Tuesday, January 26, 2016

GOA

Jagor Folk Dance
  • the traditional folk dance-drama
  • performed by the Hindu Kunbi and Christian Gauda community of Goa
  • why ? -- to seek the Devine Grace for protection and prosperity of the crop.
  • Literal meaning of Jagor is “jagran” or wakeful nights.
  • Belief ? -- The strong belief is that the night long performance, awakens the deities once a year and they continue to remain awake throughout the year guarding the village.

  • Perni Jagor is the ancient mask dance – drama of Goa, performed by Perni families, using well crafted and painted wooden masks, depicting various animals, birds, super natural power, deities, demons and social characters.
  • Gauda Jagor, is an impression of social life, that displays all the existing moods and modes of human characters. 
  • In some places, Jagor performances are held with participation of both Hindus and Christian community, whereby, characters are played by Hindus and musical support is provided by Christian artistes.


GUJARAT

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary: Asiatic Lions
  • The tableau depicts some rare and exotic varieties along with Sidi community, settled in the Gir forest, performing their traditional dance number.
About Asiatic Lions and Gir ! 


  • The only natural abode of Asiatic lions at the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is a distinct identity of Gujarat. 
  • The relentless efforts of the Government in collaborations with the cattle owners have established a unique ecological balance between the flora and fauna in the sanctuary. 
  • This has resulted in a sharp rise in the number of the endangered species to 523 !
  • The cohabitation of man and wildlife is an important component of the Lions Conservation Programme.
Siddi Community
  • As many as 31 species of mammals are found in the Gir and over 300 species of birds are also found in the Gir forest.

SIKKIM

Saga Dawa


  • The tableau depicts celebration of Buddha Jayanti in Sikkim, which is popularly called Saga Dawa. 

  • It is an important occasion which marks the Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and attainment of Nirvana or Moksha.
  • The Buddhist communities of Sikkim on this day take a religious procession carrying the chariot of Gautama Buddha and sacred Scriptures on their shoulder and enchant “Om Mane Padme Hum”

  • These Holy Scriptures are called “Kangyurtengyur”.
  • The prayer wheels in front of the trailor are religious symbol for doing prayer. 
  • The wheels rotates clockwise and contain rolls of paper having mantras written on them.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Mera Gaon Mera Jahan


  • The tableau of Jammu and Kashmir, depicts rural development through technology and economic activities, besides making the villages clean and green.
  • Mera Gaon Mera Jahan (my village my world) under Clean and Green Mission 2015-16 is the flagship scheme of the Government of India which aims at reaching ensuring sustainable rural development by making available environment friendly, latest technology.
  • Under the scheme, the Jammu and Kashmir State has adopted three villages i.e. Apple village of Kashmir, Apricot village of Ladakh and Basmati village of Jammu, to highlight different stages of seedlings, plantation, weeding, cleaning packing etc. 
  • The scheme also aims at creating awareness among the people about making their villages clean, green, healthy, polythene free, besides conserving natural resources.

RAJASTHAN

Hawa Mahal
  • The tableau showcases “Hawa Mahal” not as a monument, but as a “lively Building”, which is full of eye-catching activities throughout the day and night.
  • Grandeur of Jaipur and pride of Rajasthan, this huge structure is famous as “Palace of Winds” in the entire world and is a world heritage site.



  • It was built in 1799 by the King of Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and was designed by the architect Lal Chand Usta
  • He designed it in the form of the crown of Shri Krishna. 
  • Standing 50 feet high, this five storey huge building has 953 small windows known as “Jharokhas”. 
  • It reflects the striking fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture style.
  • In this tableau, Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh is shown in the front, while the replica of “Hawa Mahal” is shown in the rear side of the tableau. 
  • Some women are shown performing “Panihaarin” – the famous folk dance of Jaipur. 

  • Famous craft & arts stops are also showcased on the tableau along with some tourists.

CHANDIGARH

“Open to give, open to receive”
  • The tableau depicts the smart, green and dream city of Chandigarh.
  • Chandigarh, the dream city of India, was planned by the famous French Architect ‘Le Corbusier’. 

  • Picturesquely located at the foothills of Shivaliks, the conception of the city has been formulated on the basis of four major functions - Working, Care of the Body, Spirit and Circulation. 
  • It is known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture.
  • The Capitol Complex, the focal point, both visually and symbolically, is considered to be the most representative of Le-Corbusier’s work. 
  • The structure of the High Court is based on a simple system of columns, beams and slabs. 
  • The Chandigarh Legislative Assembly has 3 elements on the roof: the hyperboloid, the pyramid and the lift-tower. 
  • Le-Corbusier was big on symbols and it is said that the roofs sculptural elements are a reflection of the sun and the moon.
  • Corbusier defined the Open Hand as ‘a hand to give and a hand to receive’ and projected it as city’s official emblem dictating the ideology of the city.


