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CULTURAL CENTER

WEST BENGAL

Submitted for the partial requirement of

M.Sc. FASHION TECHONOLGY

Under the guidance of Ms Gurpreet Saini

Submitted by

Amanpreet kaurM. Sc FT 4th SEM.Regd.no. 820048070

IVANNA INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY

Ludhiana(Affiliated to PTU jalandher)

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ACKNOWLDEGEMENT

It is a matter of great pleasure and privilege for me to submit this report

Cultural center West Bengal per requirement of M.Sc. Fashion Technology of

graded Punjab Technical University Jalandher.

I will like to express my gratitude to Ms. Manmeet Sodhia, Ms. Gurpreet

and Mrs. Meenakeshi Behal for the valuable and direction provided by them.

I am also thankful to all other who has contributed in compilation of my

report.

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OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT

The main objective of this thesis is to fulfill all the requirements M.Sc. FASHION

TECHNOLOGY of PUNJAB TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY jalandher.In this report I try to light up every aspect of West Bengal just like in

handicraft, in festivals, in culture.

To know the test of special territory we need to give special attention

towards their standards of living, like, dislike etc. If we get a chance in future at

appoint for this special area by this report we know all about the people of West

Bengal. Except this, this report contains information about pilgrimage fair and

festivals which are greatly for tourist.

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INDEX

Chapter 1 Introduction

GeographyPeople

HistoryCuisine

Chapter 2 Handicrafts

Art & Craft

Chapter 3 culture and Clothing

Chapter 4 Costumes

Chapter 5 Monuments

Chapter 6 Festivals

Chapter 7 Dances

Chapter 8 Wildlife

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INTRODUCTION

West Bengal, a state in eastern India, stretches from the Himalayas in the north to the Bayof Bengal in the south. It was on 1st May 1960 when West Bengal was given the status of

a separate state in the Indian union, purely on linguistic basis.

The state has been subjected to a variety of influences from diverse cultures. Since time

immemorial, the culmination of these varied cultures along with Bengal's very own ever-

growing richness has given birth to a unique Bengali culture.

It is a land of varied charms. Right from the mighty Himalayas in the north to the sea-

caressed beaches in the south, it is a wonderful journey over the verdant plains, hilly

terrains, forests and the wonderful mangrove forests like the Sunder bans.

West Bengal is a prosperous state with more than two third of the population depending

on agriculture. The people believe in simple living and high thinking policy. The statehas been ruled by the left Front for the past 30 years making it a democratically elected

communist government. In the more recent time, there is tremendous reformation going

on at various sectors viz. economy, education, transport and tourism etc.

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GEOGRAPHY

West Bengal is on the eastern bottleneck of India, stretching from the in the north to the in

the south. The state has a total area of 88,752 in the northern extreme of the state belongsto the eastern. This region contains Sadakfu (3,636) the highest peak of the state. The

narrow Terai region separates this region from the plains, which in turn transitions into

the Ganges delta towards the south. The Rarh region intervenes between the Ganges deltain the east and the. A small coastal region is on the extreme south, while the forests form

a remarkable geographical landmark at the Ganges delta. The Ganges is the main river,

which divides in West Bengal. One branch enters Bangladesh as the Padma, while the

other flows through West Bengal as the Bagirathi River and Hoogly River.Map of West BengalFlora and Fauna: Owing to the varying altitude from the Himalayas

to the coastal plains, the flora and fauna of the state is diverse. Forests make up 14% of

the geographical area of West Bengal, which is lower than the national average of 23%.Protected forests cover 4% of the state area. Part of the world`s largest forest is located in

southern West Bengal.

Climate: West Bengal experiences three distinct seasons over the course of the year.Winter (more accurately described as the cool season, considering the lack of

significantly cold temperatures) lasts from October to February. When March comes

along, the state begins to see its hot and dry period, which continues on through earlyJune. Finally, from late June to early September, West Bengal falls under its monsoon

season. In terms of lifestyle choices, the monsoon season makes the largest impact onWest Bengal life, because the strength of the monsoon rains has a sizeable impact on the

quantity and varieties of harvested crops.

Location: Location in northeast India, West Bengal is bounded north by Sikkim andBhutan east by Assam and Bangladesh, South by the Bay of Bengal and Orissa, west by

Bihar and Jharkhand, and northwest by Nepal.

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People

People with different racial, regional and

cultural origins live in West Bengal.

However, an impact of the Bengali culture

is evidently visible on all the residents ofthe state. The zeal of festive mood, the

tendency of relishing good food, the

intellectual aura and the love for literature,

music and football is commonly seen in

majority of the people in West Bengal.

The cosmopolitan Bengali culture, with a

blend of traditional sanctity in it, is

something that makes Bengal a unique

state. Read on to know more about the

basic traits of Bengali people.

Racial CompositionWest Bengal, because of its accessible location near sea, has been the entry gate of India

since long. Today, the inhabitants of the state demonstrate a prolific inter mixture of five

distinct racial strains. The oldest stratum of the population found here is Proto-Australian

in origin. However, these five main racial strains of Bengal have become so inextricably

intermixed that it is almost impossible to find a pure racial type in the population.

ReligionHindu and Muslims dominate the population of West Bengal. The minority religions

practiced in the state are Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity and

Jainism. The people of Bengal live with mutual peace and

harmony. Throughout the year there is a festive mood in thestate, as each season brings a plethora of festivals along with it.

Durga Pooja is celebrated with same joy and grandeur in the

state as Id. The cuisines and the culture of West Bengal also

demonstrate the inextricable blend of its existent religions.

EducationThe literacy rate of West Bengal is 69.72 %. There is free

primary education in rural West Bengal and in the most of the

municipal areas. Even the books are available free of cost to the

students of rural parts. Girl's education in the state is free up to standard VIII.

Major OccupationAgriculture is the main occupation of the people of West Bengal. Majority of the

population is involved in the farming sector, as cultivators and agricultural labors.

Industries are also a major source of employment in Bengal. There are more than 10000

registered factories in the state. Apart from the alloy steel plant at Durgapur, there are

several other steel plants in the state. The colliery at Asansol is also a large employment

provider in the state. Other than this, the centre has set up a numerous industries in the

areas of tea, sugar, chemicals and fertilizers. Tea and jute plantation in West Bengal also

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generate a lot of job. People here are also involved in banking and education sector.

AttireThe traditional Bengali attire for men is dhoti and kurta (a sleeved vest) and for women, it

is sari or salwar-kameez. Though these attires are still dominant in the rural areas, the

urban people have almost fully adopted to the western attires. The only exceptions are the

religious ceremonies, when they can be seen clad in their traditional costumes.HISTORYBengal which is a region in the north-east part of the Indian sub continent has a rich

historical heritage. Previously it constituted of the East Bengal and West Bengal as a

whole until it was divided in the recent past. Bengal is one of the most densely populated

parts of the world and its history which dates back to four millennia can be divided intoancient, medieval and modern. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping

the history of India.

Bengal has a prosperous mythological past. The Bhagavata Purana discusses the primitive

people of Bengal as sinners because they were considered Dasyus and not Indo Aryans.

