Indian Culture Special Part - 1
# 1. CHANNAPATNA Handicraft
Channapatna handcraft can be traced to the reign of Tipu Sultan who invited artisans from Persia to train local artisans in the making of the wooden toys.
- The traditional wooden toy-and-doll craft, with perfected lacquer-ware of Channapatna (on the Bangalore-Mysore highway).
- It is protected by a geographical indication (GI) tag but today a crisis stares the industry in the face.
- The art is known for its mix of vegetable dye and food grade pigments, with natural shellac insect residue.
- It obtained from the trees of Amaltaas and Kusum in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa.
- Although Channapatna’s toy industry survives, what pains is the near-absence of lacquering that attaches a heritage value to it.
#2 Martial dances of India
Martial dances of India
- Chholia of Uttranchal,
- Kalari paittu of Kerala,
- Thang-taa of Manipur
- Gatka of Punjab
- Paika of Orissa
- Pang Lhabosol of Sikkim
Kalarippayattu (asked in UPSC Prelim 2014) :
- Kalarippayattu is a famous Indian martial art from land of attraction Kerala and one of the oldest fighting systems in existence.
- It is practiced in most of the part of south India.
- A kalari is the school or training hall where martial arts are taught.
- It includes strikes, kicks and some weapon based practiced,
- Footwork patterns is most important key in Kalarippayattu.
- It is the best Indian martial art that has been used in many movies to make it popular, like Ashoka and The myth.
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Silambam:
- Silambamis, a weapon-based Indian martial art from Tamil Nadu.
- Every states has it own style of martial arts.
- A wide variety of weapons are used in silamban, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
- Silambam art also used animal movements of snake, tiger, eagle forms and footwork patterns is play a key role here as well.
- Another part of Silambam is Kuttu varisai, it is the unarmed kind of martial art.
Gatka:
- Gatkais weapon-based Indian martial art basically created by the Sikhs of Punjab.
- There are many weapons used in Gatka like, Stick, Talwar, kirpan and kataar.
- The attacking and defense methods are based upon the positions of the hands feet and nature of weapons used.
- It is also displayed during the different celebrations or at fairs in Punjab.
- The sport form is played by two opponents wielding wooden staves called gatka. These sticks may be paired with a shield. Points are scored for making contact with the stick.
- The other weapons are not used for sparring, but their techniques are taught through forms training.
- It is based on the basic principle of unification of the mind, body and spirit in a rhythm of life to train a saint-soldier to be able to defend himself/herself.
Musti yuddha:
- It is unarmed martial art from the oldest city of India “Varanasi“.
- Technique used in this martial arts are punches, kicks, knees and elbow strikes.
- This style is a complete art of physical, mental and spiritual development.
- This art is very rarely visible but was very popular in middle age.
Thang Ta:
- Thang Ta is popular term for the ancient Manipuri Martial Art also known as HUYEN LALLONG.
- Manipuri martial arts with swords and spears, is a strong yet gracefully sophisticated art.
- The Manipuri art of huyen lalong was once practiced by the state's indigenous hill tribes who would engage in duels governed by strict rules of conduct.
- The armed component called thang-ta is named after the system's main weapons, the thang (sword) and ta (spear). Practitioners spar through cheibi gatka in which a foam sword is used together with a shield.
- Unarmed huyen lalong is called sarit-sarak and is used in conjunction with thang-ta when the fighter loses their weapon
Lathi:
- Lathi is an ancient armed martial art of India.
- It also refers one of the world’s oldest weapons used in martial arts.
- Lathi or stick martial arts practiced in Punjab and Bengal region of India.
- Lathi still remains a popular sport in Indian villages.
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Mardani Khel:
- Mardani Khel is an armed method of martial art created by the Maratha.
- This traditional martial art of Maharashtra is practiced in kolhapur.
Pari-khanda:
- Pari-khandaa style of sword and shield fighting from Bihar.
- This art is created by the rajputs.
- Pari-khanda steps and techniques are also used in Chau dance.
