Religious stories from mythology as well as tales from the epics, like Mahabharata and Ramayana, are depicted. Bold brush strokes, that resemble the art on the Leather Shadow puppets of Telangana, dominate the canvas of Chitrakathi art.
The Sutradhar, or the narrator of the tales, utilize these pictures according to their relevance. These performances form an extravaganza of attractive music and songs. First, these songs are written and set according to the narrative. Then, the paintings are made to support the tale of the performance. The orchestra of Tuntuna, string instrument Vina, and percussion instrument Huduk combine the harmony of Chitrakathi performances.
Gawde Wada, located in the Sindhudurg district, is renowned for its Chitrakathi painting done on the wall, six feet above the ground. The Wada, or the locality, has a small temple which is considered to be the location where Chitrakathi performers of ancient times narrated their stories.
Parshuram Gangawane revamped their old cowshed to fashion it into a museum displaying an array of brilliant Chitrakathi art. Here, they sell these pieces of art and other merchandise. A special place for puppets is also reserved in this little Chitrakathi museum.
In the culture and art sphere, many seminars, workshops, and training and orientation programs have been organized to spread awareness about Chitrakathi art. The government as well as educational institutions have also aided many such organizations. Scholarship programs and other financial assistance have been provided to those who have ventured to preserve the heritage of Chitrakathi art.
Chitrakathi art is not quite popular amongst the mainstream masses. However, with such efforts, many later generations have been educated about this artistic expression of India.
The overwhelming influence of foreign lands due to globalization has, unfortunately, considerably affected the folk art forms of India. Even the changing lifestyle of the rural people does not generate adequate audiences for these traditions. Although under patronage and sufficient aid Chitrakathi art has the potential to persevere onward, no significant leaps have been witnessed.
An Average Tanzania Safari Cost with basic accommodations such as tents or budget hotels starts at $200 per person, per day. A Mid-Range Tanzania Safari with lodging runs $350 to $400 per person, per day while a high-end luxury safari ranges from $600 to about $1000 per person, per day.Â
Just remember, this does not include international flights, visa fees, vaccinations, travel insurance, and other incidentals.
However, a Tanzania Safari Cost can go up with the number of days you want to spend, the number of people you are with, and the type of accommodation and mode of transport you are looking for.Â
So, how can you estimate the Average Cost Of Tanzania Safari?
Table of Contents
Tanzania Safari Preferences Cost
Tanzania Safari Categories Price
National Parks Entry Fees
Cost Of Safari Activities
Season-Wise Safari Cost
Accommodation Price
Tanzania Safari Tipping Costs
Some Additional Costs Of The Tanzania Safari
Calculating The Average Safari Cost To Tanzania
Final Money-Saving Tip For Travelling In Tanzania
Plan Safaris In Tanzania With A Perfect Budget!
Tanzania Safari Preferences Cost
1. Tanzania Safari Categories PriceÂ
In a nutshell, Tanzanian Safari Cost can be split into three tiers:
Budget Safaris – about $200 per day in famous national parks like Ngorongoro Crater.Â
Mid-Range Safaris – about $500 per person per day in famous national parks like Serengeti.
Luxury Safaris – around $500 – $750 per person per day in famous national parks like Serengeti and Selous Game Reserve.
2. National Parks Entry Fees ($10 –$100 Per Person Per Day)
Let’s know about the entrance fees of various National Parks and Game Reserves in Tanzania.
3. Cost of Safari Activities ($40-$4000 Per Person Per Day)
Tanzania is home to a lot of safari activities like game drives, Hot Air Balloon safaris and many more.
Let’s have a look at the most interesting safari activities and its price:
Safari Activities
Approximate Cost (Person/Day)
Guided walking SafarisÂ
$40 – $160
Night Game Drives
$55 – $60
Hot Air Balloon SafariÂ
$550 – $650
Birding SafariÂ
$400 – $600
Wildebeest Migration SafariÂ
$60-$3805
Cultural Tours
$40 – $60
Boat / Canoe Rides
$40-$60
Note that, the famous 4WD vehicle safari is included in your Tanzania Safari Packages and these optional activities are completely your choice to do and pay accordingly.Â
4. Season-Wise Safari Cost ($250 – $2690 Per Person Per Day)
Here we have mentioned the complete Tanzania Safari Cost according to the time of the year in average.
Time Of The Year
Camping Safari/Night
Mid-Range Safari/Night
Luxury Safari/Night
Green Season (April – May)
$250 – $385
$450 – $495
$550 – $2500
Shoulder Season (Jan – Mar & June – Oct)
$260 – $365
$480 – $560
$900 – $2400
Peak Season
(July – Oct)
$250 – $380
$495 – $690
$990 – $2690
5. Accommodation Price (from $195 – $990 Per Person Per Day)
According to the luxury and the wildlife experiences, travellers can find out several accommodation facilities in Tanzania. Let’s have a look at those with price ranges….
A basic budget camping safari in Tanzania costs approximately $195-350 USD per person per day.
A 3-star lodge or hotel in Tanzania costs approximately $490 USD per person per day.
A 4-star lodge or hotel in Tanzania costs approximately $690 USD per person per day.
A 5-star lodge or hotel in Tanzania costs approximately $990 USD per person per day.
6. Tanzania Safari Tipping Costs ($15-$25 Per Person Per Day)
During Safaris In Tanzania, you will be served by your driver/ guide and cook/chef depending on the type of safari you choose. If you have a tented camp safari you will only be accompanied by a driver/guide. Let’s see how much you should tip during your Tanzania Safari.
Tanzania Safari Guide/Driver – From $15 – $25 per person per day but you can tip more if you want.
Cook – Between $15 – $25 per person per day but you can tip more as per your wish.
Mountain Guide – $25 per person per day, you can also tip more according to your pocket.
Porter – $15 per person per day, you can also tip more if you want.
How Much Do You Cost For A Week’s Stay In Tanzania?
One week’s stay in Tanzania is preferable for exploring this African country on a budget and the Tanzania Travel Cost will be:
Some Additional Costs Of The Tanzania SafariÂ
There are some other things that also come into your budget while on a Safari To Tanzania. Here are these –Â
Flights To Tanzania Costs –Â
Visa Fee (Around $100 Per Person) – Tanzania e-visa can be used both for Tanzania and Zanzibar tours. For nationalists, a visa costs $50 with a validity of 90 days while for U.S. citizens the visa costs $100 with a validity of 12c months. For South African Citizenship there is no need for a visa to Visit Tanzania.
Travel Insurance (Around $100 Per Person) –Remember to have travel insurance while your safari to Tanzania. It must cover theft, sickness, any kind of accident, etc. and also cover your whole stay in the country. Tanzania Safari Travel Insurance costs approximately $100 per person.
Food And Drinks In Tanzania –GenerallyFood and drinks are provided by the travel operator whom you choose to plan your safari. You are provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner on your planned Safaris To Tanzania.
If you buy additionally, a bottle of water in Tanzania costs around 606.32 TZS (0.30$) and a soft drink is around 1,259.28 TZS (0.50$) when you buy it from a supermarket. A beer would cost you around 3,614.60 TZS (1.60$) when you buy it from a bar.
Calculating The Average Safari Cost To Tanzania
Based on the above, we can estimate the average cost of a Tanzania Safari.
Final Money-Saving Tip For Travelling In Tanzania
One of the easiest ways to save money on a Tanzania Safari is to travel in a group. The Cost of various factors is fixed, such as transportation and accommodation etc. By having more in the budget, you can split the costs and reduce the per-person price significantly.
It is more cost-effective for saving money than one person travelling alone with luxury means!
Still, African Scenic Safaris prefer luxury safari packages, which will give you real insights into Tanzania.
Plan A Safari To Tanzania With A Perfect Budget!
Wisely Invest in your Safari In Tanzania in terms of your budget & time, you owe it to yourself to plan properly and get this right. Alternatively, make use of African Scenic Safaris!
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal preferences, when you’d like to travel, how long you’d like to stay, who you’d be travelling with, what accommodation you’d prefer, how you’d like to get around, what safari experiences you’d like to include, and more.
Just contact us! Our Tanzania Safari Price is complimentary and obligation-free. Our team is an expert in designing your dream safaris and we look forward to working with you.
Arunachal Pradesh is a land of tribal communities. Owing to the number of tribes in the state, the cultural diversification and richness of Arunachal Pradesh are insane. Folk dances are a great way of showcasing one’s culture. People of Arunachal Pradesh have immense love for dance and are well-known for their joyous nature. Folk dances performed during festive occasions and moments of happiness depict the emotions and gratitude of the people. The folk dances represent the socio-cultural heritage and robust value system of the tribal lineages in the state. Â
Arunachal Pradesh Folk Dances Classification
Folk dances of Arunachal Pradesh may be divided into four distinct types, each of which is naturally performed for a variety of purposes. The following are the details:
Festive Dance Shows are mostly celebration-oriented folk dances performed on specific occasions.
