REET 2022: Heritage and Culture of Rajasthan

 We can find 26 Heritage sites in Rajasthan.

1. Jaipur
2. Udaipur
3. Jodhpur
4. Jaisalmer
5. Bikaner
6. Chittorgarh
7. Ajmer
8. Kumbhalgarh
9. Alwar
10. Dilwara Temple
11. Amer Fort
12. Ranakpur Temple
13. Eklingji Temple
14. Mandore Garden
15. Achalgarh Fort
16. Nahargarh Fort
17. Gajner Palace & Lake
18. Sadar Samand Lake
19. Osian
20. Khaba Fort
21. Khandar Fort
22. Kishangarh Fort
23. Merta
24. Bhangarh Fort
25. Neemrana Fort
26. Jaigarh Fort

Traditional Folk Dance Forms of Rajasthan

1. Ghoomar

Ghoomar is a famous dance of Rajasthan inhabited from the ancient days. This dance form is used to entertain the kings. Women in colourful attires and the dance moves by swaying & clapping the hands and twirling in rounds look very attractive and interesting to see. Now, this dance form is very famous throughout the nation and the world.

2. Bhavai Dance

Bhavai is a skilful and wonderful dance performance by the women balancing 6 to 7 brass or earthen pots on the head. To perform this traditional dance form one needs great effort and hard work. Apart from balancing the pots, they use to dance by placing their feet on a plate or on the edge of a weapon. 

3. Kalbelia

Kalbelia dance form popularly known as “Sapera Dance” or “Snake Charmer Dance” and is also recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is a tribal community dance formed by the tribes known as “Kalbelia”. Kalbelia is such a beautiful dance form women in variant colourful clothes forming curly and round line segments resembling a snake. And the background music to the dance performance is another great thing to experience.

4. Chari or Pot Dance

Chari is a traditional dance form by the Kishangarh and Saini communities which is followed during some special occasions like festivals. Women perform this dance form with a brass pot on the head and a lighted lamp in it. They balance the pot skillfully by dancing and making different patterns around the floor with ease.

5. Dandiya

Dandiya, is a colourful dance played by both men and women in Rajasthan. It is a very popular and simple dance played along with folk music by circling in rounds and playing with the sticks known as Dandiya sticks. Men and women dancing rhythmically according to the beats of music in vivid clothes look very colourful and impressive. This dance form is mostly performed during festivals and marriages.

6. Kachhi Ghodi

Kachhi Ghodi is a famous dance form by the men representing the stories of Bandits of the Shekhawati region During this dance form, men wear different traditional attires like dhoti, turbans, and kurtas and they perform the dance by riding on puppet horses. The dance form runs with the background songs related to Bandits and mock fights with swords.

7. Terah Taal

Terah Taal is the most ancient art of Rajasthan which is a very important and skilled dance form. The main part of this dance form is thirteen Manjeeras means small brass discs. These thirteen brass discs will be attached to the different parts of the body. When the dancer moves these discs make rhythmical sounds. Along with these, the dancer balances a sword in their mouth and pots on their head.  The dance will begin with the women on the floor attached to the manjeeras. Kamada tribes perform this dance form.

8. Gair

Gair is the famous folk dance form by the Bhil community and this dance performance mostly takes place during the festivals like Holi and Janmashtami. Both men and women perform this dance form in colourful traditional attires. Men look attractive in long skirts and also they handle sticks for rhythmic beats. The dance is performed in clockwise and anti-clockwise moves according to the music beats.

9. Fire dance

Fire dance is a dangerous and difficult folk dance form which is mostly habituated in desert areas. This dance form explains the lifestyle of Jasnathis of Churu and Bikaner.

10. Kathputli

Kathputli is a famous puppet dance show. Through the Kathputli puppet dance show, dancers narrate different mythological and tribal stories of the past. This puppet show showcases the rich culture and traditional values of ancient days. 

Traditional Folk Music of Rajasthan

1.Pabuji Ki Phach

Pabuji Ki Phach is a popular Rajasthani Folk music style in memory of the great folk hero Pabuji in the 14^th century who did a lot for the Bhopa community. Through this music form, they will describe the historic deeds of Pabuji.

2.Maand

Maand is one of the most popular music styles in Rajasthan. This music form is known for the classical touch of different ragas in India, describing the greatness of folk heroes and kings of the past times of Rajasthan through music.

3. Panihari

Panihari is a different musical form that came from distress and difficulty to find water in the desert areas. This folk music was composed by Rajasthani women by described the rushing rivers and waves in their songs. The songs of this music form praise for water and rain.

Arts and Crafts of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is famous around the world for its hand-printed textiles, furniture, leatherwork, jewellery, painting, pottery and metal craft. The use of lively colours and flamboyant, fantasy designs is distinctive in all forms of arts and crafts of Rajasthan. Rajasthani artists design embellished utensils, colourful attires, unique jewellery designs and embroidered shoes that infuse a new life and a cheerful look to the otherwise monotone of the desert sands.

Carpets and Dhurries:

Floor coverings like carpets, hand-woven durries and soft woollen druggets of Rajasthan are exported all over the world. Available in all sizes, the dhurrie is woven in Jaipur and also in the rural areas of Rajasthan. Bikaner and Jaisalmer are well known for woollen dhurries made of camel hair. Bikaner is also famous for its so-called jail carpets. Carpets like Persian carpets and Rajasthani hand-knotted carpets have geometric motifs and formal designs with a border and central motif. The motifs have indeed been localized and include peacocks and other local icons. Jaipur and Bikaner are believed to be the pioneer centres in carpet weaving.

Fabrics: Printed, dyed or embroidered fabrics of Rajasthan are known for their unique hues and tones of colour. Block printing, batik, tie and dye have become full-fledged artwork here. Each region has its own distinct motifs, choice of colours, and the way in which these colours are used. Bagru is known for earth colours and geometric patterns while Sanganeri clothes have bright colours and floral patterns.

Barmer and Jaisalmer are famous for their batik printing work. Sikar and Jodhpur are famous for intricate tie-and-dye or bandhani designs including chunari (dotted), lahariya (diagonal striped waves) and Mothra (large dots) prints. Bikaner, Sikar and Jhunjhunu are well known for the mirror work, embroidery work that is used to embellish the fabrics to produce elaborate designs of Rajasthani dresses.