Introduction:

Rajasthan has a rich heritage of its peculiar Art Culture & Architecture.

Many of these art forms have survived through ages and are even part

of present culture of Rajasthan. The architectural beauty of Rajasthan

is world renowned, forts, palaces, havelis, tombs, cenotaph and

sculptures present across the geography of state, reveal the blend of

multiple dynasties that ruled the ancient lands. The glittering

jewellery and attractive handicrafts of Rajasthan have caught the

fantasy of the people around the world.

Rajasthan has a tradition of highly cultivated music & dance forms.

The music is uncomplicated, raw and songs depict daily chores. The

Kalbelia dance of Jaisalmer and Ghoomar dance from Udaipur have

gained recognition internationally. Folk music is an integral part of

Rajasthani culture. Ballads, Bhopas relate heroic deeds, love stories

through folk songs.

Rajasthan is also famous for textiles, semi-precious stone work and its

traditional & colorful handicrafts. Rajasthan is also one of the cultural

centres for miniature painting art with its unique Rajasthani or

Rajputana School of painting.

Fair and Festival

Rajasthan is a land of fairs & festivals, but before we can get

understanding of these it is essential to learn the names of Indian

Seasons & months, as the India festivals & fairs are organized based

on Hindi calendar, which is LUNAR.

In Hindu calendar, year begins with 1- Chaitra:

First day after new moon (Amavsya)

New Year of Vikram Samvat (2073 in 2016)

New Year of Saka Samvat (Official Government calendar)

1 Chaitra = 22 march (Normal year) & 21 March (Leap year)

Chaitra = 30 days (normal year) & 31 days (Leap year)

Festivals and Fairs of Rajasthan in Chaitra

Festival: Gangor

Worship of Eser ji & Gauri ji made of clay.

16 days festival, Main Celebration: Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota

Colonel Todd described Gangor of Udaipur

Fairs: Karni Mata Mela (I) – Bada – in Nokha, Bikaner – from Shukla –

1st -10th

Lakhi Mela at Mahavir Ji, Sawai madhopur from Chaitra Shuka

1st – Vaisakha Krishna 3rd

Kaila Devi Mela at Sawai madhopur from Shukla – 8th (main)

Total: Krishna 12th –Shukla 12th

Festivals & Fairs of Rajasthan in Vaisakha: Brith Hari Mela in Alwar

Festivals & Fairs of Rajasthan in Bhadra:Baba Ramdev Ji ka Mela at

Runicha – Pokaran- Jaisalmer from Shukla Paksh – 2nd -11th Brithari

Mela(II) in Alwar

Karjali Teej mela in Bundi on 3rd

Festivals & Fairs of Rajasthan in Ashwin: Karni Mata Mela – in Nokh,

Bikaner – from Sukla 1st -10th

Festivals & Fairs of Rajasthan in Kartik: Kapil Muni Mela in Kolayat

Bikaner on Kartik Purnima

Puskar Mela in Pushkar, Ajmer on Kartik Purnima

Beneshwar Mela in Beneshwar, Dungarpur – on Purnima

(Shivaratri)

Festivals & Fairs of Rajasthan in Phalguna: Khatu Shyam ji Mela – in

Sikar – from Shukla 10th -12th

Camel Festival, Bikaner

The camel festival is organised by the Department of Tourism in

January every year in Bikaner.

Mewar Festival, Udaipur

This 18-day festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring and

coincides with the festival of Gangaur.

Teej Festival, Jaipur

Held during the monsoons in July Teej is also dedicated to Lord Shiva

and Parvati.

Chandrabhaga Fair, Jhalawar

This three-day fair is held at Jhalrapatan near Jhalawar either in

November or December.

Kolyat Fair, Bikaner

This place is the sacred site where Kapil Muni is supposed to have

meditated.

Ghoomar Dance

Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan and also a State

Dance.

Location: Across Rajasthan

Performed by: Originally by Bhil Community, adopted by different

communities including Rajputs (Women).

Performance Occasions: Rajput Marriages

Features: Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan and also a

State Dance.

Location: Across Rajasthan

Chari Dance

Performed By: Women from Gujjar Community

Performance Occasions: Marriage occasions, on the birth of a male

child or any big festival celebration.