But the Vanga and Anga in Bengal are identified as Indo-Aryans in the Jain scriptures.Early mention of Bengal can be found in the Mahabharata and in Ptolemys geography as

well. The remains of the settlements of the Copper Age suggest that the region of Bengal

dates back to four thousand years. Earliest evidences of human settlements are derived

from the stone tools and such pre historic stone tools have been found in many regions ofBengal such as Medinipur, Bankura and Bardhaman. In the Mahabharata there are

references of Bengali kings like Chitrasena who was defeated by Bhima. The epic also

suggests that Bengal was divided among various tribes or kingdoms such as southern,northern and western Bengal. Western Bengal was a part of Magadha and thus, became a

part of the Indo-Aryan civilization by the 7th century BC. However it was under the

Nanda Empire that the whole of Bengal came under the Indo Aryan rule. The southern

Bengal excelled in trade activities and after the invasion of Alexander the great in 326B.C. it rose to prominence. At that point of time the Gangaridai Empire was the most

powerful kingdom of Bengal and it was for the fear of their might and power thatAlexander withdrew from India. The Vanga kingdom was an influential maritime nation

of Ancient India.

In the early medieval period Bengal was divided into two kingdoms namely Pushkaranaand Samatata. Bengal came under the supremacy of the Gupta Empire when

Chandragupta II defeated a confederacy of Vanga kings. During the 6th century the

strength of the Gupta Empire weakened and the Eastern Bengal became the Vangakingdom. The first independent Buddhist dynasty that Bengal had witnessed is the Pala

Empire in the 8th century A.D. It lasted for four centuries and at this point of time Bengalexperienced the creation of numerous exquisite Buddhist architectures. The Pala dynastyis regarded as the golden epoch of Bengal. Never had the Bengali people reached such

height of supremacy and splendour. In the twelfth century the Sena dynasty took hold of

the reigns of Bengal. Caste system was introduced in Bengal by the rulers of the Sena

dynasty. Hinduism was revived and Sanskrit literature gained prominence during thistime.

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The medieval period of Bengal was marked by the advent of the Muslim rulers in the 13th

century. The rule of the sultanate of Bengal came to an end when the Mughal rule becamerecognised in Bengal during the sixteenth century. The Mughal forces in Bengal were

defeated by Sher Shah Suri, the Afghan ruler who had excellent administrative skills and

he built the Grand Trunk Road in Bengal. After Sher Shahs death the Mughals

established their control all over again in Bengal. During Akbars reign Bengal witnesseda period of prosperity. Bengal under the Mughal rule was referred to as the Paradise of the

Nations.

Modern era of Bengal started with the advent of the British. The British East India

Company was set up in Kolkata in the year 1690. Under the British rule two devastatingFamine hit Bengal in the year 1770 and 1943. After the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857, the British

gained full control over Bengal. From 1850 Bengal was Indias one of the chief industrial

centre. Kolkata was declared as the capital of the British Raj. In the year 1905 Bengal was

divided into east and west Bengal by the British for administrative purposes. Bengal wasdivided into Hindu west which included Bihar and Orissa and Muslim east which includes

Assam. This step by the British only enhanced the Hindu Muslim conflict. Because of the

strong agitation, the British reunited East and West Bengal in 1912 and Bihar and Orissawere made a separate province.

The Bengal renaissance is one of the most imperative segments in the history of Bengal. Itstarted with Raja Ram Mohan Roy and ended with Rabindra Nath Tagore. Nineteenth

century Bengal was an exclusive merge of religious and scholars, journalists, social

reformers, literary giants, patriotic orators and scientists, all merging to form the picture

of a new beginning, and marked the evolution from the medieval period to the `modern`era. In the independence movement Bengal played a vital role. Many eminent freedom

fighters like Subhas Chandra Bose, Khudiram, and Surya Sen hailed from Bengal. Bengal

was also the nurturing ground for a number of prominent revolutionary organisations.

The second partition of Bengal occurred in the 20th century in the year 1947. Bengal was

divided into West Bengal in India and a Muslim region of East Bengal under Pakistan andit was renamed as East Pakistan in 1958.

Cuisine of West Bengal

Fish and rice are the main ingredients that typically describe the cuisine of West Bengal.

Yet that doesnt mean there is nothing more to the state. The people here also eat a varietyof vegetables that are grown there in suitable weather conditions.

The main ingredient of the meals of the native people here is fish, cooked in different

varieties. It is steamed, fried or stewed with a variety of different vegetables and also

boiled with spices to add a unique flavor to the dish. Mustard oil is the all time favoritemedium of cooking in the Bengali cuisine. Panchphoran is a spice that is very common

and widely used in this states cuisine. Panchphoran is a blend of five basic spices namely

aniseed, mustard, fenugreek seed, cumin seed and black cumin seed.

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The state is also fond of sweets and curds making them a

tradition throughout the state. It is believed that a mealwithout a sweet or curd normally is incomplete. Sweet

delicacies of this state are enjoyed and relished by all

around the country. An aspect that makes Bengali food

unique and different from the rest of the country is the factthat the Bengalis love to experiment with different cultures

and try out new ways of cooking.

Other famous cuisines of the state include Rassagolla (cottage cheese in sweet syrup),Sondesh, Began Bhaja, Luchi, Machcher Jhol, Doi Machch (sea food), Mishti Doi

(sweetened curd) and Kosha Mangsho.

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HANDICRAFTS of WEST BENGAL

West Bengal heritage of handicrafts is legendry. The exquisite texture of Baluchari Sarees, Silk

and Tasar Textile from Murshidabad, Birbhum, Bankura, Hoogly and Nadia districts have

become the Choice of the Century. The fascinating handloom textiles of the same regions as

mentioned above are now attracting world-wide attention. Besides the garment materials, jute

products, wood and cane products, conch-shell products, brass wares and folk dolls and

handicrafts belonging to different schools of art as Dokra art etc. Now embellish a large many

drawing rooms.

The salient point, however, to be noted in this context, is that each of these schools. In spite of

their contiguity has maintained its own distinguishing features down the ages. The handicrafts

items are widely marketed by Manjusha, a state Government owned emporia and other

establishments as well.

MASKS

The use of masks have come down from the primitive ages. The masks

generally made here are of mythological character and the material used is

paper mache painted in bright colours. They are used for rituals and folk

festivals and as decorative items for homes

TERRACOTTAThis is one of the most ancient forms of art in Bengal and the association with

religion has given it a different dimension. The traditional potters or

"Khumbhakars" have been producing domestic and decorative items by

moulding dry and burnt clay over the ages.

DHOKRA

Along with many other states, Bengal shares the folk art of Dhokrainitially

practiced by a nomadic clan. The technique of Dhokra is "Cire Perdue" or lostwax process in which metal, mainly brass, scrap is used. Traditional folk motifs

and techniques have been maintained.

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RAG DOLLS

This craft root from a Japanese influence, but has

lately gained immense popularity in Bengal. Made

with small cloth, cotton & wool, these are used by

children and for decorative purposes.

SHOLAPITH

Bengal is famous for it's sholapith items for marriages & festivals and serve as

decoration items for wall hangings etc.

CANE & BAMBOO

Originating in ancient Bengal, These items find a bigger market in cities

rather than villages in modern times. the material is mainly used to make

furniture and other decorative items.

WOOD CARVINGS

Wood is widely used for making toys and decorative panels.

Kalighat dolls & Natungram wood carvings are worth mentioning.

Image made in wood relate back to traditional icons, deities some

of them stylised to a modern look.

New materials and innovative techniques are being used by the

artisans to produce useful and aesthetic products. Folk motifs and

ingredients are being effectively used for a greater market.

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TEXTILE

International Textiles & Garment Fair is the first one-stop

opportunity in India for textile professionals and exporters to

discover what West Bengal has to offer. ITGF'99 - an

unprecedented, high profile extravaganza, where hundreds ofweavers and craftsmen come together to meet industry and

trade participants and interact on the intricacies of production

and concepts that can sell.