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#3 Folk Dance in India
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Classification of Folk Dances of India:
- Occupational
- Seasonal
- Martial
- Devotional
- Ritualistic
- Numerous with local variations to various religions and cultures
- Guided by songs that glorify nature
- Express traditional occupation and devotion to the deities
Bhangra Folk Dance (Punjab):
- Most popular dance of Punjab
- Musical instruments – tabla, dholak, chimta and others
- Weddings and social festivals
Garba Folk Dance (Gujarat):
- Women folk – enacted before the temples of the mother Goddess “Amba”
- Rhythmic clapping + circular movement >> “NAVARATRI” and Holi
- Derived from “Garbha deep” >> lamp inside an earthenware pot or the light which glows inside the temple sanctum
Bihu Folk Dance (Assam):
- Regional festival of Bihu in Assam
- Brisk dance movements by men and women
- Costumes – Traditional, Colourful Assamese garments
Chhau Folk Dance (Eastern India):
- Martial dance form – male dance with use of mask
- West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand
- 3 styles: Seraikela (Jharkhand), Purulia (Bengal), Mayurbanj (Orissa) – popular in Purulia district of West Bengal
- Derived from ‘Chhaya’ – shadow or mask
- Depict themes from Ramayana, Mahabharatha and Puranas
Padayani Folk Dance (Kerala):
- Regional temple festivals
- Main centres – Kottayam, Quilom, Pathanamthitta, Aleppey districts
- Masks of various shapes
Gaur Folk Dance (M.P):
- Bastar district
- Marriages
- Meaning – ferocious bison
- Call for the dance is given by sanding a bamboo trumpet or horn
- Men and women
- Costume (men) – head – dresses decorated with strings of cowrie shells and plumes of peacock
- Costume (women) – brass hillets and bead necklaces
- Men with drums move in a circle >> create variety of dancing patterns
- Incorporates movements of a bison
Jhoomar Folk Dance (Punjab):
- Harvest season
- Slower and more rhythmic form of Bhangra
- Content of songs – love and emotion
- Performed in a circle to the tune of songs
Kummi Folk Dance (Tamil Nadu):
- Women
- Temple festivals, pongal etc.
- Women move in a circle and dance while clapping their hands rhythmically
- One of the women leads the song while others take up the refrain
Therukoothu Folk Dance (Tamil Nadu):
- Junctions of the village during village festivities
- Men and Women
Majilattom Folk Dance (Tamil Nadu):
- Artistic and religious form of dance performed in temples
- Performer dances on a tall piece of wood attached to the end of his feet
- Wears costumes from head to toe like a peacock with beak
Yakshagana Folk Dance (Karnataka):
- Musical dance drama based on Ramayana and Mahabharatha which deals with themes of valour and heroism
- Mainly manifestation of God Vishnu
- Imp – footwork, hand gestures – absent
- Costumes – red and yellow colours
- Starts in the twilight hours with the beating of compositions on drums from upto an hour before the actors get on stage
- Depicts a story from Indian epics and puranas
Bhavai Folk Dance (Gujarat):
- Most colourful and skillful 7 pots folk dance
Dandiya Raas (Gujarat):
- Simple and rhythmic dance performed by young people moving around in an imaginary circle to the beat of Dandiya sticks that they carry in their hands
Tamasha (Maharashtra):
- 18th century form of entertainment
- Name derived from Persian word “spectacle”
- Patronized by Maratha rulers
Kutiyattam Folk Dance (Kerala):
- Sanskrit theatre tradition of more than 2000 yrs closely follows the precepts of Natyashastra
Ottam Tullal:
- Similar to Kathakali
- Also called as poor man’s Kathakali
- Solo dance with simplicity and humour
Kavadiyattam (Tamil Nadu):
Karagam – temple dance
Dummy Folk Dance (Tamil Nadu):
Horse dance in temples
Hikat Folk Dance (J & K):
Expression of joy and love by guys and girls
Giddha (Punjab):
Women at harvest
Cham (Arunachal Pradesh):
Masked ritual dance
Ras Dances (Manipur):
- Maha Ras, Nitya Ras, Vasanta Ras
- Celebrate the season and depicts the life of Sri Krishna
Pung Cholam (Manipur):
- Dance with drums
- Playing the Mrudangam, the dancer executes amazing and energetic movements in unique combination of dance and movement
Jatra (West Bengal):
- 15th century as a result of Bhakti movement in which the devotees of Krishna go in a procession (Yatra or Jatra) to holy places singing and dancing
Baul (West Bengal):
- Wandering minstrel of Sahajiya sect(Tantric sect of Bengal) hold week long festival during which they sing and dance
Charkula (Uttar Pradesh):
- Veiled women balancing large multi-tiered circular wooden pyramids on their heads, alight with 108 oil lamps, dance to the strains of ‘rasiya’ – songs of Lord Krishna. Charkula is especially performed on the third day after Holi – the day which Radha was born.