Ritualistic Dance is a style of traditional dance performed with zeal in Arunachal Pradesh and based on particular ceremonies.
3, Recreational dance is something that people do in their leisure time. These dances are not part of any ceremony or festival, but they are done on special occasions to create a pleasant and joyous atmosphere.
Pantomimes are a type of dance drama that depicts a mythical narrative with a message.
Ponung dance is a prominent and widely practised traditional art form in India’s Arunachal Pradesh state. It is the Adis community’s traditional folk dance, which is noted for its rich cultural way of life. Because of this Ponung, which is a dynamic dance accompanied by mesmerising tunes, the Adi hamlet and its indigenous inhabitants have grown in prominence. It is shown at the festival that takes place prior to the harvest. This dance is only done on auspicious and important occasions. The performance attracts a large number of visitors from all across the country. Ponung is a female-only dance that is performed in a group setting. Young married ladies, as well as young girls, can perform it. A Miri, a guy skilled in mythological songs about the origins of rice and other crops, leads the dancing performance. The females form a circle and dance in it while holding each other.Â
The dancers use ethnic clothing, which adds colour to their performance. The outfit consists mostly of a long skirt and Kurti. The basic colours used in the design of the skirt and Kurti are black, red, and blue. They also wear traditional heavy jewellery such as a necklace and an earring. Their hair is carefully tucked into a bun. On rare occasions, the contestants don an ethnic headpiece.
Women from every family offer a vessel of rice beer produced traditionally at home to their elder brother, sister, son-in-law, guest, etc. on the joyful occasion of Dree as a token of love and affection. The receiver, in turn, presents them with a slice of bacon or roasted meat. Dancing and musical tunes play a significant role in festivals and other happy occasions. In reality, the Apatani tribes execute a variety of traditional dances, including Daminda and Pakhu Ittu, which are very popular. ‘Daminda,’ the tribe’s most popular traditional and folk song, is connected with the Dree celebration and is sung by the community’s women and children. Daminda is a traditional song that describes the magnificence of former Apatanis.
Among the Wancho tribe’s members, the Ozele celebration is immensely popular. It is traditionally observed in the months of February and March. It is observed following the seeding of millets. Between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., the dance is generally performed in the village chief’s residence. Males of various ages, as well as young married ladies, take part in the dance. Male dancers execute the dance first, followed by female dancers once the guys have left the stage. During the performance, the men dancers hold swords in their right hands. From the waist, a cane basket drapes over the dancers’ buttocks. Male dancers use white or blue loincloths, while female dancers wear vividly coloured loincloths.
The fertility dance and ritual dance are performed by the Idu Mishmi people of Arunachal Pradesh. On the last day of the Rren ritual, the fertility dance is frequently performed. The Mesalah, Rren, Ai-him, and Ai-ah rites are presided over by the priest and priestesses. Drums are generally heard accompanying the dances.
The priests are dressed in loincloths, short-sleeved jackets, beaded necklaces, a leather bag slung over the right shoulder, a sword, cowry studded headbands, necklaces studded with tiger teeth, and a few metal bells. Mishmi skirts, beaded necklaces, and short-sleeved clothing are worn by the priestess. The dance is frequently accompanied by horn bugles and drums.
The dance is alternately performed by the priest and the priestess. During the performance, there are several dancing movements to choose from. The dancers are chosen from within the audience, in addition to the priest and priestess.
Buiya and Nuiya are two types of dance performed by the Digaru Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Nuiya is a ceremonial dance, whereas Buiya is an entertaining dance.
Buiya dance is done during Tazampu, Duiya, and Tanuya, among other occasions. The aforementioned festivals are generally held for the community’s health and prosperity. Male dancers are typically dressed in loincloths, sleeveless jackets, turbans, and earrings. Long skirts, blouses, and side purses are worn by female performers. The dancers form a line in a passage, one behind the other. One of the dancers is a drummer, while the other is a gong player. Depending on availability, another dancer may also play the cymbals. The dancers do numerous moves to these beats. They take one step forward with their right foot, then softly bring their left foot up to the heel of their left foot while flexing their knees as previously. The dance is repeated until it reaches the back of the passage by repeating this series of motions. As a result, they dance up and down the house’s corridor. The dancers may sing solo or in a chorus when they sing a song. During this time, there is usually no movement.
The Kamptis, who are Buddhists, conduct a variety of dance performances representing historical traditions and legendary tales. On the occasions of Khamsang, Sankian, and Potwah, these dance plays are commonly performed. They depict the festival’s entertainment component. The villagers send out invitations to the performance’s drama party. The dance-drama rehearsals begin approximately a month before the festival and are usually held in a monastery or any other location of their choosing. The drama is then performed in the front courtyard or any suitable open place near the dwellings. This dance is accompanied by musical instruments such as gogs and cymbals. Women are rarely visible in theatre performances, thus men dressed in women’s clothing fulfil feminine parts. Following the performances, the party is awarded a monetary reward. They use this money to buy the costumes and masks that ar used in the dramas. If there are surpluses, they are shared by all participants of the theatre.
The Rikhampada folk dance is one of the most lively and glorified folk dances of the state. The parent tribes of this dance are the famous Nyishi tribes which belong to the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. The largest tribe of the state, the Nyishi tribe, performs this dance at the famous Nyokum festival. The history of the origination of the Rikhampada Dance suggests that the Abotanis introduced this dance to the Nyishi tribes.Â
8. Ka Fifai Dance-Drama
The Ka Fifai is also a dance-drama that depicts the kidnapping of a man’s daughter by spirits while wandering through the garden. The drama goes on to describe how the King’s ministers plot and carry out the girl’s rescue from the grasp of the spirits.
9. Sadinuktso (Akas)
The Sadinuktso dance is extremely famous among Akas tribal people. It is practiced practically every time the tribe gathers. It is particularly common during weddings or the construction of a new home. A group of guys and girls individually performs the dance. The main dance is performed alternately by a member from each group until all of the dancers have finished.
Arunachal Pradesh is the ideal destination for those seeking rejuvenation and quiet in the Himalayas. Apart from its magnificent natural beauty, this land’s rich and distinct culture is what makes it absolutely beautiful. Arunachal Pradesh is a proud state in India that is still keeping its traditional culture and customs in today’s increasingly westernized world. Arunachal Pradesh’s inhabitants rely heavily on dance and music in their daily lives. It’s amazing to see how far Arunachal Pradesh’s traditional dances have continued to progress.
Punjab is home to one of the world’s oldest and most diverse cultures, which is reflected in every manner. They are hearty people who celebrate every festival and festival with zeal. Their families hold celebrations all around the world and invite others to participate in their culture. Thus they are loved all throughout the world, which comes as no surprise.Punjabi Culture is surrounded by vibrant colours and high-spirited people who best express themselves via their traditional attire. The traditional dresses of Punjab seamlessly combine elements of design, comfort, and colour.
Phulkari, which means “flower craft,” is rooted in Punjabi tradition, which dates back to the 15th century. Its vibrant colours, embroidered in a way that tells volumes about women’s dress preferences. The creative craft of needlework first emerged in Waris Shah’s tear-jerking love novel Heer-Ranjha, and it hasn’t modified its technique since then. This cloth is worn by women of all ages and social backgrounds, and it depicts their lives through the various colours woven into it. Punjabi women weave traditional Phulkari embroidery on shawls, Kurtas, Dupattas, and Lehengas with eye-catching blends of exquisite patterns on all occasions.
Punjabi ghagra is a traditional Punjabi dress that has been modified to include modern components and to appear trendy and fashionable in line with current fashion trends. This traditional Punjabi clothing is made up of four pieces, and while it originated in Punjab, it is currently more popular in Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh.
Patiala Salwar
Image – Wikimedia
Patiala Salwar is a furled-up traditional Punjabi dress with baggy and pleated trousers that has its origins in Patiala. This Punjabi traditional outfit was once only worn by men, but it has since become a part of women’s clothing as well. Punjabi women are now more likely to wear it!
The Patiala salwar is typically worn with a Kurti and a chunni, with the draping done at the back. Punjabi traditional attire incorporates a variety of current designs while still maintaining the traditional element, which aids in achieving the correct balance of traditional and modern! Patiala Salwar is popular traditional clothing in Punjab since it is not only attractive but also quite comfortable to wear.
We can’t even think about women’s fashion without mentioning the lovely parandas! These braided hair accessories are made up of multicoloured threads and jewellery. Parandi were seen to be a symbol of affection and were generally given to brides by their husbands. Women wore parandis in the past to enhance their beauty and make their hair appear longer. Women’s long, lush hair is secured with these accessories, which are now available in a variety of colours and sizes!
Kaliras or Kalires are one of the most important pieces of traditional Punjabi jewellery that practically every bride wears at her wedding. These umbrella-shaped hangings are symbolic of the newlywed bride and groom’s eternal love and happiness. The coconut-like form is thought to represent a prayer that their home would never run out of food, while the metal in this Punjabi traditional jewellery represents prosperity and fortune. Friends, sisters, and cousins usually tie these gorgeous hangings around the bride’s hands to wish her luck for her new beginnings.