Craft

PotteryHand-made pottery is predominantly a woman's art in West Bengal. Women generally make variety

of dolls and toys. These hand made figures, small dolls and toys are done by pressing and moulding

methods. Some important and interesting items are :

MangalghatMangalghat is a kind of small vase which is commonly used all over Bengal in all kinds of rituals. Inbirth initiation and marriage ceremonies, in the festivals and rituals of all Gods and Goddesses these

auspicious vases of various shapes and sizes are counted as essential requisites. These are mostly

painted.

Lakshmi GhatThese are auspicious vase of the Goddess of wealth. There is fairly a large variety of Lakshmi-ghat inWest Bengal, mostly done in pairs, one for Lakshmi and another for Ganesh. Of these, Tamluk

Lakshmi - ghats are most decorative and beautiful. Lakshmi's face is shaped on the upper fringe of thevase, with sharply drawn eyes and crest and the trunk of Ganesh in the other vase is also fine. In

Raghunathbari, the vases are placed like bowls on an earthen stand. The Jhargram type, is the simplestone with a little long neck marked with two dots for eyes. It has a look of tribal simplicity.

Manasa - Ghat (Bari)The most conspicuous type of Manasa ghat is found in Bankura and Garbeta area of Midnapur. Based

on earthen jars turned upside down, the face of the serpant-Goddess, along with the attached snake-

hoods, give the vase a peculiar shape and form. The number of snake-hoods varies from one, three,five, and seven, to more than hundred arranged in ascending tiers according to the size of the vase.

TulsimanchaOne of the finest unique specimens of potter's craft is the Tulsimancha of Midnapore. Tulsimancha is

generally a raised pedestal, either brick-built or earthen. The terracotta tub - like Tulsimancha with

decorative motifs (mainly of Gods and Goddesses) are hardly found outside Midnapore. . It may beplaced on the ground anywhere and filled with earth. Then a tulsi plant or any other small plant may

be planted on it.

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Dakshin Roy's Head - 'Bara - Murti'Another interesting piece of pottery which is basically a Ghat or vase, shaped into the figure of a local

village deity is Bara - murti. This is also a vase upside down. The upper part is elongated into the form

of a leaf with painted leaves and flowers on it and below it on the round surface the face of Barathakur

is drawn. It is commonly worshiped in pair and also sold by potters in pair, of which one is God Bara

and the other, his consort Narayani. In the Narayani ghat the moustache is absent. Eyes, eyebrows,moustache and beard are all sharply painted by brush. The worship of this Bara - murti is widely

prevalent in the south of 24 Parganas district, where almost in every village the rituals are observed ona mass scale during the last day of Bengali month Pous and the first of Magh, corresponding to 14-15

January. The painted terracotta heads of Bara is placed under trees in pairs. Locally Bara is popularly

known as the severed head of 'Dakshin Roy' who is a tiger-god. It is one of the most popular people'sGod in south 24 Parganas, associated with an environment of forest, which is likely to be the

Sunderbans.

Marriage - Ritual vessels (Harhi)In marriage ceremonies, vessels of different shapes and sizes are necessary for sending gifts to bride's

and bridegroom's houses, especially varieties of sweets. Earthen vessels were used in the past becauseit were considered more sacred and auspicious than glass-pots or metal-pots. Of these earthen vesselssome interesting varieties are found in Bankura, Midnapore and Murshidabad, which are painted and

decorated. Harhis are not painted in all places and even where these are painted, the painting is not

done by the professional potters of Kumbhakar caste, but by Patuas or scroll-painters, as in Midnapore(Narajol). In Bankura, the vessels are not painted by brush, but etched and engraved with pointed

needles by potters (generally women). The designs are geometric and symbolic. Fish is a common

subject in all drawings on these auspicious vessels. The Patuas paint flowers and leaves with fish. Theother designs are of trees and flowers, symbolically executed.

Putul (Dolls)

The dolls are usually made by pressing and moulding methods. Now-a-days these are mostly preparedin mould. The mould may be prepared in parts and on each mould - piece the required quantity of clay

is firmly pressed to get the intended shape and look. Clay paste is used for joining together the

moulded parts. Then the object is dried, burnt and painted by brush. Mica - coated Red Dolls are madeby moulding method. It is found in Howrah district : Puilya, Tantiberai, Tulsiberai and Sariyala -

Balipota and in Midnapore.

Pressed - nose DollsThe size of this doll is 1-2 inches to 4 -5 inches. It is found in Tulsi - berai, Tantiberai, Sariyala -

Balipota, Antila and Kalikapur, Patihal and Jagatballavpur in Howrah district, in Midnapore town andin Berachampa - Debalaya. The dolls of Jagathballavpur and Midnapore town have blue and red

stripes on white coating.

Horse - riders with and without wheels : Average height of the dolls is 4 to 5 inches.Wheeled type is made in Tantiberai and Bantul in Howrah district and in Berachampa. Mother-Dolls:

Of all the mother - dolls the most interesting and unique types are made by Bankura potters. The typesvary in different centres. Panchmura, Rajagram and Sonamukhi which are the three principal centres

of Bankura pottery produce different type of mother - dolls. The dolls of Sonamukhi have red colour

but the Panchmura dolls are generally black. Dolls of Sonamukhi and Rajagram have 'bonnets' also.

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Art and Craft

Performing Art

Dance formsIn Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore has the credit of rehabilitating dancing as a fine art to be learnt byyoung as a part of their education. During the last twenty five years the new dance movement hasmade considerable progress not only in West Bengal but also other parts of India. Various dance forms

popular in West Bengal are :

Chhau DanceThe Chhau dance of Purulia district is a sophisticated dance system in Bengal. The Chhau dance is a

mask dance. There is no Chhau without mask. This dance is usually performed by male dancers.

Chhau dance of Purulia has some characteristics of primitive ritualistic dance in its vigour, style andmusical accompaniment mainly the drum. The symbols were once used as facial painting or body

painting by dancers who were thus recognized as personifying the characters they stimulated and themasks appeared later.

Tusu and Bhaduriya SailaMakara Sankranti is an important festival in all parts of Bengal. The Tusu Parab is held in Birbhum onthis occasion. Groups of young girls gather every evening throughout the month of Pousa (December-

January) and sing songs which have been termed by the generic term Tusu. The songs are

accompanied by simple group movements: there is no other accompaniment. The men also have theirparticular songs and dances for the occasion and these are known as the Bhaduriya Saila.

Jhumar and Ashariya Jhumar

In Chaitra, another type of composition known as the Jhumar is sung and danced. Jhumar can be sungand danced by only one men and women or both depending upon the particular occasion. The Jhumar

at Chaitra is a typical men's dance which is accompanied by drum and cymbals. At time of the

transplanting of the paddy only women sing and dance the Jhumar. This is then known as the AshariyaJhumar. Into the agricultural songs of transplanting paddy was impregnated the theme of the love of

Radha and Krishna and other stories of mystical union. The basic tune of the Jhumars remained more

or less the same. The development of the Jhumar provides an interesting instance of an old formabsorbing a new content.

Raibense danceThe Raibense dance of Birbhium district is a traditional system with a martial motif. Dance is a series

of vigorous physical exercises, in which the erect torso has an important part to play. The dancersbegin in a single file and then make a circle. Hops, jumps and circles are characteristic. Skills with theshield and the spear and the trishul are common. A percussion instrument accompanies the dance.