TRIPURA

Unakoti Sculptures: A Bewitching Tourists’ Attraction
  • The tableau Unakoti, a Shiva pilgrimage site, located about 186 km away from Agartala and dates back to 7th to 9thcenturies AD. 

  • The word Unakoti, means one less than a crore.
  • The tableau Unakoti, a Shiva pilgrimage site, located about 186 km away from Agartala and dates back to 7th to 9thcenturies AD. 
  • The site consists of several huge vertical rock-cut carvings on a hillside. 
  • The site shows strong evidence of Buddhist Art along with Shiva head and imposing Ganesha figures, having a height of 30 feet. 
  • The rocky walls also have carved images of Hindu pantheon like, Durga and Vishnu. 
  • The Unakoti rock-cut carvings have the distinction of being the largest bas-relief sculpture in India.
  • Unakoti has been included in the tourism map of India as a remarkable tourists’ resort. 
  • Common pilgrims frequent the place and tourists from far and wide also converge in Unakoti with much enthusiasm.

ODISHA

The Glorious Tradition of Boita Bandana
  • The tableau of Odisha presents the maritime activities and glorious tradition of Boita-Bandana festival of ancient Odisha.
  • This more or less concentrates around the Sadhava tradition in Odisha, who were great maritime traders and the tableau depicts their traditions. 
  • Life size fiber statues depicting Sadhavas with boxes (Sindhuks) meant for storage of goods and precious materials adorn this portion. 

  • The Trolley portion carries the boat house and Sadhavas depicting life activities of trade.
  • Ancient Odisha, popularly known as Kalinga was the epicenter of the inland and foreign trade. 
  • The geographical setting of the State had supported the development of seaports like Tamralipti, Chelitalo, Palur, Pithunda along its coastline. 
  • The mariners of Kalinga were endowed with sound knowledge of navigation and had commercial, socio-cultural and political relations with South East Asian countries like Srilanka, Java, Sumatra, Bali, Borneo, China, Burma, Cambodia, Champa, Malaya and Thailand.


WEST BENGAL

Bauls of Bengal
  • The Bauls, a wandering minstrels community of Bengal, who follow a distinctive spiritual and musical tradition that had its roots in the Bhakti and Sufi movement.

  • The Baul genre, recognised among the ‘Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO. 
  • The folk singers, coming both from Hindu and Muslim communities, spread the ideals of peace, brotherhood and mystic philosophy through simple words and metaphors. 
  • Baul is not a religion, but rather a way of life. Ignoring all kinds of religious social stigma and social barriers, Bauls try to find their or ‘Monner Manush’ (the Infinite Self), through music.Ektara, Dotara, Khamak, Nupur, Premjuri, Dubki etc. are commonly used instruments of Baul music. 
  • Baul singers travel from one village to another or sometimes stay in ‘akharas’ or monasteries.
  • Traditionally, Baul songs talk about the relationship between man and the supreme Being and the ways to attain spiritual liberation. 
  • But in recent times, their music also conveys social messages and creates awareness about government schemes in villages of Bengal. 
  • They are an integral part of the Lok Prasar Prakalpa scheme of west Bengal, under which financial assistance is being provided to folk artistes.


BIHAR

Champaran Satyagrah
  • The tableau of Bihar State presents Champaran Movement of 1917 against the backdrop of the major role played by Mahatma Gandhi. 
  • The main portion of the tableau shows Mahatma Gandhi in his youth in the year 1917.
  • The trailer portion depicts the picture of complete atrocity of the Britishers, against poor farmers as shown. 
  • Use of violence and force against hapless farmers is shown in the side murals as well as the platform.
  • A depiction of indigo plantation around the main platform aptly sets the pace for the theme. 
  • The peasants of Champaran, were forced to grow the Indigo under the teenkathia system
  • Under which the peasants were forced to plant 3 out of 20 parts of his land with indigo. 
  • One local peasant leader, Rajkumar Shukla had invited Mahatma Gandhi to visit Champaran. 
  • Gandhiji arrived in Champaran but was ordered by the District Magistrate of Champaran, WB Heycock, to leave the district. 
  • Gandhiji refused and persisted and decided to commit Satyagraha. 
  • He proceeded towards the Champaran, finally succeeding in the movement and was called ‘Bapu’ since then.

KARNATAKA

Kodagu: The Coffee Land of Karnataka
  • The tableau depicts the erstwhile princely State of Karnataka, a major coffee producing district, and is the mainstay of India becoming one among the top six coffee producers in the world.
  • Women form the bulk of the labour force of roughly a million, who are directly or indirectly engaged in the industry.
  • Kodagu, the coffee land of Karnataka, set amidst misty hills, sandal-wood forests and vast tracts of coffee and tea plantations, is a picturesque sight to behold, inhabited by Kodava community with distinct culture and traditions.