When it comes to dressing up in their Indian avatars, Punjabi traditional jewellery is an absolute must. The satlada haar is a popular piece of Punjabi traditional jewellery that is frequently worn by brides. This seven-layered piece features some one-of-a-kind jewels and diamonds. With their elaborate construction and delicate design, they are considered to illuminate feminism. They’re the perfect blend of ancient, historic, and fashionable!
Jhumkis
Image – Pinterest
Jhumkis are one of the most popular styles of jewellery, and they all have a fashionable and attractive appearance. Traditional Punjabi gems are still at the top of the list when it comes to ladies choosing their jewellery because of their contemporary and trendy stylish appeal. Among other things, Punjabi traditional jewellery has sophisticated themes, beautiful designs.
Jutti
For 400 years, Kings have worn the Jutti, also known as the Punjabi Jutti, which is traditionally embroidered on leather with actual gold or silver threads. One of the distinguishing characteristics of this handcrafted footwear is that it has neither left nor right sides and may be worn on any foot. It is the most comfortable and stylish flat-soled footwear worn by men and women in Punjab and is commonly seen during weddings and festivals. It has a lot of glitz and a lot of embroidery on it, and it’s full of Punjabi tradition.
Jama is a traditional Punjabi garment that was worn by males during the Mughal era. It’s a flared-up piece of fabric that’s snug around the waist. This long item, flares up like a skirt at the ankle or knees. The jama is frequently worn with a turban to represent monarchy, and it complements the monarchs’ magnificent demeanour. Originally intended for men, women are now seen wearing Jama with tight-fitting pyjamas. The long sleeves that are tied under the armpits distinguish this Punjabi traditional clothing. Punjabi traditional clothing allows people to move freely, making them feel tremendously at ease.
Kurta Pyjama
The popular Punjabi traditional outfit, kurta pyjama, consists of a long shirt and baggy pants. Kurtas are typically slit on both sides and feature long sleeves. The loose baggy pants (or pyjamas) have a drawstring that makes them easier to fasten. The kurta is frequently paired with a pair of jeans, a dhoti, or a lungi. This Punjabi traditional clothing is popular at festivals and comes in a variety of patterns and designs. It can also be worn as informal everyday wear, with collars and buttons on the kurta, and the length is usually below the knees. Pair the kurta with a little embroidered cotton jacket for a more sophisticated effect.
Pagri
Image Source
Pagri is a type of headwear worn by Sikh males. It’s also known as pag, and it’s a fabric winding technique. Men also wear a turban, which comes in a variety of colours, in addition to the typical Punjabi attire. Punjabis place a great deal of importance on their headpiece. Sikhs wear the turban, also known as dastar, to keep their long hair under control. The ‘Dastar Bandhi’ rite, which involves the tying of the first turban, is well-known at Golden Temple, the little child dons his turban for the first time.Â
Sarpech was a popular head adornment used by princes and monarchs in the past. By breaking down the phrase, sar refers to the head or front, and pech refers to the screw, we may deduce that the term sarpech refers to a portion that is screwed to the front of the turban. The basic structure of this Punjabi traditional jewellery is made out of a single sheet of metal and certain jewels put in a hollow structure. This Punjabi traditional jewellery is now primarily worn by men at weddings.
TehmatÂ
The tamba, also known as tehmat, is a Punjabi variation of the lungi with front folds that is worn by men in Punjab. The tamba is a piece of clothing worn by Bhangra dancers.
Although the use of the Punjabi tehmat has declined in recent years in East Punjab, with the pajamma taking its place, males can still be seen wearing it.
In West Punjab, Punjabi men can often be seen wearing the tamba or lungi.
Traditional attire exudes elegance. And Punjabi traditional wear and accessories, in their numerous varieties, tells volumes about the culture and custom that has been passed down for years.With the entry and blending of cultures and varied ways over the years, the traditional clothing of Punjabi suits has evolved. We hope you can reate unique outfits and flaunt them wonderfully with this list of ethnic wearing styles with a modern twist.
Punjab has one of the most ancient and diversified cultures on the globe. ‘Punj’ means five, and ‘ab’ means water, hence it’s known as the Land of Five Rivers. The five rivers that flow through this country are the Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, Ravi, and Jhelum, which divide it into three major parts called Doaba, Majha, and Malwa. Punjabi poetry, philosophy, spirituality, education, artwork, music, food, science, technology, military warfare, architecture, traditions, values, and history all reflect this diversity and distinctiveness. It’s difficult to overlook the compassion and zeal displayed in the Punjabi (Punjabis) way of life.Â
Punjab is a vast expanse of natural beauty and majesty. Its language is a valuable asset that is gaining widespread popularity across the country. Punjabi is the state’s official language, and it has a lot of similarities to Hindi. It is the world’s ninth most widely spoken language. The residents of West Punjab, on one hand, speak more Hindi than Punjabi, whilst the situation is reversed in East Punjab.
Gurmukhi, which is based on Devanagari, is the script used in Punjabi. It’s a fusion as well as a tonal language. It is a fusion language because it is formed by the merger of many morphemes (the smallest linguistic unit with semantic meaning). It has a tonal quality due to the fact that the tones identify the words. Punjabi borrows heavily from various languages such as Hindi, Persian, Urdu, and English in modern times. Punjabi has recently travelled to other parts of the world, where it has been adapted to fit the local lexicon.
Surprisingly, the Punjabi language has numerous dialects that have developed according to the place where the language is spoken. Bhattian, Malwai, Pahari, Doabi, Kangri, Hindko, Pothowari, Shahpuri, Rachnavi, Majhi, Thali, Thalochri, Chakwali, and Ghebi are some of the most important dialects. Hindi is a widely spoken and understood language in the state, with practically everyone speaking and understanding it fluently. Even English is a language that many people are familiar with. If you want to learn Punjabi, try Ling-app a great platform to learn the language with ease.
In India, Sikhism is the predominant religion in Punjab. It is the world’s fifth largest religion, founded by Guru Nanak Dev and other nine Gurus. Sikhism’s core belief is in “Waheguru,” which means “Universal God.” The religion believes that salvation can be attained by meditating on the Almighty in a disciplined and intimate manner. Sikhs revere the ten Gurus as well as the Holy Scripture Guru Granth Sahib, which is revered as the eleventh and final Guru. Monotheism and a non-anthropomorphic understanding of God are central to Sikhism. Volunteering and community service are seen as essential in a person’s life. The primary rule for leading one’s life is hard effort and sincere dedication. Gurdwaras, which are the Sikhs’ primary place of worship, exist in Punjab. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is a world-famous pilgrimage site that draws people from all over the world.
Though not as frequently practiced as Sikhism, Hinduism is an important religion in Punjab. In fact, it is the state’s second most widely practiced religion. Hindus live a liberal lifestyle, and the majority of them attend gurdwaras to worship. Islam is another prominent religion in Punjab, however it is practiced by just a small percentage of the population. The majority of Muslims in Punjab fled to Pakistan after the split in 1947. Despite the small population of Muslims in the state, there are a large number of mosques. Other minority religions in the state include Christianity, Jainism, and Buddhism.
In Punjab, women’s apparel is known as churidar kurta. The traditional attire is worn by women. Although it is a Punjabi traditional attire, it is currently worn by most young ladies across India with colourful Dupattas. The top portion is a kameez (a sort of loose shirt), while the bottom component is a salwar (a type of pant). In most cases, the dupatta is the same colour as the Salwar Kameez. Beautiful shawls created with Phulkari embroidery can also be seen on women.
In Punjab, the men’s traditional attire is the Kurta Pajama. The Kurta is a long-sleeved shirt with a straight cut. The pajamas are likewise loose and must be fastened around the waist. Few guys choose to wear a Kurta with a Tehmat or Lungi. Pagri or Pugg (Turban) is a religious turban worn by Sikhs in Punjab. Turbans are worn by men in a variety of hues depending on their attire. Jooti is the favored footwear, which has been worn by both men and women for many years.
Architecture of Punjab
HighonTravel.com: Punjabiyat
The Buddhist and Islamic forms of architecture had a huge influence on Punjab. Despite the fact that Sikhism is the most popular religion in Punjab, it does not have its own architectural style. It is a mix of Sufism in Islam and Hinduism. The Gurudwara is the Sikhs’ primary site of worship. The Mughal palace style of construction has been adopted by Sikhism’s followers. Even after independence, Punjab’s architecture has continued to grow. The Maurya Empire is responsible for some of Punjab’s earliest architectural examples. Following the Mughal invasion, Islamic architecture became a part of Punjab.