Some other dance formsThe agricultural dances have gradually given place to dances which are purely devotional or religious

in character. Practically each different sect has its own music and dances. The worshippers of Shakti,

dance in the Chandi mandir of Siva, in the dance hall called Gambhira and those of Vishnu in the

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Natmandir. All these pavilions are specially constructed for the dance in front of the shrine. The

Gambhira festival is held on this day. So also is the Kesvar where Siva is worshipped. Gazan dance isperformed by men dressed in saffron robes who carry a Dhanuchi (incensed burners). This is

exclusively performed by men; the musical accompaniment is provided by decorated drums and brass

gongs (Kanshi).The ballad singers, the boatmen, the fishermen and the professional musician dancers,

actors, acrobats and even jugglers have their distinctive songs and dances. A characteristic feature ofthese is the musical accompaniment which consists of a one stringed instrument called the ektara. The

dance movements are by and large, restricted to short sequences which intersperse the singing. Thefootwork is elementary, but the movement of the pelvic griddle is difficult and characteristic. It is

freely used by men singing the songs to indicate a dramatic moment.

TheatreJatra, is the traditional theatre form of Bengal. The Jatra is performed by travelling troupes under the

management of a man called Adhikari. Although, originally the Jatra had only the themes of Radhaand Krishna, today Jatras are written and performed by writers and dramatists of rural and urban

centres.

MusicMusic is a passion with the Bengalis who express their feelings, emotions and spiritual experience in

songs. Different styles of Music are :

KirtanKirtan is a sophisticated style of vocal music deriving from Dhrupad. Kirtan is a harmonious

combination of the mode and the lyrical message. Couplets of the lyrics are sung in a chaste raga inslow dhrupadic measure by the leader of a group of singers and their significance is elaborated in

recitation or song. The refrain is taken up by the group in quicker and quicker tempo until the chorus

finishes in a crescendo and then the next couplet is taken up by the leader. The process goes on until a

particular episode is completed. Tampura and khol, are used for accompaniment. In recent times thebox, harmonium and the violin are also used. Four sub styles of Kirtan have developed in course of

time. These are Manoharshahi, Garanhati, Mandarini and Reneti schools, each with its distinctivemanner of presentation and incorporating some features of the different classical styles.

Vishnupur School or Gharana StyleThe court at Delhi patronised classical music. The tradition was set by Mian Tansen, court musician of

Emperor Akbar, an exponent of dhrupad style, who ruled the musical world of northern India. As the

Mughal authority declined, the disciples and descendants of Tansen started leaving Delhi. A number

of them found warm reception with Bengali feudatory chiefs. A descendant of Tansen, a 'dhrupadiya'named Bahadur Khan, settled himself in the court of the feudatory chief of Vishnupur and started a

school of music which came to be known as the Vishnupur school or Gharana which produced a line

of eminent musicians, many of whom were retained by wealthy landlords interested in Indian classicalmusic. Prominent among such patrons in the mid-nineteenth century were the members of the Tagore

family, Saurindramohan Tagore and his brother Jatindhramohan Tagore whose efforts made Calcutta a

main centre of Hindustani classical music in Bengal. Some other masters of this school were retainedby Devendrnath Tagore for coaching the members of his family and also for setting the music of

Brahmo devotional songs in the solemn and dignified style of Dhrupad.

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TappaA lighter style of song which had great vogue in nineteenth century Bengal is Tappa, originally

introduced during the first half of the century by Ramnidhi Gupta or Nidhu Babu who composed a

number of memorable songs of secular love in Bengali which became quite a fashion among the

gentry in a short time. By and by its features were assimilated in popular music of diverse kinds-insongs of devotion, in Jatra songs and other compositions by later composers.

ThumriThumri was a later arrival, it was the lightest of all classical styles. It took a considerable time to earn

popular appreciation.

Folk SongsThe main varieties of folk songs may be classified into three groups-Baul, Bhatiali, and Sari.

Tagore traditionSong compositions of Rabindranatha Tagore has the most extensive adaptation of the all the styles,Hindustani classical as well as indigenous and European and a personal styles assimilating and

synthesising all extant styles. Subject-wise his songs, nearly 2,500 in number fall into five broad

categories namely- Songs of devotion.

- Songs of love

- Songs of nature

- Patriotic songs and- Miscellaneous songs. Most of his songs are dhrupadic in structure, being composed in four stanzas

and are to be sung according to the notation set.

Dhrupad and Baul styles predominate in Tagore's devotional songs while his other songs make liberaluse of the Tappa style in a modified form omitting the feature of improvisations. Many of his patriotic

songs are composed in Baul style. For example, the song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' which has been adopted

by Bangladesh as its national song and others, like 'Janaganamana-adhinayaka', India's national songare Dhrupad based and combine the feature of choral singing. It is in his songs of nature that Tagore

comes out in the fullness of his genius as a composer. He employs classical ragas, combines them

felicitously to fully unfold the nuances of the lyric and introduces a happy synthesis of folk tunes andragas in a variety of appropriate time measures. In his songs of spring, Tagore has created a

naturalistic myth of recurrence of life, most of such lyrics are for song and dance.

Musical Instruments

In instrumental music Bengal has produced great masters in the Sitar, the Sarod and the Esray. Thegreat teacher, late Ustad Alauddin Khan has developed the art of the flute into the first rank for the

exposition of classical music. The' modern' style has pressed into service the guitar, the violin celloand other musical gadgets of western origin. The portable box harmonium, which evolved in Calcutta

about eight decades back is ubiquitous despite the frowns of orthodox classicists. For concert music

the violin, the clarinets and the cornet are extensively used. Some itinerant rural singers also use thefiddle for accompaniment. The Bauls use the ektara and the dotara, bayan (percussion) and ankle-

bells. The wealthy traditionally call for naabat consisting of the sehnai and nakkara (percussion) for

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auspicious ceremonies. In major public celebration like the Durga Puja the instruments of choice are

the Jaidhak (major Indian drum) and the Kansi (brass gong) played in a variety of rhythmus and timemeasures. The khol and cymbals are the invariable accompaniment for Kirtan music.

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CULTURE OF WEST BENGAL

The state of West Bengal lies in the eastern region of India and is the thirteenth largest state

in the country. Having being under the rule of various empires and dynasties, the state hasevolved a rich mix of cultures and traditions.

The manifestations of the culture of West Bengal can be found in various expressions of

arts, and literature is one among them. Its literature has a rich heritage, shared withBangladesh, which was once a part of the undivided India. The literary heritage of West

Bengal has been enriched by Michael Madusudhan Dutt, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay,

Rabindranath Tagore, and Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Many eminent modern authorsand poets of West Bengal have started from where these greats have left and have further

developed the Bengali literature with their quality literary outputs. Besides West Bengal has

its own version of fairy tales for children, which is known as Thakurmar Jhuli. Theseenchanting collections of stories of princes and princesses, flying horses, kings, queens,

demons and ogresses have held their sway even in these changing times of Harry Potter. In

music, a unique heritage of the Bangla folk music is the baul tradition. Bauls are the folksingers of rural Bengal who wander from village to village singing their songs, which withtheir simple lyrics manage to capture the complex truths of life. Their livelihood primarily

depends upon common people's patronage. Baul singers often play ektara, which is a single

stringed instrument, along with their songs.

