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Vedic society ›› Arts ›› ARTS AND TRADITIONS OF MADHYA PRADESH

ARTS AND TRADITIONS OF MADHYA PRADESH

Contents

· Introduction

· Pilgrimage Tourism

· Nature and Leisure tourism

· Heritage Tourism

· Temple Architecture

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· Museums

· Arts

· Crafts

· Architecture

· Music

· Musical instruments

· Dances

· Festivals and fairs

· Conclusion

Introduction

Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India, is bordered by Uttar Pradesh to the North, Jharkhand to the North East,
Rajasthan to the North West, Maharashtra to the South, Chattisgarh to the East and Gujarat to the West. In the past,
the region was ruled by major dynasties like the Mauryas, Guptas, Harshavardhana, Bundelas, Tomaras, Chandelas,
Paramaras, Mughals, Marathas and later by the British. There are tribal and non-tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh
having their own socio-cultural space with the main tribes being Gonds, Bhils and Oraon tribes though there are many
others like the Bhilalas, Murias, Kols and Korkens. Hindi is the official language of the state with dialects like Malwi and
Bundelkhandi being spoken. Bhopal is the capital with Hinduism being the main religion though all religions are
diversely found in Madhya Pradesh. The medieval cities, holy pilgrimage centres, wild life sanctuaries, lakes, parks and
heritage sites attract tourists from all over the world.

Pilgrimage Tourism

Ancient scriptures record the wedding of King Dasharatha in the Kosala region which is a part of present-day Madhya
Pradesh. The state is home to many religious centres and these temples are famous pilgrim destinations with the most
important among them being Ujjain (also called Avantika in ancient times) and Omkareshwar. The Kumbh Mela takes
place once every 12 years in Ujjain.

Chintaman Ganesh Temple

This temple is the biggest temple of Lord Ganesh in Ujjain and dates back to the 11th century. It
was said to be built by the Paramara dynasty and was reconstructed by the Marathas. The idol of
Lord Ganesha here is said to be ‘Chintaharan’, literally meaning remover of worries and
obstacles, hence devotees throng here from all over the country to worship the Lord. The idol is
said to be Swayambu or self-manifested with the two wives of Ganesha, Riddhi and Siddhi placed
on either side of the Lord. In its vicinity is the idol of Lord Vishnu and in this temple both Ganesha
and Vishnu are worshipped together with great devotion. The mandapa and garbhagriha have
granite Shikhar over the domed roof and the temple is protected by a fortified wall with an
entrance gate. The Pradakshina Patha and mandapa are constructed out of artistically carved
sandstone pillars in the assembly hall.

Khajuraho temples

The Khajuraho temples were constructed by the Rajputs of Chandela dynasty between 950 and
1050 AD and were 85 in number though now only 20 of them remain. These temples are not
enclosed with a wall but stand high on a terrace of solid masonry. They have 3 main parts namely
the Garbha Griha, Mandapa and Ardha mandapa or entrance portico arranged in the manner of a
cross. The halls of these temples are richly adorned with sculptures.

Chaturbhuj temple

This temple is in Orchha in M.P and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu with four arms (Chaturbhuj). It was
constructed by the Bundela Rajputs and is unique as it has a lot of light and space within it.

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Mahakaleshwar Mandir (Jyotirlinga)

This temple is one of the Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva as well as revered as one of the 18 Maha Shakti
Peethas as the upper lip of Devi Sati is said to have fallen here and the Shakti is called Mahakali.

Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga

It is one of the 12 Jyothirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva and is situated in the Khandwa district of M.P
on the Mandhata Island in the Narmada River.

Nature and Leisure tourism

The presence of high mountain ranges, wild forests, lakes and natural reserves providing rich flora and fauna, national
parks, wild life sanctuaries and natural beauty has made it one of the most important tourist destinations of M.P.

Heritage Tourism

There are three world Heritage sites declared by UNESCO in M.P namely the Khajuraho group of monuments, Buddhist
monuments at Sanchi and the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka.

Temple Architecture

Most of the temples in M.P reflect the architecture of the various dynasties who built them. Some of the temples reflect
the post-Gupta architecture of covered porch, pyramidal roof and a tower ornamented by four flat bands of elegant
design, the whole structure surmounted by an amalasila or vase. The temple is profusely carved reflecting the
Indo-Aryan style of architecture. The temple at the Great Stupa of Sanchi has architecture and symmetry distinctive of
the Gupta period. The Khajuraho temples in Bundelkhand were built in the Nagara Shikhara style of architecture
depicting sculptures of life and its forms and pleasures.