The Sikhs’ primary place of devotion is Amritsar’s, Golden Temple. Amritsar became the most important city for the Sikhs in the latter half of the 16th century. The Golden Temple was built in 1764, and when Ranjit Singh created the Sikh state in 1802, he plated the ceiling with gold, and what was previously known as the Hari Mandir became known as the Golden Temple. The primary structure is modest and sits in the middle of a tank, giving the impression that it is floating on water. The temple, its marble precincts, and the water in the tank all look to be pure, unique, and amazing. The primary structure is constructed in the late Mughal style. The open terrace-style Mughal garden inspired the Yadavindra garden in Pinjore. The garden’s central water channel is lined with chadars and fountains and runs through seven open terraces and pavilions.
Chandigarh, the state capital, is a fine example of twentieth-century architecture. The city is split into 47 sectors, with the capital complex and civic centre serving as the focal point. It is an excellent ‘garden city’ and a bible for architects because of its ordered design, broad roadways, and well-planned facilities with a modernist lean. Chandigarh has become a symbol of youth, and its residents are proud of the city’s status as a cutting-edge metropolis. Le Corbusier, a French architect and planner, was responsible for Chandigarh’s urban development. Chandigarh is unlike any other city in the world. Chandigarh’s terrace garden is a popular tourist destination. The large sun-screen and three-dimensional look, as well as the interior spaces, create an appropriately spectacular image while remaining true to traditional Indian architecture.
Handicrafts of Punjab
Source – Utsavpedia
Phulkari, as well as Pidhis, Jootis, Durries, and Parandis, are part of Punjab’s rich handicraft legacy. Phulkari, however, is the most well-known of them all. Many of the crafts are used as household items or ornamental objects in homes, and they reflect the state’s vibrant identity. Mud Works are also an indigenous Punjabi tradition. Women are primarily responsible for weaving durries, and they begin learning the craft as early as childhood. Durries are available in a variety of sizes and patterns here. In addition, the state produces a diverse range of trays, mirror frames, dressing tables, easy chairs, sofa sets, dining tables, and chairs, among other items. Another well-known Punjabi art is the gorgeous Punjabi dolls dressed in elegant gowns. The Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, who work in the city of Amritsar in the Punjab province of India, are known for their brass and copper workmanship, which is recognised on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Punjab, like the rest of India, celebrates a variety of festivals throughout the year. Each of these festivals is related with one or more religious tales. Punjabi folks believe in going all out for every festive event. Traditional music and folklore create the ideal environment for the celebration, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the infectious spirit of this incredibly intriguing state.
In Punjab, Baisakhi signifies the start of the “New Year ” . It is commemorated to recognise the hard labor of farmers by commemorating the ripening of the winter (rabi) harvest. Every year on the 13th of April, it commemorates a time of celebration and joy for the people of Punjab.
Punjab’s winter harvest festival, Lohri, is widely observed across the state. It is a fertility celebration that is linked to the worship of the God of Fire (Lord Agni). Lohri, according to the Hindu calendar, occurs on the 13th of January each year, when the earth is closest to the sun. Â
The name Hola Mohalla comes from the Punjabi word “Mohalla,” which refers to an organised parade in the style of an army column, complete with battle drums and standard-bearers. This event is held in grand style throughout Punjab, particularly at Muktsar and Anandpur Sahib.
Punjab is a theistic and devotional land. Gurus of the Sikh faith are honored throughout the state. Punjabis observe Gurpurab every year solely for the honor and respect of their gurus. Gurpurabs are intended to commemorate the Sikh Gurus’ birthdays or martyrdoms. In Punjab, however, there are a lot of gurpurabs.
Bhai dooj is observed on the second day after Diwali in the month of Kartik (October-November). This celebration also honours a brother’s and sister’s strong bond. To protect her brother from evil, his sister places a ‘tikka’ (mark) of saffron and rice grains on his forehead. There are hymns and prayers for a long life for my brother. As a show of his affection, the brother gives her gifts or money.
Teeyan is a women’s dance festival held in the month of Sawan. This festival features some of the top gidha performances. The celebration runs from the third lunar day of the month through the full moon, with a grand function on the last day.
Karwa Chauth is a fast by women that takes place in the months of October and November. Women participate in the celebration to pray for their husband’s long life. On this day, the Moon God is prayed to.
Dussehra is widely observed throughout Punjab, as it is in the rest of India. It commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, signifying the eternal triumph of Good over Evil.
Diwali is observed throughout Punjab in the months of October and November, with the exact date dictated by the lunar calendar. It is commemorated to mark Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after a fourteen-year exile. Every home in Punjab is illuminated with candles or diyas on this day.
Punjab is regarded for having one of India’s most diverse and expressive cultures, with music and dance playing a key role in exhibiting it. Punjabi dances are among the most energizing types of performance art you will ever see. The level of synchronicity in the dances is incredible.
Bhangra began as a springtime festival dance in Punjab villages, and has since grown into a worldwide craze. More than anything else, this dance has spread the name of Punjab across the globe. Bhangra has evolved significantly through time. Bhangra, traditionally, used to be a blend of fast-paced dance moves, songs, and musical instruments like the Dhol, iktar (a single-stringed instrument), and chimta. The songs that are performed in conjunction with the dance are usually about love, patriotism, or social causes. In today’s clubs and discos, Bhangra tunes mixed with hip hop or reggae are quite popular. The performers are dressed in a Kurta with a vest over it. They also wear colourful turbans that are well-made.
If you thought Bhangra was fantastic, Giddha will provide you with the same kind of experience. Giddha is a female-only specialty, similar to Bhangra. This dance is usually performed at important occasions such as weddings or festivals. ‘Viyagula Giddha’ is a type of Giddha that is done during weddings. The performers make a ring by standing in a circle. One woman sits in the ring’s centre, playing the Dhol. The finest part about the dance is that there are no strict restrictions that the dancers must follow. They dance to the beat of the music. The various stages in the lives of Punjabi women are depicted in Gidda.
Punjabi folk music has a lot of variety and is quite rhythmic. Dhoola and mahiya are prevalent forms in the western region, although the popular boli style is performed variably across the region. Punjabi music also includes vocals, as well as instruments such the dhol, tumbi, dhad sarangi, algoza, and Ektara. Punjabi folk idiom can provide insight into the lives and cultures of Punjabis. There is a large collection of music and songs commemorating birth, daily life, and death; songs of love and separation, dancing and joy; marriage, fulfilment, and disappointment. Punjab is separated culturally into three regions: Malwa, Majha, and Doaba. Today, Malwa embodies the authentic essence of Punjabi folklore.
The Punjabi fold idiom is incredibly rich, diverse, and adaptable. It is a wide culture of compassionate, big-hearted people who are free of fanaticism and restricted religious ideologies. The more we learn about the country’s folk music, the more difficult it gets to categories. However, one may be able to draw broad divides for each season, as each of the countless celebratory occasions that occur throughout the year has its own distinct music.
Punjabis are robust people with hearty appetites, and their food is simple, sizable quantities with no extraneous frills or exotic accompaniments, much like the Punjabis themselves. Punjabi tandoori cookery is widely regarded as one of the world’s most popular cuisines. Huge earthen ovens are half-buried in the ground and heated by a coal fire beneath them. This unique oven cooks marinated meat, chicken, fish, paneer, rotis, and naans of all varieties, and the results are incredibly delicious!
Some areas of Punjabi cuisine have been influenced by outside influences. The gravy component of Punjabi cuisine is said to have originated with the Mughals, according to food connoisseurs. Murgh makhani is the most well-known example. Because the state had a lot of pure ghee and butter, combining this impact in its food was a good idea. Murg makhani also helped to balance out the dryness of the tandoori chicken, which had been grilled over charcoal. Punjabi breads include nan and parathas, as well as maize flour rotis. Of course, the roti has evolved over time to include additional variation, such as the rumali roti, naan, and laccha parathas, all baked in the tandoor.
In Punjab, winter ushers in the season of makki ki roti (maize flour bread) and sarson ka saag (mustard leaf gravy). A portion of lassi (a sweet or salted drink prepared with curd) or fresh curd and white butter, which is consumed in big quantities, is required to complete any meal. Maa ki dal, rajma (kidney beans), and stuffed parathas are some of the other notable Punjab-only meals.
Tourism in Punjab
Image- Pixabay
Punjab provides a traveller with a trip back in time. You’ll come across forts, palaces, and monuments, each one grander and more ornate than the last. When you visit Punjab, you will notice that the people’s generosity is as genuine as their cuisine. The Golden Temple, one of Punjab’s most renowned tourist destinations, teaches a lesson on universal brotherhood. Jallianwala Bagh, a major historical site, makes the eyes well up, along with palaces and museums that depict its previous splendour. Punjab offers culture, heritage, history, and wildlife as part of a tourist experience.