Besides folk music, West Bengal's musical repertoire is enriched by the sublime

expressions of Rabindrasangeet- the songs of Tagore- which show a unique synthesis of thewestern and Indian classical music traditions. One of the modern movements in the musical

scenario of West Bengal is the Jeebonmukhi Gaan, which tries to capture the idiosyncrasies,

complexities and dichotomies of modern life with unconventional perspectives. Suman

Chattopadhyay(Kabir Suman), Anjan Dutta and Nachiketa are the chief proponents of thismodern musical genre that makes a successful attempt to encapsulate the tensions and

frustrations, and little joys and failures of our modern life. The state also has a rich

heritage in North Indian classical music. In dance, Chau dance of Purulia is a rare from ofdance, where the dancers wear masks. The Bengali film industry, dubbed as Tollywood, is

located in Kolkata. Some of the cinematic maestros of West Bengal are Satyajit Ray,

Ritwik Ghatak, Rituparno Ghosh, Aparna Sen and Goutam Ghose. Costumes are anotherexpression of the culture of West Bengal. The women of West Bengal traditionally wear

saris, though salwar kameez and western wear are also gaining currency. In urban areas,

western attire is favoured by many. Among men, western wear is preferred over traditionalIndian costumes. However, men, especially during religious occasions, also wear kurta and

payjama, or dhoti, thereby donning the typical Bengali style of dressing.

Festive occasions of West Bengal are numerous, the most famous of which is the DurgaPooja, which is generally being held in October. The Bengali new year, also known as Poila

Baishakh, Rathayatra, Dolyatra, the Poushparbon, Kali puja, Saraswati puja, Lakshmi puja,

Buddha Purnima which marks the birth of Buddha, etc are some of the other festivities ofthe region. In cuisines, rice and fish are the favourite traditional foods of West Bengal. In

recent years, meat consumption has also increased significantly. Another traditional dish in

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the rural West Bengal is the pantabhat, which is rice, soaked overnight in water. Some other

popular food items germane to West Bengal include beguni, kati roll, and phuchka. Itsrecorded history dates back to two thousand years, and having being under various rules

over the years, West Bengal is rich in its traditions and culture.

Bengal Traditional CostumeBengalWest Bengal, like many other places in the world, is a place of contrasts- a curiousblend of the old and the new, partly feudal, partly born out of growing urbanization, partlyundefinable. Fish, crowds, politics, potholes, monuments, art and cinema, cricket and

soccer- all are indispensable parts of Bengal. The state is, in its physical form, a complete

representation of the Indian subcontinent.

`Catching the cold` comes easy to Bengalis. It`s a skill thats acquired almost immediately

after birth. Watch a Bengali baby and you would know. Wrapped in layers of warm

clothing even if the sun is boiling the mercury, the baby learns quickly that his chances ofsurvival in a Bengali household depend on how tightly he can wrap himself in cotton, linen

and wool. Bengalis have almost romanticised warm clothing, so much so that Bengali arthas found eloquent expression in a form of quilt-stitchwork called kantha.

West Bengal,In winter, the quintessential Bengali`s outfit puts the polar bear to shame.

Packaged in at least seven layers of clothing and the head snugly packed inside the queerestheadgear, the monkey cap, he takes the chill head on. Easy lies the head that wears the

monkey cap. With a pom-pom at the top, its not just a fashion statement; it`s a complete

fashion paragraph. For a race that is perpetually running scared of cold weather, Bengalishave a surprising affinity for hill stations.

Probably, warmth of heart is best preserved in shawls, pullovers and cardigans. In an age

when you are judged by how cool or uncool you are, the warmth that the kakus, jethus andmashimas exude can melt icebergs.

Costumes of West Bengal

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Costumes of West Bengal represent a striking blend of tradition and cultural prosperity.The costumes of West Bengal reflect the states cosmopolitan culture. In an Indian state

that houses a multi-ethnic population, the range and variation in costumes is breathtaking.

From the use of traditional fabrics, designs and motifs to the incorporation of western

attires and styles within the Bengalis cultural domain, the apparels of West Bengaldisplay fine works of artistry and sophistication.

For the men in West Bengal, the traditional garment is the dhoti and the panjabi. Dhotis

are lengthy pieces of fabric spun in cotton or silk worn by the Hindus. Previously, dhotis

were prevalent only in white though at present colored dhotis are also in vogue. The dhotiis tied at the waist and wrapped around like a loin cloth passing in between the legs. It is

suitably matched by a Panjabi, worn atop, also made of silk or cotton. The Panjabis are

loosely fitted garments, reaching close to the knees and are available in a wide variety of

colours. The lungi is another variation of the dhotis worn by men in West Bengal. It isalso wound around the waist and is often plaid. Over the years, the traditional dhoti and

Panjabi have lost much of their appeal and the pajamas are in vogue. While western attire

has overtaken the dhotis popularity as regular wear, the combination of dhoti and panjabiis an irreplaceable ingredient during traditional festivals and occasions like the Durga

Puja and wedding ceremonies. In the rural areas, though, the dhoti is worn by the men as

regular attire.

The graceful icon of elegance that symbolises the quintessential Bengali woman is the

saree. Indian sarees can be draped in various ways. In Bengal, a section the saree is

wrapped around the waist and the remaining portion isswathed over the shoulder. In the olden days, women had

to cover their heads with the ends of their sari or pall as a

mark of respect for the family elders. However, suchconventions have subsided gradually with the passage of

time. They are worn with immense poise and perfection

especially during Social occasions and festivals. Saris areworn over petticoats or long skirts tied at the waist with

cords which help in keeping the sari tightly fastened

about the waist. The exquisite beauty of a saree is further enhanced when it isaccessorised aptly with a blouse. At present, blouses are available in multitudes of

fashionable patterns which when teamed with a saree does wonders to the attire. The

salwar kameez is nowadays equally popular among the Bengali women as the sarees.

Salwars are loosely fitted trousers worn with a kameez or long tunic. During weddingceremonies however, the Bengali women usually resort to the traditional Banarasi sarees

in shades of red coupled with a golden veil to cover their heads. Ornamented with

glittering stones and detailed threadwork, sarees are characteristic of the refined Bengaliwoman of today.

In West Bengal, sarees are primarily woven in cotton and silk. These sarees have beennamed primarily after their weaving techniques. The traditional weavers or tantis of West

Bengal are reputed worldwide because of the quality of fabric spun and their intricate

threadwork. In the various districts of West Bengal like Murshidabad , Malda, Nadia,

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Birbhum, Bankura and Hooghly, different varieties of sarees are woven with supreme

efficiency and dedication. Bengal silk is famous for its refined quality and texture. Earlier,the cultivation of mulberry was common in almost every corner of Bengal. However, at

present it is concentrated mostly in the districts of Birbhum, Murshidabad and Malda. The

town of Baluchar located in Murshidabad is famed for the incredible threadwork on silk

called Baluchari . The Baluchari sarees are noted for their elaborate designing in thepallu and borders with prominent motifs of a specific kind known

as kalka. These motifs are woven with silver zari and often displayPuranic tales. The kalka motif can be observed in the Garad and

Korial sarees as well, which are variants of the Baluchari and are

woven in silk. While the silk Baluchari sarees are renownedinternationally, Baluchari weaves on the cotton sarees are no less

unique. Jamdani sarees of West Bengal are extremely popular

though different variations of Jamdani are also available across the

border in Bangladesh. The term Jamdani primarily refers to aform of cotton called muslin or mul mul. Muslin has immense

finesse and they are woven into different floral and geometric

patterns on various forms of silk, like tussar.In West Bengal, the Jamdani sarees areavailable in a variety of colors and are favored by the modern Bengali woman because of

its light texture. In the district of Nadia, the rural community of Shantipur is well-known

for the superior quality of Shantipuri Jamdani sarees that display delicate threadwork. Thedistricts of West Bengal are also home to the very prevalent Tangai sarees. It derives its

name from the village of Tangail in Bangladesh where the traditional weavers resided.

