Gujarat is a Potpourri of art and craft and dance and literature and is famous for its unique culture. It’s interesting to learn about the different cultural aspects of Gujarat and understand its importance.
Origin, Ethnicity and Language of Gujaratis
The ethnic lineage of the Gujarati’s is derived from the Gurjars who arrived in India along with Huns as and when the Huns were travelling and crossing Punjab. Large groups of them settled in Gujarat and any of them are of Indo Aryan origin. 20% of the Gujarati’s are of tribal groups like Naikda, Bhils, Kolis and Macchi-Kharwa who still stay in Gajarat as they weren’t defeated by the Aryan invaders. In fact the Bhil community soon became the rulers of Gujarat while the Kurjars occupied middle level positions. Gujarat has a multi religious culture as a lot of immigration happened in the medieval age which brought in Islam and Zoroastrianism. In 14th century Saurashtra, the Kathis or the Sun Worshippers held dominance and they were experts in the art of horse breeding. Soon the Rabaris who had a royal lineage dominated Saurashtra and they were mainly cattle breeders.
As of today most of Gujaratis speak the Gujarati language and people of this ethnicity are concentrated in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. However sizeable numbers also live in far flung areas of the country like Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli etc. incidentally Guajarati communities like Bohra, Memom and Khoja who have settled in Karachi still consider their ethnicity to be Gujarat. Marwari, Hindi, Marathi and Urdu are also spoken in Gujarat and in the Rann of Kutch…Kutchi is the primary language.
Gujarati Homes
Diversity of culture, traditions and religion mark the Gujaratis. The Guajarati culture has elements of Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, Buddhism etc. and is a mirror of many different forms of beliefs, arts, institutions, languages, technology and values. One overriding custom of the Gujaratis is the respect of elders and the tradition of passing on knowledge and values from generation to generation. Culturally the Guajarati’s are friendly and adept at mingling in foreign cultures which is why they have spread to different parts of the world.
Modern homes are now built in Gujarat but there are many who still show fondness for wooden houses and traditional homes. Traditional Gujarati houses have intricate design elements and exquisite interiors and every home has a Chabutra meant for feeding the birds. The kind of furniture used in homes is dependent upon the exact geographical location… Sankheda near Vadodara has lacquered furniture and that’s now a landmark of Southern Gujarat. Rajkot homes have Minakari Furniture while homes in Surat, Saurashtra and Kutch have intricately carved furniture.
Music and Dance
The traditional folk dance forms of Gujarat are Dandiya Raas, Garba, Garbi, Tippani, Padhar and Dangi. While Dandiya Raas is a romantic, playful and vibrant form of dance inspired by Krishna….the Garba is lighter and more graceful dance form performed by females in reverence of Goddess Amba. Garbi is a forceful dance characterised by forceful movements of the limbs and is essentially meant for raising the morale before battle. The Padhar dance was performed by the rural community living around Nal Lake and it’s inspired from the undulations of the sea waves
Literature
The history of Gujarat’s literature dates back to 1000 AD and it has now flourished. Famous poet’s ad novelists are Hemchandracharya, Mirabai, Shamal Bhatt, Premanand Bhatt, Govardhanram Tripathi, Suresh Joshi, Mahatma Gandhi, Pannalal Patel, Akho, Dalpatram, Kavi Kant and Kalapi.
Gujarati theatre is inspired from Bhaval and it’s taken forward to cinematic excellence by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ketan Mehta.
Cuisine
The different parts of Gujarat have different tastes as the neighbouring state has always played a strong influence. In south Gujarat that shares borders with Maharashtra, Jowar is consumed while in Saurashtra and North Gujarat…Bajra and Maize are consumed. In Baroda…a fusion of all tastes are found.
Most Gujarati are vegetarians and they consume a wide variety of lentils like Urad, Moong, Tuvar, Rajma and mixed Daal. Some famous Daal preparations are Khadi and Dal Dhokli, they eat vegetable dishes like stuffed Karela, Methi mutter, okra, tomato sev, cabbage peas, cauliflower peas, Undhiyu etc. Gujaratis tend to put a hint of sweet flavour in their food. The Gujarati eat a variety of snacks like Chana Dal Vada, Kutchi Dabeli, Dal Vada, Dhokla, Handvo, Kachori, Fafda, Chivda, Bhakarwadi, Jain Chivda, Sev Usal, Chavanu, and Patra.
Famous Gujarati sweets are Ghari, Kaju Katli, Barfi Churmu, Khaja, Rabdi, dudh/moong dal halwa, badam/ pista chakki, wheat halwa, mysore pak. Puran puri, shrikhand. Mohanthal, ladoo, magasand chikki are also quite famous in Gujarat
Fairs and Festivals
Gujarat is known as the land of fairs and festivals and more than 1000 festivals are celebrated here. Some famous fairs are Bhavnath Mahadev Mela that happens in February, Dangs Darbar at Ahwa in July, Chitra Vichitra Mela in Gunbhakhari in March and the Dhrang Fair near Bhuj in April. The Trineteshwar Mahadaev Fair near Rajkot happens in October while the Vautha Mela happens in the meeting point of river Sabarmati and Vatrak in November. Other famous fairs are the Kutch Utsav, Sanskruti Kunj Fair and Shamlaji Fair.
Festivals unique to Gujarat are the Makar Sankranti Kite Flying Festival in January and the Modhera dance festival in January. The Kutch Mahotsav festival in February I Bhuj is a large crowd-puller while the Bhadra Purnima Fair is a unique night farmers festival.
Handicrafts
Needlework of Gujarat is world famous with aari work, applique work, mirror embroidery (abhala) and Chakla embroidery are the most famous styles. International exposure, widespread exports and instant recognition amongst the fashion designing community of India has been enjoyed by Gujarati needlework.
Bandhani or tye and dye fabrics are very famous in Gujarat and the Bandhej as well Jamdani style of Jamnagar, Bhuj and Mandvi are the most famous. The famous colourful print and embroidery enhanced Gujarati Patola Sarees are also very famous.
Gujarat is also a silver jewellery hub with Bhuj and Kutch being famous for their distinctive styles of jewellery.
Gujarati beadwork is very famous and the regions of Khambhat and Saurashtra have the tallest claims to fame. The Kathi tribes produce amazing beadwork that is demonstrated on a variety of items including Torans that are hung over doorways.
Quilting, Kalamkari and embroidery are used in producing floor spreads (called Namdas) and Dhurries ….these are important handicraft export items.
Clay utensils, terracotta toys and Aravali and Chota Udaipur tribal made Gora Dev figures of Gujarat are very famous. Mud wall paintings that are fashioned into plaques and are then decorated with mirrors are another famous item.
Zari industry of Surat is one of the oldest handicraft aspects of Gujarat and it dates back to the Mughal era. Surat is one of the biggest producers of Zari and the Chalak, Katori, Kangari, Tiki designs are variable in Saree, turbans, blouse pieces, gharchola and panetar (Gujarat wedding dresses).