This folk dance is performed by the Kamada tribes who are traditional

snake charmers.

Location: Ramdevra, Didwana, Dungarpur, Udaipur

Performed By: Woman from Kamad tribe while sitting on the floor

before Baba Ramdeo’s image

Terah Taali

Performance Occasions: in honor the folk hero, Baba Ramdeo

Features: The women have 13 ‘manjeeras‘(little brass discs) tied to

the various parts of their body, which they strike with the ones they

hold in their hand.

Often a sword is also used by the professional Terah Taali dancer and

also a pot on her to make the dance more attractive.

Male artists sings local Rajasthani folk songs as a background music

and play different instruments like pakhwaja, dholak jhanjhar,

Sarangi, harmonium etc.

Famous Persons associated with dance form: Mangi Bai, Mohini

Narayani, laxman das Kamad

Kalbelia Folk Dance:

Kalbelia dance is included in UNESCO’s list of the Cultural Heritage of

Humanity from the year 2010

Kalbelia Location: Pali district, Ajmer, Chittorgarh and Udaipur district.

Performed By: Women from Kalbelia community.

Performance Occasions: Kalbelia songs are based on stories taken

from folklore and mythology and special dances are performed during

Holi.

Features: The dancers are women in flowing black skirts who dance

and swirl, replicating the movements of a serpent.

The cloths are mixed in red and black hues and embroidered in unique

patterns.

Kalbelia dance has a traditional musical instruments which is Poongi

also called been. Other traditional musical instruments used by

Kalbelia tribe in Kalbelia dance are Dufli, Morchang, Dholak, Khanjari

and Khuralio.

Ivory Works (Haathi dant)

Items include: Jewellery, Powder boxes, jewellery boxes, cufflinks,

lamps, artistic decorations, idols of gods and goddess, Ivory Works

rajasthan brooches.

Udaipur – most famous.

Jodhpur – Black, green & Red strips bangles.

Meenakari:

Jaipur is famous worldwide for Meenakari on Jewellary.

Meenakari Art was imported from Lahore for first time under reign

of Man Singh I (1589-1614)

Nathdwara is also famous

Raitwali area of Kota – Meenakari is done on glass

Bikaner & Pratapgarh also has significant skills

Usta Art

Golden Meenakari work on Camel leather is known as usta Art.

The art was developed by Padam Shri Hissayamuddin Usta from

Bikaner.

Camel hide training Center in Bikaner is an institution for Usta Art.

Lac Works

Famous: Jaipur & Jodhpur

Sawai madhopur, Laxmangarh (Sikar), Indragarh (Bundi) – Lac work on

wooden toys.

Jaipur, Hindon, Karauli – Lac bangles.

Mat & Carpet Works: Jaipur and Tonk are famous

Cotton & Wool are used for making fabric

For better quality and strong mattress the thread & knots used for

making fabric should be very fine (thin).

Carpets are also manufactured in Jaipur & Bikaner jails.

Salawas Village of Jodhpur is famous for carpets

While carpet manufacturing is enthusiastically followed in Jodhpur,

Nagaur, Tonk, Barmer, Bhilwara, Shahpura, Kekari & Malpura.

Textile: Gota Work: Jaipur & Khandela (Sikar) are famous

Zari Work Jaipur

Kota Doria

Kota Doria is a fabric with unique blend of cotton and silk in a square

check pattern.

The checked pattern is termed as ‘khat’

The silk provides the shine while the cotton provides strength to

the fabric.

Craft originated in Mysore and then shifted to Kaithun Village near

Kota. Hence, the Saris came to be known as Kota-Mansuria.

Jaipuri Quilt (Rajai)

Specialty: Very Low Weight but high insulating (very warm).

Appliqué Work:

In this art different pieces of cloth are fixed together. The interesting

color, shape and pattern combinations against contrasting

background catch the eye.

Hand-block prints:

Bagru Print, Jaipur

This print is similar to Sanganeri print but while Sanganeri print has

white field, Bagru prints have green fields.

Only Natural colors are used in Bagru Prints

Alijarin (Ajrak) Print, Barmer

Mostly red and blue colors are used for printing

Tie and dye: Bandani, Batik, Mothra, Ekdali, Shikari, Cheent.