However, since the post-British era, most of the artisans are residents of Samudragarh,

Fulia, Sainthia, Dainhat and Dhatrigram of West Bengal. The Tangail sarees arecharacterised by their use of diverse colour patterns which produce a novel effect called

meekari. Some of the most prevalent motifs used in these sarees are lamp and lotus

imageries. Another variation of the Jamdani saree is the Dhaniakhali Jamdani. It isavailable in brighter shades and is characterised by extended wide borders, often referred

to as maatha or beluaari paar. This variant of Jamdani is affordably priced and hence

used commonly by the women in West Bengal. It is interesting to note that theDhaniakhali aarong gained popularity due to their utilization in dhotis for men.

Apart from these traditional handlooms, West Bengal is well-known for its delicate and

fine threadwork known as kantha . The kantha stitch is a supreme work of art andrequires utmost concentration and meticulousness. Initially, it referred to the needlework

done on coloured patchwork coverlets put together from redundant

apparels. These quilts were to serve as covers during the winter.

However, now the kantha stitch has been incorporated for use ondesigning clothing garments like sarees and has gained immense

popularity.

West Bengal is also home to plenty of tribes who displayenormous variety with reference to their costumes. The men of the

Magh tribe, for instance, cover their heads with a special form of

headgear commonly referred to as goungpoung during the festiveseason. This is accompanied by the prakha angyi which is a fitted

coat wrapped over the shirt. Body art or tattoos are quite popular among them as well as

the Mahli tribesmen of West Bengal.

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The costumes of West Bengal are suitably accessorized by exquisitely designed jewellery

which is indigenous to its rich culture. The class of artisans involved in the art of makingjewellery is known as swankars and they are eminent for their proficiency in mastering

the complex art of jewellery designing. Silver and gold along with alloys of zinc and

precious stones were mostly used for jewellery production. While traditional designs are

still in vogue, recent trends dictate a preference towards lighter accessories.

Conventionally, there are various different kinds of accessories that are inclusive of aBengali womans trousseau. In weddings, mostly, women adorn their foreheads with a

thin string of small gold chain often strewn with pearls and precious stones. This is the

tikli . Gold chokers decorated with gems and diamonds are commonly worn by thewomen of West Bengal in social ceremonies. The women also embellish themselves with

a variety of bangles and bracelets like the mantasha and also the ratanchur which can

retrace its origin to the Mughal era. The tribal jewellery of West Bengal has also achieved

immense popularity because of its exclusivity. A supreme example here would be thedokra artworks. Dokra jewellery is produced by means of a process called cire perdue,

the most primitive mode of metal casting known.

Over the years, different civilizations have left their mark upon the culture of West

Bengal which finds its manifestation in the varied costumes and accessories of the people

of the State. With the progress of the passage of time, a shift towards western trends hasbeen noticed. Yet, such cross-cultural influences have by no means demeaned the worth

of the traditional garbs.

MOMUMENTS OF WEST BENGAL

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The heart of West Bengal or Kolkata was founded by the British and has a history of

around 400 years. The city of wonders - Kolkata is mentioned in the Ain-E-Akbari, whichis an encyclopedic work compiled by Abul Fazl, Prime Minister of Emperor Akbar. There

are very few old monuments in West Bengal of pre-British origin. However the British

constructed a handful of buildings for developmental purposes of the city. Some of these

constructions were integrally associated with the Indian freedom struggle and thus gavethem a monumental stature. Some of the prominent monuments among them are Howrah

Bridge, Victoria Memorial, Raj Bhawan, Shaheed Minar, BBD Bagh and Writers`Building.

Victoria Memorial , Kolkata Howrah Bridge is the symbol of modernization in WestBengal. This monumental structure has always been under focus of the lens men of the

50s and then immortalized in the Hindi movie with the similar name. A visit to Kolkata

begins at the Howrah Bridge. It is a 1500 ft single span suspension bridge over Hooghly

River that was completed in 1943. Three bridges are built on the Hooghly River butHowrah Bridge is the busiest one. The traffic density on this bridge is the maximum in the

world. Many watch the busy, swarming population on the Howrah Bridge by taking a

ferry in the Hooghly River or while the sidewalks of the bridge. The Bridge has beenrenamed as Rabindra Setu but the popular name is still the Howrah Bridge.

Victoria Memorial is an excellently crafted legacy of the British Raj, featuring a royalstatue of Queen Victoria made in bronze. Moreover, there are also two brass canons

protecting the statue and landscaped gardens with well-trimmed pathways. The pattern of

this Memorial was designed by Lord Curzon and was inaugurated in 1921 by the Prince

of Wales. The Memorial possesses marble statues, galleries stacked with British Rajmemorabilia, elegantly crafted domes. The paranormal light and sound shows are

organized in the evening. The memorial is closed on Mondays for maintenance purpose.

Raj Bhawan was built in the 1800 and is a superb instance of Gothic architecture in West

Bengal. The British Governor General of India used Raj Bhawan as his residence and

office complex. Today Raj Bhawan happens to be the office complex and residence of theGovernor of West Bengal. The entry to the place is strictly restricted and public entry is

generally prohibited.

Saheed Minar of West Bengal Saheed Minar is the `Monument of Martyrs` and rise upto

a height of almost 158 feets with an Egyptian style minaret with a surmounting dome on

top. The monument commemorates British Army`s victory in the battle against Nepalese

Army in 1814. Saheed Minar was originally named Octarloni Monument on the name ofthe British General David Octarloni who was the leader of the battle. Associated with the

Indian Freedom Movement, Saheed Minar was the venue for frequent political seminars.

After the Indian Independence the Octarloni Monument was renamed as Shahid Minar asa mark of respect for the freedom fighters and its association in the freedom struggle. The

balcony in the dome at the top of the monument offers a panoramic scene of Kolkata.

BBD Bagh is a small place located to the south of Rabindra Setu. The pond called the Lal

Dighi in the middle of the garden was once the main source of water to the nearby areas.

The place is now known as Dalhousie Square or Tank Square or Lal Dighi Square. The

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British immortalized the place by making the sport of execution of three Indian freedom

fighters, Benoy, Badal and Dinesh who went forth to protest the opposing party for thepartition of Bengal. The name BBD was derived from the first letters of the three names

of the martyrs.

Writer`s Building is build based on the European architecture. This red colored buildingdates back to the 17th century and is well maintained as the office of the State Chief

Minister. Writer`s Building was originally built to accommodate the clerical andadministrative staff of the East India Company. However, the spectacular one storey

building in BBD Bagh was later expanded to let in more staff. The Fort William College

of Calcutta was initially located here. Today the Chief Minister Office complex has threemore colossal buildings, which accommodate around 6000 office workers to carry out the

affairs of the state.

St Paul`s Cathedral is the Anglican Cathedral of KolkataSt Paul`s Cathedral is theAnglican Cathedral of Kolkata, built in 1847 and stands adjacent to the Birla Planetarium.