You’ll come across forts, palaces, and monuments, each one grander and more ornate than the last. Gobindgarh Fort, Rambagh Palace, Qila Mubarak, Old Moti Bagh, Maharaja Sher Singh Palace, and Bahadurgarh Fort are among the most popular forts and palaces in Punjab. There lies the Phillaur Fort, which is noted for its historical significance and functioned as Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s military base. The Qila Mubarak is another fort that warrants special attention. The relics of Guru Gobind Singh, the eleventh Sikh guru, can be found inside the fort. There is plenty of room for exploration with so many forts, palaces, and other ancient structures.
The Golden Temple, commonly known as the Darbar Sahib, offers another unique tourist experience. One of the most important Sikh pilgrimage places, it preaches and, more importantly, practices universal brotherhood, love, and harmony.Â
Due to numerous water sources and good quality soils, Punjab’s economy has been predominantly agriculture-based since the Green Revolution; the majority of the state is in a fertile alluvial plain with many rivers and a huge irrigation canal system. Wheat is the most widely grown crop. Rice, cotton, sugarcane, pearl millet, maize, barley, and fruit are among other major crops. Large amounts of livestock and fowl are also raised. Cotton, woolen, and silk textiles, metal products and machinery, food and beverages, and transportation equipment and parts are the industries with the most workers.
While the Punjabis are famed for their tenacity, their culture reflects a diverse range of historical civilizations. In Punjab, guests are treated as God’s representatives and are well looked after. Punjab is a place where artistry surrounds every area of life, and a sense of opulence pervades the atmosphere. Metalwork, needlework, wall paintings, jewellery, mud wall paintings, architecture, folk music, and dances all reflect the affluent culture of this northwestern Indian state. The state’s culture is diverse, containing a rich past as well as a thriving social scene. The Punjabi culture, which dates back over a century, is known for its tolerance, progressiveness, and logical attitude to life.
Back-to-school time also often implies that it’s time to get new eyeglasses for several youngsters. It’s essential to have some guidelines to follow if you’re unhappy about your existing frame or realize you have to visit an eye specialist. Whether you want to buy the best reading glasses for women or for men, you can purchase the best one by following a few tips. For some suggestions on how to have a positive experience while purchasing eyeglasses, continue reading!
Do the eyeglasses need any additional coatings?
You might also want to think about getting your eyeglasses coated with specialty materials if you intend to use them each day. This is more focused on the glasses than the designs, but it’s equally essential. If you’d like to lessen sunlight and shadows and even keep your eyes safe when using a computer, applying a coating could be useful. Discuss the numerous possibilities with your eye specialist to determine which could be best for you. Anti-glare shielding, at the very minimum, makes more sense as people won’t blink as much when in the sunlight. So, if you want any extra coating on your glasses or need that extra coating, you should be careful while buying glasses.Â
If you wish to have an extra set of eyeglasses, think about it:
Even while eyeglasses are excellent, you never realize whenever you may require a backup set. This is why you might want to think about getting an extra pair. One seems to be acceptable if the budget just permits one; however, purchasing a second set is always a smart move! They could get suddenly lost, scratched, sat on, or left behind at house or work. If you’re able to pay for an extra pair, it’s always a great decision to keep a spare pair on hand in emergency situations. So, if you wish to have an extra set of eyeglasses, you must think about it because it will save you time if you suddenly misplace your eyeglasses. You don’t have to search for that only pair as you can continue your work by using the extra pair you purchase. There are some sellers too with buy one get one free frame that will help you in making the best purchase.Â
Get eyeglass measurements properly:
It’s possible that improper readings were obtained prior to the eyeglasses being manufactured if you’ve ever worn eyeglasses which just didn’t feel exactly fit. In order to guarantee that the eyeglasses are created to your specific vision and how they fit on the face, additional measurements must be done in addition to getting a perfect fit, or prescribed measurement, for eyeglasses from the eye specialist. The pupil size is among the most popular metrics. Based on whether the eyeglasses are designed for distant or closer-up work, this describes the space between the lenses. So, buy the best lenses by getting the eyeglass measurements properly as it will fit your eyesight, and you’ll never face any problem in watching anything from these prescription glasses. There are numerous additional metrics that are crucial as well, but you cannot perform such measurements alone. This is the reason purchasing eyeglasses online may leave you left unsatisfied.
Check how much money you have to spend on new eyeglasses:
The sensible thing to do if you must purchase perfect eyeglasses is to set a price limit while going to buy one. Why not completely ignore it instead of getting carried away and becoming obsessed with such a set of eyeglasses you can’t afford? So, check how much money you can spend on your eyeglasses before making any purchase, as it will help you in making the best choice. Look to ensure that glasses, lenses, or examinations are covered by the vision plan if you own one. Whenever it relates to how much you can pay, this might be a notable change. When you are aware of your buying power, you may start looking at eyeglasses and eyewear within your price range.
You can purchase the best eyeglasses pair if you keep the above considerations in mind while going to purchase one. If you don’t want to face a bad experience, you should buy them carefully.
India is a fantastic land that upholds the traditional musical spirit. Many maestros of music have decorated the Indian subcontinent with their unique talents and abilities. In the people living in the country, they inculcated a feeling of pride and grandeur. Yet their achievements and their popularity depend to a significant extent on their musical journey’s harmony and rhythms of the Indian musical instruments.
The traditional musical instruments of India have been classified into four sects, according to the Natya Shastra (by Bharat Muni): Avanaddha Vadya (membranophones and percussion instruments), Ghana Vadya (idiophones and solid instruments), Sushir Vadya (aerophones or wind instruments) and Tat Vadya(chordophones or stringed instruments). Later in Europe in the 12th century, Bharat Muni’s former ranking of Indian musical instruments was modified and used for the European Musical Instruments Classification. The use of musical instruments, such as those that we can see now, is demonstrated by ancient monuments and art. As many diverse materials, including leather, wood, metal, and ceramics, are utilised in the production process, the manufacture of musical instruments demands tremendous knowledge and skill of music and acoustic principles.Â
There are two main traditions of the Indian Classical Music system: Hindustani and Carnatic. There are more traditions like folk, tribal, etc. Moreover. Indian musicians from these traditions have produced and played with traditional and indigenous instruments that suit their style from ancient times.
1. Sitar
Image Source- Picryl
Sitar is one of Northern India’s most popular musical instruments. It is easily the best-known musical Indian instrument with George Harrison of the Beatles popularising it in the west after studying with one of the greatest sitarists in the country, Pandit Ravi Shankar. The sitar has twenty metal frets and six to seven major strings on its long neck. Below the Sitar, frets are thirteen sympathetic cords, tuned to the Raga notes. At the bottom end of the Sitar’s neck lies a gourd, which works as a resonator for the strings. To alter the notes, the frets are pushed up and down. Some of the outstanding players of the sitar are Ustad Imrat Khan, Ustad Abdul Halim Zaffar Khan, Ustad Rais Khan, Ustad Vilayat Khan and Pandit Debu Chowdhury.Â
The Sarod, which has been present for less than 200 years, is a relatively recent instrument for South Asia. It is mainly employed in Hindustani music, like the sitar, and the tabla accompanies it. Sarod has a tiny wooden skin-covered body and a steel-covered fingerboard. Sarod has twenty-five strings with fifteen of them being sympathetic strings. It also has no frets. A metal gourd operates as the resonator. The strings have to be plucked with a triangular plectrum. Some noteworthy exponents of the sarod are Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pt. Buddhadev Das Gupta.
Sarangi is one of India’s oldest, most popular bowed musical instruments. The Sarangi has a hollow body and is constructed of ivory-decorated teak wood with inlays of the former. Sarangi contains forty strings, thirty-seven of which are sympathetic. The standard sarangi is handmade, often built of 66-69 centimetres long of a single tun block. The three playing strings are fashioned from goat gut and sympathetic ones are made of brass or steel. The sarangi is held upright vertically and played with a bow. One has to push the left-hand fingernails against the strings to play the Sarangi. Rehman Bakhs, Pt Ram Narayan, Ghulam Sabir and Ustad Sultan Khan are renowned Sarangi masters.
The flute is a simple uniform tube that is cylindrical in shape and has always been associated with Indian music since the beginning of time. Flutes are diverse in size. The flute is held horizontally, and when it is played, it is slanted downward. The finger holes have to be covered with the left and right fingers for a specific sound or melody. Pitch changes are generated by changing the effective air column length. Pt Pannalal Ghosh and Pt Hari Prashad Chaurasia are important exponents of the flute.
Shehnai is a traditional instrument of music that is associated with important and auspicious events such as weddings and temple processions. Shehnai is a double reed with a tapering bore that gradually expands to the lower side. The Shehnai has seven equidistant fingerholes to generate semi, quarter and microtones. The flared open end of the instrument is often built from metal while the body of the instrument is composed of wood or bamboo, but this is not exclusive. The unrivalled Shehnai maestro is Ustad Bismillah Khan.
6. Tabla
Image – Unsplash
The Tabla is North India’s most popular musical instrument. The Tabla includes two drums – the Tabla and the Bayan. It is fashioned from wood and has a stretched animal hide over its head. Tabla is finer tuned by knocking a little hammer on the rims of the Tabla. The Bayan is a bass drum and is normally made of metal with an extended head of the skin. The two drums have a black spot made of manganese or iron polish in the centre.
