Craft & Culture

 

MER DANCE

The dances of Bharwad, Ayer and Kanbi community reflect their manliness, whereas the dances of Mer communities attract the most due to their stout physical appearance and fighting spirit that is reflected in their dance. There is no difference left behind in young or old while they come to a dance. The movement of their feet is very fast, but they lack in delicacy and fluidity. Their steppings are like the soldiers and they apply considerable force in striking the sticks. Dancing Mer hit the sticks in the air like swords. Some fourty men bend their bodies in uniform rhythm. They jump upto 3 to 4 feet while dancing. They take dance very seriously. They get involved in it. Their spirited nature is reflected in their performance. They have still preserved this heritage of traditional folk art.

SAMAI DANCE

Samai dance is associated with traditional brass lamps, a Goan handicraft. The performance depends upon the gymnastic skill in holding the lamp on the head during variety of movements of the body on the accompaniment of folk musical instruments like Ghumat, Samel, Zanj, Shehnai & Surt. The dance is presented by Goan peasant community.

KALBELIA

Kalbelia is a nomadic group of Rajasthan whose primary occupation was ensnaring snakes and trading snake venom. 'Been' and 'Daf' are the traditional instruments of these people belonging to the 'Nath' sect. During social and ceremonial occasions folk songs are sung and the women dance as if inspired, to the rhythmic beat of the 'daf' and the plaintive notes of the 'been' which highlights the unparalleled virtuosity of the dancers often reminicent of the graceful and supple movements of the snake.

BANJARA DANCE

The Banjaras, a nomadic people, reside in the border area of Southern Maharashtra. The attractively dressed womenfolk, laden with varied ornaments are a distinctive feature of this community which earns its

livelihood through hard work and physical labour. On festivals and auspicious occasions, the women bedecked in traditional finery dance alright in celebration. 'Jhanj' and 'Dapla' provide the musical accompaniment to the specific circular patterns which evolve with the show - tempo of the traditional songs.

THE ART OF TAR KASHI (WIRE EMBROIDERY), RAJASTHAN

Jaipur is well known for the art of Tar Kashi(wire embroidery) Many of the craftsman have won State Level and National level awards. Generally, the crafts men use the rose wood. First of all, the desired art form is sketched on the wood with a pencil. Then using the tools, the wood is dug. Afterwards, Brass, Copper or Silver wires are placed. The round shaped droplets of the wire used, are cut and fixed on the wood to get the desired art form. The painting is given a finishing touch by grating the metal cube and filling the painting with these shavings. As a result, the art takes a shining look and a appealing shape. In this art work of Tar Kashi, minute and intricate depiction of flowers, fish, birds and animals, dancing postures of Radha and Krishna, Ganeshji, Vishwakarama, dancing peacocks, various poses of dance and dresses are done. The creatively as well as the neatness of the work done by the artist makes this art stand apart among the other crafts.

FOLK PAINTING, GUJARAT

The world 'Folk' has many meanings at present. For some 'folk' means those people, community, castes, groups that are relatively unexposed to western culture. Their culture, thinking, traditions, dress is ancient, some believe 'folk' represent those people who live in villages but their art, culture has remained untouched by external culture. They live in village but their culture is not ancient. They are different from ancient people. They practice religion, follow norms of society, customs and traditions, wear traditional dresses, eat traditional food, think traditionlly yet they are influenced by social, economic and geographical effects living in Rural areas. Some believe 'folk' means common people whether living in a village or a city. The only special feature is that they follow their traditional dresses, culture, thinking, behaviour as a representative of the culture of the place to which they belong.

 
   
 

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