MADHYA PRADESH

White Tiger of Madhya Pradesh
  • The tableau of Madhya Pradesh presents a model of this rare breed of White Tiger in wilderness, along with some tourists enjoying the flora and fauna in the natural habitat of the state.

  • Madhya Pradesh, with the largest forest cover in the country and one of the largest populations of tigers in the country, also has the honour of being the natural habitat of the rarest breed of tigers – the White Tiger. 
  • The White Tiger was first captured by king Martand Singh in the year 1951 in district of Rewa. All the White Tigers seen in the world are the progeny of that first captured tiger.
  • Now, Government of Madhya Pradesh is setting up the White Tiger Safari at a place called Mukundpur Satna near the city of Rewa, where the people will have the opportunity of watching the White Tigers in their natural surroundings.

CHHATTISGARH

Khairagarh Music and Art University
  • The tableau of Chhattisgarh depicts Khairagarh Music and Art University – one of the oldest universities in Asia dedicated to various forms of music, dance, fine arts and theatre.

  • Established in 1956, this university has made a strenuous effort to strike a balance between traditional and modern art in this era of globalization. 
  • The university is committed to develop music and fine arts as economically relevant career option among the students who come here from across the world.
  • Apart from education, the university provides research facility on wide range of subjects such as classical music, Indian classical musical instruments, folk dance, folk music, traditional sculpture and history of painting.
  • The front portion of the Chhattisgarh tableau presents a sculpture of Murlidhar prepared by students and teachers of the university. 
  • It also showcases the artistic building of the university along with various forms of art and music.

TAMILNADU

Todas
  • The tableau depicts Toda tribe of Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu identified as one of the six primitive tribal groups of the state. 
  • They speak a non-linguistic language and have unique appearance, manners and customs.



  • The Toda village is called a Mund. 
  • The huts are small and half barrel-shaped, with a small doorway. 
  • The village also has a unique hut, called “Tirierl” or dairy temple.
  • The sole occupation of Todas is Cattle-herding and dairy-work. 
  • The traditional garment of Todas consists of a single piece of cloth with red and black embroidery. 
  • Todas are vegetarians. 
  • The women makeup their hair with ringlet.
  • The mountain District of the Nilgiris is also home to the flowers called “Kurinji” which blooms once in 12 years.


UTTARAKHAND

Festival of Ramman

 

  • The Tableau depicts the festival of Ramman based on the story of ‘Ramayana’ in Uttarakhand having Narshingh Devta ‘God’ at the front of the tableau. 
  • The festival has been declared World Heritage in 2009 by UNESCO. 
  • Artists play the folk musical instrument of Uttarakhand “Bhankor” at the middle part of tableau and temple of Bhumyal God and The Himalaya at the back part are presented.
  • Some selected contexts of Ramayan are performed with folk style in Ramman. 
  • Dance is performed wearing the mask at Temple complex of Bhumyal God in night. 
  • There are masks of various epical, historical and imaginative characters. 
  • The masks are of two types. “Dhyo Pattar” and “Khyalari Pattar”. 
  • “Dhyo Pattar” mask and character is related to god. 
  • “Khyalari Pattar” are entertaining characters.
  • Ramman is series of various events of worships and rituals. 
  • Community Worship, Devyatra, Folk Drama, Dances, Songs, Comedies, Fairs etc are held here.

UTTAR PRADESH

Zardozi – the Unique Art of Embroidery


  • The tableau depicts Zardozi one of the ancient and lavish embroidery patronized in the past by the Nawabs of the Awadh and other royal people. 
  • This distinguished style of traditional Indian embroidery has been practiced and passed on from generations, in various parts of Uttar Pradesh. 
  • Zardozi is the main source of income for artisans of Lucknow and other adjoining parts. 
  • These products are exported to foreign countries also.
  • Zardozi embroidery is impressively ornamental and involves profound use of crusted gold thread work.
  • Initially, the embroidery was done with pure silver wires and real gold leaves. 
  • However, today, craftsmen make use of a combination of copper wire, with a golden or silver polish, and a silk thread.

ASSAM

Rangoli Bihu

  • The Assam tableau showcases the local people of Assam engaged in celebration of their important festival in the backdrop of a typical hut in an Assamese village. 
  • In the courtyard, young boys and girls of Assam are seen performing traditional Bihu dance and an Assamese couple welcoming friends and relatives to their home for the festivities.
  • Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu is the most important festival of state of Assam. 

  • It is celebrated in spring season during the month of April. 

  • Rangoli Bihu festival also marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.




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