7. Pakhawaj
Image Source- Wikimedia
The Tabla has been supposed to have come from the Pakhawaj. The Dhrupad singing technique is frequently accompanied by Pakhawaj. Pakhawaj is a drum composed of two layers of skin, fashioned into a barrel. Leather straps on the sides of the body pass through small cylindrical wooden blocks used for tuning and are used to enlarge the heads of Pakhawaj.
Harmonium is an Indian musical instrument that is traditional and popular. The harmonium features a two and a one-half octave keyboard and functions on a bellow system. On the right hand, the keyboard is played while the left hand is utilised to control the bellows. In North India, the harmonium is more popular than in the Southern regions.
A series of eighteen cups of porcelain of various sizes comprises Jaltarangam. The cups are positioned in a semi-circle, in order of size, before the performer. The largest cup is on the left, while the smallest is on the right. Water is split into the cups and the pitch is modified when the cup water is adjusted. Two slender bamboo sticks are struck on the cups.
The Mridangam is one of South India’s most popular classical musical instruments. Mridangam supports performances of vocal, instrumental and dancing. Today’s mridangam consists of only one single wooden block. It is a barrel-like, double-headed drum with the right head being smaller than the left. Both heads consist of layers of skin. The mridangam is played with hands, palms and fingers while performing.
The Ghatam is one of South India’s oldest surviving percussion instruments. The Ghatam is a narrow-mouthed mud pan. It slopes outward from its mouth into a ridge. Ghatam is usually made of clay with a little amount of iron filing, baked with brass or copper filings. The Ghatam produces quick patterns of rhythms. Ghatam is usually a secondary percussion device often accompanied by a mridangam.
India’s music is as varied as its various cultures. India has more than several hundred dialects and languages are distributed all throughout the country. Thus Indian music has a unique and distinctive sound. These musical instruments mentioned above increase the melody and sweetness of the songs sung by the singers. The instruments are created for rhythmic patterns that determine the composition of the song and its beats. The musical instruments of India, therefore, convey a rich legacy and are part of this country’s cultural customs.
Odissi or Orissi is an Indian classical dance that evolved in the Hindu temples of Odisha, India’s eastern coastal state. Initially known as ‘Odra-Nritya,’ it is a dance form that is not only popular in India but is also well-known throughout the world. It is a good illustration of remarkable motions, expressions and gestures of the body.Â
Odissi’s theoretical background traces back to the old Sanskrit Hindu text of the performing arts, the ‘Natya Shastra.’ From the Odisha Hindu temples to diverse sites of architectural significance associated with Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, the age-old traditions of the Odissi are expressed, which are ornamented in sculptures of dancing poses. It is a form of illustrated anecdote of legendary and religious history, of pious poems and spiritual thoughts emoted by dancers with great body movements, expressions, impressive gestures and sign languages. The repertoire of performance comprises the invocation of nrita, nritya, natya and moksha. This dance genre contains themes from Vaishnavism and other gods and goddesses of Hindu mythology such as Shiva, Surya and Shakti.
In the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri in Bhubaneshwar, there exist archaeological proofs of Odissi tracing back from the 2nd century. The tantric images of the dancing yogini, Nataraja and the celestial musicians and dancers of early Shaivit temples along with many examples of Buddhist sculptures offer testament later to the tradition dating from the 2nd century B.C.E. to 10th century C.E. The Dharma or faith of Jagannath were inspirations that were combined in a unique philosophy. Many imposing temples were created with Hinduism gaining a place in Odisha in the 7th century A.D. The splendid Sun Temple at Konarak was established in the 13th century and marks the conclusion in the building work at Odisha with its Natya mandap or hall of dance. Till today, Odissi dancers are inspired by the dancing motions, frozen in stone.
Maharis have been the main repositories of this dance for ages. The maharis, originally temple dancers, were employed on royal courts and the art form declined. A class of youths called gotipuas had been trained in art around this period, they performed in temples and for general pleasure as well. Many of the gurus today belong to the gotipua tradition.
The Odissi performance repertoire contains an invocation which is followed by nritta, nritya, natya, and moksha successively. Mangalacharana is an incantation followed by the offer of Pushpanjali flowers and greetings to the mother earth known as Bhumi Pranam. Next in order comes the performance of the pure dance or Nritta devoted to Lord Shiva by Batu, Batuka Bhairava, Battu Nrutya or Sthayee Nrutya. It takes place only with rhythmical music without any reciting or singing. The second element is expressive dance or Abhinaya to convey a story, chant or poetry by means of the hands, the mudras, emotions or bhavas, and movements of the eye and the body. A dance drama based on Hindu mystical texts and epics is part of the next section of natya. The dance routine, called Moksha, concludes with an Odissi performance that is designed to portray a sense of spiritual freedom.
The female dancers wear brightly coloured sarees usually made of local silk such as the Bomkai and the Sambalpuri saree with traditional motifs. The front section of the sari is worn with pleats or with a separate pleated fabric sewed to allow flexibility of the dancer’s movements while exhibiting exquisite footwork. Her head, ear, neck, arms and wrist adorned silver jewellery. Ghunghru, or music anklets constructed from leather slabs with little metallic bells, are wrapped around the ankles, and her waist is adorned with an embellished belt. Their palms and feet are illuminated with red coloured dyes called Alta. The dancers’ eyes are prominently outlined with Kajal to make her eye movements noticeable. She also wears a tikka on her forehead. Her hair is tied in a bun and embellished with a Seenthi. The hairdo can be decorated with a moon-like crest of white flowers or a Mukoot which is a reed crown with peacock feathers symbolising Lord Krishna.
A male dancer usually wears a dhoti nicely folded in the front and clasped between his lower body from the waist, while the upper body stays naked. His waist is decorated by a beautiful belt.
The unique characteristic of this dance form is that it contains Indian ragas from both the south and north that represent the interchange between the two regions of India. The principal ragas of Odissi are the ‘shokabaradi,” ‘Karnata,’ ‘Bhairavee’,’ ‘Dhanashri,’ ‘Panchama’, ‘Shree Gowda’, ‘Nata’, ‘Baradi’ and ‘Kalyana’. Tabla, pakhawaj, harmonium, cymbal, violin, flute, sitar and the swarmandal are the musical instruments employed.
Sonal Mansingh, a prominent traditional Indian dancer, is the maestro for the form of Odissi. Born in Mumbai in the year 1944, her dance is really astonishing, bringing her much fame as a result. Her creations were always highly commended. In fact, multiple awards were honoured to her efforts in recognition. In 1992, she won the Padma Bhushan, India’s most important civilian award. Not only has she committed herself to the dance industry, but she has also contributed immensely to the grind of millions of people. Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, was awarded to Sonal Mansingh in 2003, which made her the first Indian dancer to receive it. Sometimes, she’s also labelled a philosopher because of her amazing thoughts and opinions.
Mera Bharat, Devi Durga, Indradhanush, Sabras, Manavatta, Aatmayan and Draupadi, are her best-choreographed works. In her traditional dance shows, she has travelled over the world and entertained people. She thinks the question of society and humanity at large should be discussed by dance. Some of her choreographic pieces have raised women’s and environmental issues. She has always been enthusiastic about social topics at seminars.
For Jhelum Paranjape dance has been a way of life since childhood. She participated for a number of years in the dance ballet performed under the guidance of renowned poet Vasant Bapat, directed by Shri Ramesh Purav, staged by Rashtra Seva Del Kalapathak. Several memorable shows took place in the group. Particularly notable productions are Maharashtra Darshan, Bharat Darshan, Shiv Darshan and Azadi Ki Jung. She has been pursuing Odissi dancing since 1977.
From 1980, Jhelum Paranjape began her training under Guru Shankar Behera. She trained with Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, the doyen of Odissi dance. Since 1983, she has performed actively. Smita Patil was her active partner when she began her studies with Shankar Behera in Odissi. Although Smita Patil eventually changed her attention to movies, she always thought about dancing.
Jhelum’s friend and mentor was Smita Patil. It was via her that Jhelum and Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra were introduced. She died in 1986 and by this time Jhelum Paranjape taught a little. Her memories was embedded very much in Jhelum and she wanted to give it a tangible shape. So was formed ‘Smitalay.’
Growing up with Odissi from early childhood in Guru-Shishya tradition, Mayadhar Raut also had the advantage of learning for many years at Kalakshetra under the supervision of Rukmini Devi Arundale. A legend in Odissi Dance, Guru Mayadhar Raut is known to be a difficult taskmaster, as he gently unravels his thinking over the years, giving his philosophy one time to absorb, grasp and imbue. A deep spiritual and intellectual rationale lies behind every deed; something he has considered and lived on long before composing.