Bandhej, Jaipur

Cloth is tied and then colored and when the knot is opened different

designs appear on cloth.

Jhajam (Carpets)

Printed in Chittor are famous.

Lehriya – Jaipur

Chunri – Jodhpur

Blue Pottery

There are many craftsmen in Jaipur who prepare blue pottery in

Rajasthan by using blue, green and white colors.

Wooden Furniture

Carved wooden furniture of different styles and design are made in

different parts of the state with motif and fine design.

Rajasthan Quilts

The unique selling point of these Jaipuri quilts or Jaipur rajais is that

these are light and soft as well as of high quality.

Mojaris/Jutis

These are beautifully embroidered pieces with varied patterns and

designs. Jodhpur and Jaipur manufactures some very pretty Mojaris

and juti.

Marble Crafts

This craft produces marble carved wall hangings, sculptures, statues,

furniture, flower vases, fireplaces, statues, and so on.

Ivory

Ivory bangles of Rajasthan are popular crafts of the state.

Rajasthani Paintings

Rajput School of Painting or Rajasthani Painting

Rajasthani Painting Themes – events of epics like the Ramayana and

the Mahabharata, Krishna’s life, beautiful landscapes, and humans

Precious stones, Gold and silver were used

Mughal Influence

Dominance of Chaurapanchasika group style in Indian Rajasthani

Paintings starting from the 16th century, when the Rajput Painting

originated, numerous schools emerged, including: Mewar School

Chavand, Nathdwara, Devgarh, Udaipur and Sawar.

Marwar School

The Kishangarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali and Ghanerao styles

Hadoti School: Kota, Bundi and Jhalawar styles

Dhundar School: Amber, Jaipur, Sehkhawati and Uniara styles

Pahari School Himachal (kangra & Kullu) & Jammu and Kashmir

Rajasthani Painting: MEWAR

Drawing is bold and the colours are bright and contrasting.

Text of the painting is written in black on the top against the yellow

ground.

Rajasthani Painting: BUNDI

Very close to the Mewar style

Rich and glowing colours, the rising sun in golden color, crimson-red

horizon, overlapping and semi-naturalistic trees

Mughal influence is visible in the refined drawing of the faces.

Rajasthani Painting: KOTA

Very much akin to the Bundi style

Themes of tiger and bear hunt were very popular at Kotah.

Most of the space is occupied by the hilly jungle which has been

rendered with a unique charm.

Rajasthani Painting: AMBER – JAIPUR

This school of painting originated at Amber but later shifted to Jaipur,

the new capital.

There are a fairly large number of portraits of the Jaipur rulers

Rajasthani Painting: MARWAR

Executed in a primitive and vigorous folk style completely

uninfluenced by the Mughal style. A large number of miniatures

comprising portraits, court scenes, series of the Ragamala and the

Baramasa, etc. were executed from the 17th to 19th centuries at

several centres of painting like Pali, Jodhpur and Nagour etc. in

Marwar.

Rajasthani Painting: BIKANER

Bikaner had close relations with the Mughal.

Some of the Mughal artists were given patronage by the Bikaner court

responsible for the introduction of a new style of painting having

much similarity with the Mughal and the Deccani styles.

Rajasthani Painting: KISHENGARH

Developed under the patronage of Raja Savant Singh (1748-1757

A.D.), who wrote devotional poetry in praise of Krishna master

painter Nihal Chand who, in his works, has been able to create visual

images of his master’s lyrical compositions.

Rajasthan Paintings including murals, frescoes and miniature

paintings are popular crafts of the state.

Paintings

Miniature Paintings

The art of Miniature painting was introduced to the land of India by

the Mughal.

Gemstone Paintings

In This painting style shades of color are provided by the semi

precious stones instead of artificial or vegetable colors.

Phad Paintings

Paintings on cloth portraying the epic lives of the local hero-gods are

popularly known as Phad paintings.

Kajali Paintings

No brushes are used in Kajali painting. The only tools used are hand

and cloth.

Kishangarh Paintings

(Bani Thani) Bani Thani is an Indian painting in the Kishangarh School

of paintings.

Lok Devtas and Saints of Rajasthan

Introduction:

With start of medieval period, Hinduism started facing both internal

and external threat. Internal threat came from short-comings of

Hindu religion like rigidity of caste system etc and external challenge

came from the introduction of new religion of Islam.

