Gujarat’s Folk Culture and Oral Tradition: Its Importance, Peculiarities and Impact

Gujarat’s Folk Culture and Oral Tradition: Its Importance, Peculiarities and Impact

Gujarat which derives its name from the term ‘Gujjar Rashtra’ constitutes a culture which is formed out of mingling of diverse ethnic folks. The flourishing state of Gujarat with its cultural diversity forms an integral part of the Indian culture and has long been harboring both, the indigenous and foreign traditions. The Gujarati culture is an amalgamation of a plethora of traditions, beliefs, customs, arts, values with a tinge modernization as well. Around one-fifth of the population of the state comprises of tribal and aboriginal communities. All these constituent tribes and communities form a confluence that renders an enriched and versatile Guajarati culture which is evident in the state’s distinctive dance styles, festivals, lifestyle and its cuisine. Though Gujarat is one of the most industrialized states in India, yet it has quite efficiently preserved its rich cultural and traditional inheritances since distant past. Read on to acquaint yourself with all the aspects of multifaceted Guajarati culture.

The state of Gujarat is popular in music because of its contributions. A number of ragas emerged in this state such as Khambavati (from Khambhat, Cambay), Gujaqri Todi Bilaval (from Veraval), Sorathi, (from Sorath), Lati and Ahiri. It is said that the legendary musicians Baiju Bawra and Tana Riri also belong to this state. Pure form of Charans and Gadhavis folk music is still prevalent here. Besides classical and folk music, Gujarat has produced several folk instruments like Jantar, Bungal, Turi, String type Ravan Hattho and more.

Fairs & Festivals

During various fairs and festivals thousands of tourists pour in each year from all across the globe to witness the rich and diverse cultural heritage of this part of India. Some of the major Gujarati festivals which are celebrated with great vigor and enthusiasm are Rathyatra, Navratri Mahotsav, International Kite festival, Holi and Deepawali. Some of the most important fairs held in Gujarat include Bhadra Purnima Fair, Shamlaji Melo and Mahadev Fair. All of the above mentioned ingredients converge to form a versatile and diverse Guajarati culture which is prevalent in its lifestyle. Despite modernization and industrialization, Gujarat has somehow been able to preserve all the rich cultural and traditional legacies of dance and art which the land has been harbouring since time immemorial.

Music

Gujarati folk music is extremely rich and versatile and is also known as sugam sangeet. The range of instruments in Gujarati folk music include wind instruments like turi, pava,bungal, string instruments like ravan hattho, ektaro, and jantar and percussion instruments like manjira and zanz pot drum. The songs include bhajans which are categorized by theme of poetry/lyrics and also by musical compositions such as katari, prabhati, dhol etc. One more popular form of the folk music tradition of Gujarat is the baardic tradition. The Deviputra/Chaaran/Ghadhvi community has upheld and enriched the folk tradition of story-telling with or even without music. Some of the traditions include form of doha, chhand, sorathaa, bellads etc.

5 popular folk dances from Gujarat

Bhavai

The name Bhavai is derived from Sanskrit word “Bhava” which means emotions/ feelings. The Bhavai drama is a continuous performance which lasts for the whole night without any stage equipment. It includes issues from social life in a satirical way. Usually women don’t perform in Bhavai and male artists perform female roles as well. the origin of the dance is believed to be from Asait, a Brahmin from north of Gujarat. Bhavai is usually performed in open grounds drawing from the events in the lives of the contemporary people.

Dandiya

This dance form actually stages a mock-fight between the Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, the mighty demon-king. During dandiya, dancers move their feet and arms in a complicated, choreographed manner with dhol being used as complementary percussion instrument. The sticks (dandiyas) of dance represent the swords of Durga. The costume for women is traditional like colorful embroidered choli and ghagra with men wearing special turbans and kedias. Garba is usually performed before Aarti in the honor of the Goddess, while Dandiya is performed after it as a part of celebration.

Garba

Garba is a form of dance where the name is derived from the Sanskrit term Garbha (womb) and Deep (lamp). Traditional garba is performed around a central lamp or around Goddess Shakti. This circular & spiral movements have similarities to other spiritual dances like those of Sufi culture. Traditionally, it is performed during Navratri. The movements represent the cycle of life from birth to death with the only thing being Goddess Shakti. The dance symbolizes that God, in feminine form in Garba, is the only constant in a constantly changing world.

Padhar

Padhar dance is one of the prominent folk dances from Gujarat performed by people belonging to Padhar Community. Padhar people are followers of Hinduism and they worship various forms of Goddess Durga. When performing this dance form the people are in a mood of excitement and frenzy. People indulge in a lot of fun, merry making, music and dance.

Tippani

Tippani folk dance from Gujarat comes from Chorwad district. It has women from seaside striking the floor with sticks and chanting, while other women dance. With simple musical equipment like ‘Thali’, the dancers produce the music. It shows the boredom created by long trips of their men to the ocean. This dance is one of the patterns of the vigorous dance forms of the folk dance in Gujarat. Although, the dance starts gradually, the rapidity increase with the dancers alternately striking the ground. Towards the end, all women sit in rows and smack the floor very fast. Costumes for the dance consist of a short coat known as ‘“Kedia’ with tight sleeves.

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