It is 65m high. Marble Palace stands on Muktarambabu Street off Chittaranjan Avenue in

North Kolkata. Marble Palace is famous for its marble walls and floors, paintings, antiquecollections, rare birds, floor to ceiling mirrors and marble statues. This monument

remains closed on Mondays and Thursdays. National Library was initially called the

Vice-Regal House. It is one of the largest libraries with the unique collections of vintagebooks and manuscripts in Asia. The library is located opposite to the Zoological Gardens

of Alipore.

Kolkata High Court is the highest seat of judiciary in West Bengal. It is one of the oldestin India that dates back to the year 1872. Kolkata High Court is exquisitely built in the

Gothic style of architecture and is considered to be a landmark of Kolkata. An extension

was added later that perfectly blends with its original architectural symmetry. KolkataHigh Court is located near Eden Gardens.

Hazarduari Palace of Murshidabad was the palace of the Nawab. The literal meaning ofthis monument is the "palace with thousand doors". Built during the 1830s by General

Duncan McLeod of the Bengal Engineers, the structure features a banquet hall lined with

mirrors and a circular Durbar Hall. Hazarduari Palace comprises of 1000 doors, 114rooms and 8 galleries. The monument is now transformed into a museum with fine

exhibits, such as a gigantic chandelier, presented by Queen Victoria. The museum has a

library that house more than 10, 000 books. Curzon Gate, also known as Vijay Toran is a

majestic structure constructed by the king of Burdwan Maharaja Bijoy Chand Mahatab in1903 in the honor of Lord Curzon.

Tomb of Sher Afghan West Bengal Tomb of Sher Afghan is the last construction of theAfghan jagirdars in Bardhaman.Thousands of visitors visits the site during festive

occasion. Meghnad Saha Planetarium within the premises of Burdwan University is a

planetarium built by the help of Japanese government. It is well equipped with latesttechnological instruments for public shows since 1994.

Ramakrishna Math is a monastic organization and also a monument established by

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Sri Ramakrishna, the great 19th century saint of Bengal who is regarded as the Prophet of

the Modern Age. Swami Prabhupada established the International Society for KrishnaConsciousness (ISKCON) in 1966. ISKCON is a worldwide confederation of 10,000

temple devotees and 250,000 congregational devotees amidst the monument carrying out

Hare Krishna movement. Himalayan Mountaineering institute is a monument on the Birch

Hill of Darjeeling. The institute trains mountaineers and has a small museum withfascinating Himalayan peaks all around.

FESTIVALS OF WEST BENGALThe festivals of West Bengal can be redefined as a spiritual canvas of soul stirringcelebration.

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Mahalaya

The festivals of West Bengal would not only enliven

your spirits but also would be a warm welcome from the

monotonous schedule of your regular life. The festivals

of the state of West Bengal are in fact characterizedby joyous ceremonies, enthusiasm paralleled with

ample fun and celebration. Not only that during thefestive celebrations the rich and the poor alike

assemble together to enhance the spirit of their festive

moods. The festivals of West Bengal embody therobust and composite cultural heritage of our nation.

Various communities of the Indian subcontinent

celebrate as many as forty festivals with complete

communal concordance. The most important festivalof the Bengalis of West Bengal are:

Durga PujaDurga Puja Durga Puja is the most important festival of West Bengal. The familiar

sounds of drums or `Dhak`, the `Dhunuchi nach`, the mild fragrance of the Shiuli

blossoms gives a tug at every Bengali heart. This festival is observed in the months ofSeptember/October and in not only limited to Bengal

only. A spirit of euphoria sets in during the four-day

festive celebrations. The whole state is found toexplode into a riot of colors during the Durga Puja

celebrations. For the Bengali community the advent of

Goddess Durga along with her children from her icy

abode in Kailash to her maternal house is believed tobring prosperity among the rich and poor alike. The

religious rites and rituals are celebrated by all with

much veneration. Prasads are distributed everydayafter the daily rituals get over.

Naba BarshoNaba Barsho This much-awaited festival of West Bengal is the New Year celebration of

the Bengali community and is celebrated in the month

of Baisakh or in the month of April. It is an extremejoyous occasion for the Bengalis and the businessmen

in particular. It is a great time for visiting the templesand relatives, making offerings, buying new clothes,greeting people and much more.

DiwaliThe worship of Goddess Kali makes the festival of

Diwali in the state of West Bengal very unique. The

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houses and temples all over the state are vivaciously decorated and lit with oil lamps,

candles or `diyas`. All the family members gather around in the evening for the worshipof Goddess Lakshmi. In this state the Diwali festival stretches over a period of three days.

The first two days mainly comprises of feasting, gambling, drinking, family

foregatherings, lighting of fire crackers and other such activities. The celebrations and

lights are much less on the final day of Amavasya. Exchange of gifts and greetings alsoform a vital part of the festivities.

HoliHoli The festive celebration of Holi in the state of West Bengal is almost similar to that of

Orissa except for some minor aspects. The other names by which the festival of Holi ispopular in this state are `Dol Purnima`, `Vasant Utsav`. This festival was started in this

state by the far-famed pet laureate Rabindranath Tagore at the University of Shantiniketan

of which he was the pioneer. The youth of the state not only welcomes the season ofspring with colors and sweets but also by chanting of

hymns and other devotional songs. Holika is burnt in the

evening as the symbol of the victory of good over evil.

Rath YatraThe Rath Yatra festival celebrated in the region of

Mahesh few miles away from Calcutta in the state ofWest Bengal attracts lakhs of tourists from all over the

state as well as the country. This day is considered as

very auspicious and marks the start of the sowing seasonfor the monsoon crop throughout Eastern India. Grand

fairs are held throughout the state.

Saraswati PujaSaraswati Puja This is one of the most devotional

festivals of West Bengal and the worship of GoddessSaraswati is held at a time when the winter comes to an

end and the spring begins. A midst the pleasant weather

the worship of Goddess Saraswati starts early in themorning with `aarti`. The chanting of various `mantras`

marks the beginning of the `arti` and `boi puja` also

forms an important aspect. This festival is celebrated in

all schools and colleges and the youth can be seenparticipating in the puja with much enthusiasm. It is also

marked as the day of eating plums.

JanmashtamiThis festival is celebrated in West Bengal with much

exuberance and ebullience to mark the birth of the Lordof Love, Krishna. It falls on the day of Ashtami in the

Sharavan month according to the Hindu calendar. In the

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Krishna temples Rasila is performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and to

commemorate his love for Radha.

Rakhi/RakshabandhanRakhi/Rakshabandhan This is one of the popular festivals of

West Bengal and marks the love and affection between brothersand sisters. On this special day the sisters tie a colorful band on

the wrists of their brothers with the belief that this will bringpeace, success and good health to their brothers` life throughout

the year. The brothers also take a vow on their part to protect

their sister against all perils. They also present theirsisters with some gifts as a token of love.

Bhratri DwitiyaThis festival is celebrated in the state of West Bengalwith as much exuberance as in the other states. It is a

festival purely dedicated to the love and affection

between brothers and sisters. Brothers bless theirsisters and also promise to protect them from all

hardships. The celebration of Bhratri Dwitiya or

Bhaiya Dooj in this state can be redefined as a bond

that speaks of sensitivity and timeless relationship.

Jagaddhatri PujaJagaddhatri Puja This festival is celebrated with much fun and frolic in the Bengali monthof Kartick or in the English month of November. In the region of Chandannagar, near

Kolkata huge pandals are built and decorated with lights. The illumination part makes the

festive celebrations of Chandannagar rightly take pride

in its highly rich heritage and tradition of art andculture. This festival bridges the past and the present.