Guruji has played a vital role in giving Odissi its classical status, as the founding member of Jayantika, an association founded in the 1950s. Guru Mayadhar Raut was the first Odissi guru in the Odissi study in 1955 to bring Mudra Vinyoga and Odissi dance items to Sancharibhava. He’s the first one to show Geeta Govinda, portraying Shringara Rasa, on stage too. He is highly regarded for his compositions ‘Pashyati Dishi Dishi’ and ‘Priya Charu Shile’ in 1961.
Guru Mayadhar Raut has received the Padma Shri (2009), the Sangeet Natak Academy Award and the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award, Utkal Pratibha Puraskar and Odissi Sangeet Natak Academy Award among many more.
Gangadhar Pradhan was a great exponent of Odissi and a marvellous teacher . He was also an actor, choreographer and mardal artist. As a teacher, Pradhan contributed much to Odissi dance. In Konark Puri in 1986, he established the Konark Natya Mandap. He had several notable dancers-disciples distributed around the country. He staged a number of dancing festivals in the temple city throughout his entire life. He was the first individual to receive the renowned assignment of teaching at Cornell University in the field of art and culture. He won various prizes, including the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Ileana Citaristi is a dancer and dance instructor from Bhubaneswar, India who was born in Italy. She won ‘Best Choreography’ in the 43rd Yugant National Film Awards and in 2006 was given the Padma Sri, being the first dancer of foreign origins, for her contributions to Odissi .
Under Guru Kelucharan, Citaristi trained in Odissi and began her own dance school in 1994. Citaristi also is a Mayurbhanj Chhau representative, which she learnt under the supervision of Guru Hari Nayak and possesses a Chhau Acharya title from Bhubaneswar’s Sangeet Mahavidyalya. In 1996, she founded the Art Vision Academy, which provides a venue to share ideas between different types of art, such as theatre, music, dance and painting.Â
In all the main festivals in India, she has performed her solo dance recitals and her original group choreographies, along with travelling in many other countries, such as Italy, Argentina, Poland, France and Germany Spain, Poland, Canada, Peru and Portuguese and many more.
To India’s third-largest state by land and second-most populous state, diversity comes naturally. Maharashtra is also known as the “Land of Scholars, Saints, and Actors,” as numerous Maharashtrians have achieved success in the professions indicated above. Maharashtra’s purogami tradition is well-known (forward culture). The term ‘Maha’ denotes a big area, but the word ‘Rashtra’ denotes a country. In terms of population, size, and culture, Maharashtra is a ‘Maha’ state. Maharashtra is recognised for its distinctive customs and traditions.
The state is home to a numerous range of cultural treasures and fascinating cultural variety. The communities have managed to preserve their distinct customs and colourful art, enhancing Maharashtra’s cultural fabric with their captivating traditions. However, with the development of contemporary marketplaces and the quick changing of lives, historical customs are rapidly fading. The following are some of the traditional art and crafts of Maharashtra:
Warli Paintings
Image – Jignesh/Pixahive
Warli paintings are mural paintings with a distinct visual language, and they are a kind of tribal art. These paintings are from the Warli tribe, who live in the Maharashtra-Gujarat borderlands’ hilly and coastal locations. The painting’s fundamental forms – circles, triangles, and squares – are used to create holes that portray ordinary human existence. The squares signify a portion of enclosed land, while the triangles and circles are thought to be taken from the mountains and the Sun. The square is the major element in most ceremonial paintings, and within it is a representation of Palaghata, the goddess of fertility. Scenes of fishing, hunting, farming, festivals, dancing, and other activities are arranged around it.
These paintings, which are ascribed to a 2000 BCE society, are similar to the oldest artwork discovered in the Rock Shelters in Bhimbetka near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Today, designers and artists are using Warli paintings on clothing, purses, and book covers, among other things.
Ganjifa Cards
They are circular playing cards constructed of paper that has been coated with a tamarind seed powder and oil combination, then painted and lacquered. Darbari cards feature ornamental borders, while Bazaar cards do not. It was formerly a favourite hobby among Indian courtiers. The traditional Mughal ganjifa, with its 96 cards and 8 suits, found its way into the social milieu of India and the Deccan, where it eventually achieved universal appeal thanks to its themes and figures from Hindu mythology. The Dashavatar, which depicts Vishnu’s 10 incarnations, was the most popular. In Sawantwadi, Ganjifa cards were first presented. These cards were taught to the Chitari people in Sawantwadi, who are noted for their glassware and woodworking skills. Today, greeting cards are given as gifts. The cards are now used as gifts and teaching tools.
Fabric Art of Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a major producer of cotton in India. With such abundant materials, it’s only natural that the majority of Maharashtra’s traditional fabric-based arts and crafts make great use of it. Paithani sarees are mostly silk saris with rich, embellished borders, while Narayan Peth was initially a cotton and silk weave. The rich materials mashru and himroo are manufactured by weaving cotton and silk together on a special loom.
Narayan Peth sarees are made in Maharashtra’s Solapur district. The body of the sari features little patterns in the shape of rudrakshas and is characterized by large borders and brilliant colors. These saris, made of cotton and silk, have been a part of Maharashtra’s culture since 200 BCE. The most attractive feature of a Narayan Peth sari is the contrast between the color of the borders and the remainder of the sari.
Paithani saris are made in the Paithan region in Aurangabad District. The profuse gold zari embroidery on this pure silk woven sari, especially on the pallav, makes it stand out. The saris contain deep, rich colours, a thick gold pallav with designs like flowers, fruits, and birds like peacocks, and little gold bootis (motifs) dispersed throughout the length of the fabric.
Paithani saris are unique in that they do not employ mechanical ways to create their designs, such as jacquard. The patterns are all made by hand. Paithanis are quite costly and are only worn during rare occasions like weddings and festivals.
Mashru and Himroo
Mashru and Himroo are textiles that originated in the Aurangabad District in Maharashtra’s Marathwada area and were historically used to produce clothing for aristocrats. A specific loom is used to weave cotton and silk together, resulting in a sumptuous, distinct feel.
The employment of gold and silver threads in the weaving gives these textiles their luxury. As a result, the finished fabric has a gold hue to it. Weaving by hand has become less popular over time as machines have progressively taken control. The strong patterns and vibrant colors, on the other hand, have helped these textiles maintain their popularity. Although Mashru and Himroo are sometimes used interchangeably, the weaving method is distinct. Himroo is regarded as more exclusive than Mashru since it needs more talent and is significantly finer.
Satrangi, sataranji, and other striped flat weave dhurries are woven on frame looms in Maharashtra, one of the country’s main cotton-growing states. Plain flat weave shatranji, jai namaz, prayer mats with single or many prayer niches, and chindi or rag dhurries are the three forms of dhurries woven by the Maniyar people. They come in a variety of sizes. Displaced mill workers from the Vidarbha region weave Chindi durries with the help and training of non-governmental organisations. Cotton dhurries are used as floor spreads for sitting or sleeping, as well as prayer mats with the prayer niche facing Mecca.
Beautiful decorations on fabric are created by the nomadic banjara people, who have their origins in Rajasthan. The Lamani women of Banjara create symmetrical needlework by raising the fabric’s wrap thread with a small needle and creating triangles, diamonds, and lozenges parallel to the weft thread, giving the appearance of an additional weft weave. They are experts in creating borders for long skirts, which are an important feature of their traditional attire. Embroidery in yellow, green, red, off-white, and black is usually done over a base cloth of handwoven madder (red-colored cloth). The needlework also includes cowrie shells and tassels. Because this stitching is arduous and time-consuming, it is normally done while the ladies are not working as sugarcane harvesters.
Jewellery of Kolhapur
The majority of Maharashtra’s traditional jewellery is inspired by the styles worn by the Maratha and Peshwa kingdoms’ royals. Kolhapur is home to the most well-known of them. The Kolhapuri saaj is a necklace with 21 leaf-shaped pendants and golden beads. For married Maharashtrian women, this necklace is considered auspicious, and the majority of them wear it. The nath, a nose ring made of a gold string braided with pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, is another well-known adornment.
Sawantwadi is well-known for its mango-tree-made wooden toys. Despite the fact that the Chitari are the primary practitioners, other cultures have acquired the skill due to its commercial success. The toys are manufactured using a variety of techniques, including wood and lac turnery, flat-shaped component assembly, and solid wood sculpting. With chisels, seasoned mango wood is shaped into cylindrical forms and the surface is polished.Sawantwadi is famous for its mango-wood toys. Despite the fact that the Chitari are the original practitioners, other cultures have taken up the trade as a result of its commercial success. The toys are manufactured using a variety of methods, including wood and lac turnery, flat-shaped component assembly, and solid-wood sculpting. Mango wood is seasoned and chiselled into cylindrical forms, then finished on the outside.
