Rajasthan
TourismHistory
of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan goes back 5000 years and boasts a heritage
as rich as its landscape, from the grand palaces and rugged forts to its
tranquil and camel safaris to trekking. Those looking for taste of royal
lifestyle just need to check into one of the several palace hotels or
heritage hotels that will make it possible for them to be treated like royal
guests.
Whether you are visiting Rajasthan's big cities with a
fast-moving westernised lifestyle, or exploring historic towns or quaint
villages, you will always find the people warm and friendly. And if you want
to move away from the regular tourist beat, it is very easy to organise your
own tour.
Accommodation could be a palace hotel, a smaller
heritage hotel in the country, a guesthouse, a tent or a village hut- the
choice is yours. But whatever you choose, you holiday in Rajasthan will be
an unforgettable experience and we hope this publication will help you make
the most of your time here. Rajasthan has a superb range of shops, catering
to every taste and pocket.
It is among the richest states in the
country as far as handicrafts are concerned. The craftsmen here have been
creating the most opulent and richest of treasure. Stone, clay, leather,
wood ivory, lac, glass, brass, silver, gold and textiles are given the most
brilliant forms.
Each little village had its own mohulla of
craftsmen who were patronised by the local people as well as visitors to the
village. Today, the Government encourages the local handicrafts as well as
the small-scale industries and retail outlets have been set up in the major
cities. Tourists can choose from the large variety on display, and at very
reasonable prices.
Culture of Rajasthan Rajasthan- the land of royalty is a glittering jewel set in the
golden sands of a barren deserts landscape. The light that reflects off the
golden sands engulfs a land renowned for its vibrant colors, people in
bright clothes and beautiful jewelry, living in cities dotted and dominated
by towering forts and palace that rise from the sands like mirage.
The brightness of its life, the legends of its heroism and romance are
all captured in the vibrant and evocative music of this desert land. There
is a richness and diversity in Rajasthani music which comes from a tradition
that is old and undisturbed, and from a culture that has imbibed the best
from its neighboring states of Sindh, Gujurat, Malwa, Mewar, Haryana and
Punjab.
Music which rich evocative heroic plaintive and joyful
governs all aspects of Rajasthani lives. The voices both male and female are
strong and powerful. The numerous songs sang by the women reflect the
various feminine moods and strong family ties that govern their lives,
Peepli and Nihalde are songs imploring the beloved not to leave her or to
return to her as soon as he can.
There are songs about the
family comparing every member to the numerous ornaments worn by women. The
festivals of gangaur and teej, celebrating marital bliss and the brief but
splendid moonsoon of Rajasthan call for special songs without which no
celebration is complete.
Men and women of Rajasthan sing
devotional as well as festive songs. Songs by the saint-poets like Kabir,
Meera and Malookdas are part of the folk repertoire. They are sung all night
during the raatjagas (all night soirees spent singing devotional songs)
which are held as thanks giving to a particular deity. The resonant singing
of the Rajasthani folk is accompanied by music from simple instruments like
the Baara and Algoza, that usally give a beat or a drone to offset the
poetry.
Fairs and festivals bring an even greater riot of colour
and music into lives of these desert people .Holi the festival of
colours,brings forth the joyous,lively rhythms of the change and dhamal
songs Marriage ,childbirth ,the visit of the son-in-law, all call for song
and music. Even children have their own special songs called the saanjhi and
the Ghulda. Favorites that are sung at all times are the Panihari Eendoni,
the famous Kurjan Digipuri-ka-raja and the Rasiya songs of the Braj region.
The hard life of the desert dwellers made them seek means of
making life more pleasant by developing their artistic talents. There are
many traditional communities who are professional performers and their
skills are handed down from generation to generation. The Bhat and Charans
are bards, who could inspire the Rajput warriors with accounts of heroic
deeds by whipping up patriotic flavor or even ridiculing the royal families
with their satire.
The wandering balladeers, like the Bhopas who
sing about the Marwar folk hero-Pabuji, travel from village with their phad
painting and rawan hahha entertaining people with their ballad. There are
many singing communities in Rajasthan known as the Dholis.. Also known by
other names like Mirasis, Dhadhis, L angas, Manganiyars, Kalbelias, Jogis,
Sargaras, Kamads, Nayaks or Thotis and the Bawaris.
Today their
musician be heard all over the state and is pepular even on the national &
international circuits. The best flavor of this rich artistic talent can be
savored during various fairs & festivals of the state, especially during
the Desert Festivals (Jan-Feb), the Pushkar Fair (Oct-Nov), the Marwar
Festival (Sept-Oct) and the Camel Festival (Jan-Feb).
Map of Rajasthan 