Muslim FestivalsThe Muslim festivals are celebrated in the state ofWest Bengal with much fun and vigor. The principal

Islam festivals of West Bengal are Muharrum, Iduzzoha, Id-Ul-Fitr and the birthday of

the prophet.

Muharrum

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This is one of the special Muslim festivals of West Bengal and commemorates the

martyrdom of the prophet`s grandsons, Hasan and Hussain in the battle of Karbala inArabia. The Sunni sect of Muslims carries on a warlike procession enacting mock fights

and exhibitions of prowess. The Shia sect of Muslims also takes out processions of

mourning with men and women all dressed in black and singing especially composed

elegies.

Id-Ul-FitrId-Ul-Fitr This is one of the most important Muslim festivals of West Bengal and is

celebrated in the state with as much fervor and enthusiasm as it is

celebrated all over the country. This propitious festival marks theend of the month of Ramzan. After a full month of fasting the

Muslims of West Bengal look forward to the festive celebration

with a heart full of cheerful ideas. They prepare elaborate feasts andorganize fairs for rejoicing and enjoyment. The Muslims also

assemble for religious discourses, which are regarded as a

main part of the observances.

IduzzohaThis festival is also known as Id-Ul-Korbab or Bakri-Id and is

one of the compulsory Muslim festivals of West Bengal.Animal sacrifice is one of the chief features of this festival.

The mythological basis of the observance is related to Prophet

Abraham of the Old Testament.

ChristmasChristmasThis is the most splendid Christian festival of West Bengal. In the `City of Joy`the Christmas festivities continues till the New Year. From the month of November itself,

part of the Maidan in central Kolkata is converted in to fairgrounds. Brightly decorated

Christmas trees can be observed in the houses of many and also the churches. The city isresonant with an assortment of fairs and cultural performances. The spirit of Christmas

comes alive in Christmas carols that rend the air.

Dances of West Bengal

The culture of West Bengal is renowned, worldwide, for its

richness and variety. The cuisines, music, costumes, language

and wonderful dances of the state are important constituentsof its rich and varied culture. The folk dance forms of West

Bengal are known for their beauty and fervor. The dance encyclopedia of this rich culture

includes a wide variety within itself. Each region of the state has something different toexhibit. Altogether, it forms a wonderful combination of varied dance forms. Here, we

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will provide you information on the six most popular dance forms of West Bengal.

Folk Dances of West BengalBrita Dance

The land of West Bengal is famous for its festive culture

and adorable art. Music and beats run in the veins of

Bengali people. There are several kinds of folk music anddances prevalent in various parts of the state. Amongst the

chosen few, the Brita Dance, also known as Vrita Dance, isconsidered to be very special.

Gambhira Dance

The folk dances of West Bengal hold a special place inBengali culture. They complement the beautiful culture of the state, by their colorfulness

and festivity. Initially, the folk dances were either agricultural or devotional. Gradually,

the agricultural dances gave place to dances more inclined towards devotion and religion.

One of the famous devotional dances of Bengal is Gambhira.

Chhau Dance

Chhau Dance is one of the most renowned tribal martialdances of India. The dance is known as Seraikella Chau in

Jharkhand, Mayurbhanj Chau in Orissa and Purulia Chhau

in West Bengal. Since the dance is supposed to haveoriginated in the Purulia district of Bengal, it is known as

such in the state. Purulia Chhau dance differs quite a lot

from its counterparts.

Santhal DanceSanthal is one of the most abundantly found tribes in

India. A major chunk of this tribe can be found in West

Bengal and Jharkhand. Santhal tribe has a rich culturallineage and immense solidarity. Its members are basically

the devotees of 'Thakurji', the deity they believe created

this world. They move to the beats of music, to celebratethe glory of nature, raise a message and offer prayers.

Tusu DanceWest Bengal is a land of rich culture and lots of festivity.Almost every region in the state has a specific folk dance

and music attached to it. These folk traditions are

basically related to some specific season of festival. The

Tusu Dance of Birbhum district is one of them. It isbasically performed in the month of Pausa, during the

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Gregorian months of December and January.

Lathi Dance

Dance is a unique art of expression. Be it celebration, remorse, anger, love or pain, dance

moves can clearly define every expression. Talking about the Lathi dance of WestBengal, performed on Muharram, it confines within itself the feeling of remorse and

anger, associated with this Muslim festival. During the first ten days of Muharram, the

Lathi players display their art at several places.

Wildlife of West Bengal

West Bengals wild life offers a fascinating diversity of terrain, flora and fauna. It is a

delight for nature lovers. It is the home to the World Heritage Site Sundarbans.

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Sundarbans owes its name to the Sundari trees which is found in abundance in this area.

The Sunderbans harbors jungle cats, fishing cats, Axis deer, wild boar, Rhesus monkeys,

mongooses and the largest estuarine crocodiles in the world. It is the breeding ground for

a large number of birds like the Heron, Egret, Cormorant, Fishing Eagle, White Bellied

Sea Eagle, Seagull, Tern,

Kingfisher as well as migratory

birds like Whimprel, Black-tailed

Godwit, Little Stint, Eastern Knot,

Curlew, Sandpiper, Golden Plover,

Pintail, White-eyed Pochard and

also Whistling teal. Here, one can

discover a wide variety of aquatic

and reptile life forms such as the

Olive Ridley sea turtle, hard-shelled

Batgur Terrapin, Pythons, King cobra, Chequered killback, Monitor and lizards including

the Salvatore lizards. In addition to the Bengal tiger, the Sundarbans host many other

endangered species like the Ganges River Dolphin, river terrapin, estuarine crocodile etc.

The mangrove forest also acts as a natural fish nursery, supporting coastal fishes along the

Bay of Bengal.

The forested area of Northern West Bengal presents overabundance wildlife. Here a land

that stretches for 130 kms allows nature to lavish all her boundaries. A lot of wildlife canalso be found in the Dooars. Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary situated in Alipurduar Sub-

Division of Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal is about 124 km from Siliguri. This

sanctuary was constituted for the protection of Wild Life, particularly one-horned rhinos,

an animal threatened with extinction. The forest is mainly savannah covered with tall

elephant grasses. The wild life, in addition to one-horned rhinos, consists of Royal Bengal

Tigers, wild elephants, deer, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer and hog deer, wild pig,

bisons and a number of birds, pea fowls. Elephant safaris can be enjoyed at the Sanctuary.

There are five national parks in the state Sundarbans National Park, Buxa Tiger

Reserve, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park and Singalila National

Park. Wildlife includes the Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephants, deer, bison, leopards,

gaur, and crocodiles. The state is also rich in bird life. Migratory birds come to the state

during the winter. The high altitude forests like Singalila National Park shelter barking

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deer, red panda, chinkara, takin, serow, pangolin, minivet and Kalij pheasants. Wildlife in

these protected areas includes the Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephants, deer, bison,

leopards, gaur, and crocodiles. The state is also rich in bird life. The high altitude forests

like Singalila National Park shelter barking deer, red panda, chinkara, takin, serow,

pangolin, minivet and Kalij pheasants.

BIBLOGRAPHY

www.google.com

www.yahoo.com

Traditional Indian costumes

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CONCULSIONIn conclusion we can say that West Bengal is cultural center. it has a rich culture, art &

craft, museum, fairs and festivals, music & dances, traditional costumes and wildlife etc. I

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learnt a while making this report. I am very much inspired from embroidery and art &

craft of west Bengal.

Documents

1West Bengal Profile