Silver objects, which were formerly an important element of Maharashtrian religious events, have now become a thriving industry. Untreated silver is first melted, then shaped and sized in rectangular moulds before embossing tools are used to produce elaborate motifs. The goods’ components are built separately and then soldered together. With a brush and soapnut powder solution, apply the final matt or gloss polishing. Hubris’ old craft is silver jewellery. Hupri silversmiths who specialise in popular oxidised jewellery add meenakari and motifs based on the delicate shape of the pope tree, champak, babul, and aonla flowers, as well as the ambi (mango).
Bidri is a sophisticated and polished method that uses intricate inlay and enamelling sequences and is only found in India. It is based on the Persian technique of inlaying gold and silver on steel or copper. Casting, engraving, inlaying, and finishing are the four separate operations involved. Sand Casting is an important part of the bidriware production process. A kalam is used to chisel the desired pattern once the object has been produced and smoothed with sandpaper and blackened, and then strands of silver wire are hammered into these grooves. Small bits of silver and brass cut from sheets are jammed in if the design is carved into bigger patterns. The surface is given a black colour and made permanent by rubbing it with a combination of earth and ammonium chloride after it has been gently heated. The inlay is exposed when the surface is polished with oil. Bidri makes use of a rust-proof, non-corrosive metal alloy that is thought to have been invented in Bidar. His style of ornamentation, which includes wonderful combinations of delicate lattice work intermingled with floral clusters, leaves, and flowers, is typically used on circular containers like bowls, as well as caskets, jewellery boxes, and other tiny boxes. Tarkashi (wire inlay) and tehnishan (wire inlay) are the two main methods (inlay of metal sheets).
Kolhapuri Chappals
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Kolhapuri chappal production is a prominent handicraft sector in the area, employing about 20,000 people. Kolhapuri chappals are flat, beautifully patterned, handmade leather footwear created by a society whose hereditary vocation is tanning and leather work. Originally intended for farmers and field laborers, the footwear’s basic yet innovative design has appealed to a larger range of individuals all over the world. Leather cords are used to stitch the sandals together. Surprisingly, they are not made from nails. The plaited strips that embellish their top section are made of buffalo skin and beautiful goat leather. They are embellished with leather braids and golden zari (tinsel) threads and dyed in natural tan, deep maroon, mustard yellow, and dark brown colors. Traditional patterns use thong-like straps with a toe strap for added strength, but artisans today make simple variations such as kachkadi, bakkalnali, and pukari. Various designs, as well as the addition of new colors, have changed throughout time to meet current demands.
The Thakur community’s bamboo artisans create baskets, fans, containers, and ghaghada (rain shield) that are treated to repel moths and assure longevity, making them popular among the people. Basket weaving is comparable to textile weaving in terms of technique. Shapes are created using a number of processes. Bamboo work is practised by tribal people in Raigad and Thane districts such as Thakur, Mahadev Koli, Kokna, and Warli.
The craftsmen’ ability in Maharashtra is easily seen in the excellent art and craft finishes. Whether it’s the insanely unique warli paintings or the stunning Kolhapur jewellery, the states’ handicrafts truly represent its rich history. Thus it is no surprise that the Marathis take immense pride in their diverse culture and heritage!
Spirituality and philosophy are subjects close to one’s heart. These are concepts that are understood with both the mind and soul. Unlike many other genres, spirituality and philosophy are marked with the hallmark of emotion and application. Reading books on philosophy and spirituality not only calms the inner self, but also shows direction and clears the way for an elevation of spirit, soul and mind.Â
Also, when one reads, there is always an instant connection with the characters and the tale. But books on spirituality and philosophy are also life lessons that go beyond a plot line or story. Perhaps, which is why, you should not only read, but also keep close at hand, some amazing books on spirituality and philosophy. They are wonderful to re-read, especially when one seeks a sense of acceptance, tranquility or when there are questions and concerns that need clarity and answers.Â
What are some of the books on philosophy and spirituality that you must read? We bring to you a list of the top 12 books that must be a part of your personal home library.Â
1. Siddhartha: An Indian Novel – Hermann Hesse
Written in 1922 this book takes you along the self-discovery of a person called Siddhartha. Based during the lifetime of Guatam Buddha, whose first name also happens to be Siddhartha, this novel by German writer Hermann Hesse inspires and influences generations of readers, thinkers and writers. The book unfolds the true meaning and realization of purpose and self through the search of a single man.Â
2. Raja Yoga – Swami Vivekananda
Raja Yoga is an interpretation of the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. Written by Swami Vivekananda, the book elucidates his understanding of the sutras and is adapted especially for the western audience. This book was published in 1896 and also has ideas on Hinduism, Idealism, Western occultism and more. It gives an insight on controlling the mind, meditation and a scientific understanding of yoga as well. There is no doubt that Swami Vivekananda was one of the most influential thinkers of our time and this book is a testimony to his great knowledge, philosophy and empathy towards life.Â
3. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
One of the most inspiring and popular works of this generation; Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is an all time favorite amongst readers across the world. The book is a reflection of the life story of Santiago who travels in search of treasures. But it is the discovery of self combined with mysticism and magic that makes The Alchemist one of the most loved books of our time.Â
4. The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
A New Earth: Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose – Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle has written two gems and both make it to our list of books on spirituality and philosophy that are a must read. The Power of Now sold 2 million copies and has been translated into 30 languages. The book is all about discovery of the ultimate truth that is achieved with spirituality and growth. A New Earth: Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose further expands on these same concepts and ideas and charts ways to ignore the ego to attain happiness and success for the development of a new way of life.Â
5. The Art of Happiness – 14th Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler
The Art of Happiness is essentially in a question answer format, where Howard Cutler, a psychiatrist questions the Dalai Lama on different perceptions of life. Dalai Lama’s answers, as well as observations made by Howard Cutler form the crux of the book that seeks to find answers to true happiness. What is happiness based on? Do external factors really play a role? And how can one attain happiness through continuous training of the mind and heart? To know this and more, you must read the book!
6. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide To Personal Freedom – Don Miguel Ruiz
This book dwells on beliefs that limit the self and how by following the four agreements one can transform life into something that is meaningful and beautiful. Doubting the self can lead to unnecessary suffering and this book lays out the four fundamental agreements that can change life. The four agreements on which the book further expands are – ‘Be impeccable with your word, Don’t take anything personally, Don’t make assumptions, Always do your best.’
7. Tao Te Ching – Lao Tzu
Written as earlier as in 400 BC, Tao Te Ching is a classical Chinese text and one of the basic books that lay the foundations for the philosophy of Taoism. Tao Te Ching has inspired generations of writers, thinkers, spiritualists, artists etc. and it is also translated in multiple languages. Though the time and origin of the text is debatable, there is no doubt that written by the ‘Old Master’, Lao Tzu, this text highlights the qualities that a leader and hence any man should perfect.Â
8. Autobiography Of A Yogi – Paramahansa Yogananda
Published first in 1946, the Autobiography of a Yogi, is the autobiography of Paramahansa Yogananda. The book talks about his experiences with spiritual and philosophical figures in both the eastern and western worlds. Kriya Yoga Meditation are his teachings that are highlighted in the book and methods on to realize the being of God through wisdom and action. The book has been translated into many languages and has been in print for over seventy years now.Â
9. The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure– James Redfield
A recent publication, The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure was published in 1993. This novel revolves around the protagonist who embarks on a journey to understand the nine spiritual insights that are found in the ancient scripts in Peru. The psychological and spiritual ideas of the east are featured in this novel. And life lessons on philosophy, religion and spirituality are discovered through first person encounters by the main character as he journeys to find the true meaning and insights of spiritual realms.Â
10. The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom
Mitch Albom’s main protagonist, Eddie, is inspired by his very own uncle. Killed in an amusement park, he is sent to heaven where he meets five people who impacted his life while he was alive. As Eddie walks through heaven meeting his five important people, he realizes how there is nothing random or coincidental about life. There is a connection and meaning to all thoughts and actions that shape life into what it seems. Written in 2003 this novel has also been adapted on screen as a television show.Â
11. Be Here Now – Ram Dass
Also known as Remember, Be Here Now was published in 1971 and written by the American spiritual teacher and yogi Ram Dass. Originally called Dr. Richard Alpert, the first section of the book showcases the transformation of Dr. Richard into Ram Dass. The second part of the book expands on religion, metaphysical aspects, spirituality and more. The third section of ‘Be Here Now’, is a ready reckoner for starting out on a spiritual or yogic path.Â
12. Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert
Made popular with the Hollywood movie based on the book, Eat, Pray, Love is the story of Elizabeth in her pursuit of happiness, worldly pleasures, as well as spiritual awakening. Elizabeth had everything going for her, however, she felt void and devoid of any happiness. She went through her divorce, depression, failed love and more and bounce back she decided to take on a year long journey with only herself. The book unfolds her journey as she discovers the world outside and more importantly herself within through travel, culture and interactions.Â
Philosophy and spirituality are heavy loaded subjects. They usually are not light, breezy reads that one can devour in a matter of hours. On the contrary, there is serious realization and a self confidence that comes with reading books on spirituality and philosophy.Â
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