The age saw development of a new path of Bhakti which was built on

rooting out evils of Hindu religion and promoting harmony. The path

of Bhakti grew as movement and spread across the country.

Saints of Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, the emergence of saint bhakts was witnessed from 16th

century to end of 18 century.

Bhakti Saints of Rajasthan

Dadu Dayal

Mira Bai

Sundar das

Rajjab

Bhakhan

Wajind

Raghavdas

Lal Das

Charan Das

Mavaji

Dadu Dayal

Believed to be born in 1544 in Samvat near Ahmadabad, Gujarat

In 1568, came to Sambhar & began to give sermons and “Dhunia”

Followers of Dadu Dayal made – Dadu Panth.

Naraina is the principal seat of Dadu Panthis. Here clothes & pothis of

Dadu ji are kept.

His teachings have been consolidated by his disciples – Dadudayal Ki

vani & Dadudayal-Ra-Duha.

Contemporary of Rana Pratap & Akbar. In 1575, met Akber and

influenced him by his views. Dadu Dayal stressed on faith in God and

Guru, knowledge of Self, love, morality, futility of casteism, truth and

simple life.

Virakt: Community of nomad disciples of Dadu.

Dadu khol: Cave on Bhairana hill in Naraina, where Dadu Dayal

enetered into Samadhi.

Followers of Dadu Dayal can be classified into 5 types:

Khalsa

Virakta

Sthandhari

Uttaradev

Khaki

Sunder Das

He was a disciple of Dadu Dayal.

Born in: 1596 in Dausa.

Sunderdas ji established Naga sect.

Wrote: Sunder vilas, Sunder Granthavali, Gyan Samudra, and

Sundersar. He is also known as Shankaracharya of Rajasthan.

Died in: 1707 (or in 1689) in Sangner, Jaipur.

Meera Bai

Born in Samvat 1573 at Kudki, Nagaur and was married to Bhojraj,

eldest son of Rana Sanga.

Her compositions include Teeka Raag Govind, Rukmani mangal, Teeka

on Geet-Govind, and Narsi Mehta Ni Mund.

Meera Bai established Pasi sect in Brindhavan (UP).

Meera was devotee of Krishna and treated him as her husband.

Lal Das

Born: In 1540 at Dholidoov village of Mewat on Shravana Krishna

Panchami.

Opposed superstitions prevailing in society & stressed on devotion &

purity.

Sermons are available in Laldas ji ki chetavaniyan.

Died: At Nagla village of Bharatpur. His Samadhi is at sherpur of

Alwar.

Major sites are in Alwar, Sherpur & Nagla.

Charan Das

Born in: Derha, near Alwar, in Rajasthan.

Author of around twenty works. Many of these are in verse and deal

with aspects of devotion, particularly relating to the worship of

Krishna.

Wrote commentaries on various Upanishads, particularly the Katha

Upanishad, and on specific yoga practices, especially Pranayama,

control of the breath.

Belived in harmony between Hinduism & Islam.

Mavaji

Considered incarnation of Vishnu.

Two disciples of Mavaji, Aji & Vaje built Laxmi Narayn temple at

confluence of Som & Mahi Rivers.

Rajjab Ji

Disciple of Dadu Dayal ji.

Born in: Pathan Patwar, Sanganer

Ancient seat in Sanganer known as Rajjab Dwar.

Authored Rajjab vani, Sarangi.

Bhakhan

Born in Narena

Low caste Muslim singer, entertain Dadu with his fascinating songs.

Wajind

Initially, a Pathan hunter.

Came under influence of Dadu and became follower.

Created literature for Dadu Panth.

Raghavdas

Dadu Panthi scholar

In 1660 A.D. wrote Bhaktamal.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti

Born in: 1143 in Sanjar, Iran

He became disciple of Khwaja Usman Harooni of Chistiya Order

(Silsila).

Came to India during reign of Iltumish and settled in Ajmer in 1233

A.D.

His shrine is open to all irrespective of religion, caste or creed and

especially for poor & needy; hence he is popularly known as Garib

Nawaz.

Died in Ajmer, his tomb is popularly known as The Dargah Sharif.