All these Folk dances of India contributed a lot for the development of Classical dances.
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#4 Famous Sarees in India
Types of Sarees – Places Famous for it
- Paithani – Paithan (Maharashtra)
- Tanchoi silk – Varanasi
- Pochampalli – Hyderabad
- Chanderi – Chanderi (MP)
- Muga silk – Sualkuchi (Assam)
- Sambalpuri – Sambalpur
- Jamdani – Bengal and UP
- Baluchari – Murshidabad (W.Bengal)
KALAMKARI
- Painted & printed textiles of AP
- Kalamkari came from brush like instrument like “Kalam”: used in medieval period to draw pattern on fabric with natural colour.
- The clothes from the former school were influenced by Persian painting and the tenets of Islam and Kalahasthi school reproduced scenes from Hindu mythology
- The art of Kalamkari belongs to 2 distinct schools – Masulipatnam (muslim rulers) & Srikalahasthi (Hindu temples)
APA TANI WEAVES:
- Apa Tani tribe – lower Subansiri dt of Arunachal Pradesh
- Home – Ziro in Apa Tani plateau located in North of Itanagar
- Women – weaving and one or two portable loin loom
- Traditional colours – Red, Green and Yellow obtained from leaves, roots, creepers and the barks of trees
- Cloth – use of broad stripes alternating with narrow ones
- Other geometric patterns – extra weft technique
Baademeri Print
- Manifestation of Rajasthani folk art on textiles
- Recognized by their motifs, boldness of designs and stark colours
- Chief centre of production – Sindh: Hindus of Badmer are engaged in this art
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# 5 Languishing Crafts in India
Name of the craft
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Place
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State
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Indigo Dyeing
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Sivasagar
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Assam
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Assamese Jewellery
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Jorhat
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Assam
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Mirizhim
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Manjula
|
Assam
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Natural Dyeing
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Nangpho
|
Assam
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Saphe Lamphee
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Imphal
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Manipur
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Lashingphee
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Imphal
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Manipur
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Natural Block Printing
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Imphal
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Manipur
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Miniature Painting
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Hyderabad
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Andhra Pradesh
|
Cherial Painting
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Cherial
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Andhra Pradesh
|
Raja Rani Dolls
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Tirupati
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Andhra Pradesh
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Temple Kalamkari
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Kumbkodam
|
Tamil Nadu
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Temple Applique
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Madurai
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Tamil Nadu
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Gheso Work
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Bikaner
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Rajasthan
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Kavad
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Bassi
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Rajasthan
|
Danka
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Udaipur
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Rajasthan
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Rogan Painting
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Nirona
|
Gujarat
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Warak printing
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Udaipur
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Rajasthan
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Mend Ki Chapai
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Sanganer
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Rajasthan
|
Split Ply-braiding
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Thar Region (India)
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Rajasthan
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Pithora Painting
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Jhabua
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Madhya Pradesh
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Hand Block Printing
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Tarapur/Javad
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Madhya Pradesh
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Sanjhi Crafts
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Mathura
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U.P.
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Cuttaki Chappals
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Barang
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Orissa
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Horn Craft
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Cuttack
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Orissa
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Ganjeefa Cards
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Sonepur
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Orissa
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Wood Toys
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Bargarh
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Orissa
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Copper snake
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Boudh
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Orissa
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Namda
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Srinagar
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Kashmir
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Pinjrakari
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Srinagar
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Kashmir
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Pottery
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Srinagar
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Kashmir
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Silver ware
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Srinagar
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Kashmir
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Tapestry
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Srinagar
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Kashmir
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Wagu
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Srinagar
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Kashmir
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Chamba Rumal
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Chamba
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Himachal Pradesh
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Suri Bowl/Sherpai
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Birbhum
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West Bengal
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