Museums

There are a number of museums in M.P which displays antiquities, artefacts, paintings, sculptures, bronzes, relics,
manuscripts and coins of various eras.

Art

Folk Paintings (Lok Chitrakar)

These traditional paintings include wall paintings, floor paintings done in ochre or chalk paste, hand prints made with
saffron or turmeric paste and pictures depicting worship of Mother Ganga.

Chitravan

Chitravan paintings are done by professionals called Chiteras who make these paintings during festivals, religious and
ritual ceremonies. Figures made are of Gods, Goddesses, animals, birds, flowers, nymphs and musical instruments
with locally available clay, mineral and vegetable colours. The unique feature of this art is the absence of any outline or
initial sketch with brush strokes evolving into intricate designs and figures.

Mandana

Floor paintings are called Mandanas deriving its name from the word ‘Mandan’ meaning
ornamentation or decoration. They are drawn by women using chalk and geru (red ochre) after
first plastering the floor with clay and cow dung mixture. They are drawn on religious festivals,
fasts and during auspicious ceremonies of birth and marriages.

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Sanjhi

Sanjhi paintings are drawn on walls that are first plastered with fresh cow dung on which various
motifs are made in bas relief with cow dung. Each day, a new motif is drawn after scraping the old
one. The motifs are decorated with colourful strips of paper, flowers and chalk solution (kharia). A
full blown Sanjhi called ‘Kila Kot’ literally meaning fortified dwelling, is drawn up from the thirteenth
day onwards by putting all the motifs together in a parallelogram with four gateways.

Thapa

These drawings or hand prints are associated with specific seasons and usually consist of iconic
representations of Gods and Goddesses. They are drawn during religious ceremonies and festivals
to appease specific deities and avert evil influences and diseases. Women draw Thapas with
Kumkum, sindoor, henna, ghee and cow dung. Thapas drawn in single colour generally use
Kumkum as the main ingredient.

Pithora paintings

These paintings are made during the ritual worship of Pithora for 3 to 5 days; Pithora being the
Bhil tribal deity, for a good harvest or thanksgiving after a wish has been fulfilled. Professional
painters called Lakhindra draw these paintings in which horses and representatives of various
deities are drawn in rows. Characters in folklore are painted and the painting is then worshipped
at night with Gods being invoked through music and dance. Each line or dot in the painting carries
deep ritual and symbolic meanings. Ojha is the ritual specialist who introduces each character in
the painting and invokes his presence. During the ritual, wine and goats are sacrificed. Music and
singing accompanies the process of painting which forms an integral part of the ritual process.

Crafts

Stone craft

Soap stone is used for shaping and carving idols of Gods and Goddesses worshipped by the
tribals. They are considered to protect the villages from diseases and evil forces. With tools used
for cutting stones like chisels, basula and guniya, hand carvings are used to make motifs of
intricate designs. There are many types of stones like Rajouri, Dingi (for carving idols), Dauver
(for making lattices) and Sudapaal. Paper weights, pin stands, figures of wild animals and other
items are also crafted from soap stone. Soft, marble rock is a flexible raw material for making
decorative objects like carved panels, boxes and figures. The craftsmen make household
accessories like mortar and pestle, handi, chabbi, silbatta or the flat stone used for grinding and
chakla which is the platform used for rolling chappatis. The sculptors are famous for their exquisite and intricate
designs and are considered to be descendants of Vishwakarma, the great celestial architect and sculptor.

Textiles

Maheshwari Saris of M.P are woven with intricate geometric designs with motifs being derived from temple carvings
and palace carvings of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. Chanderi saris using a silk warp with a fine cotton weft and intricate
borders and jewel like buttis are famous in M.P. Hand block printing are carried out with vegetable dyes where wooden
blocks having embossed motifs are dipped in the coloured dyes and later pressed over the fabric. This is used in saris,
suits, table cloth, bed spreads, quilts, dress materials and mats. Batik and Bandini prints too are created by the
craftsmen.

Metal Craft (Bhareva Shilp)

This craft is generally practised by the Bhareva community who use the casting method to make
different utensils, lamps, bugles, anklets, birds, animals and other utility items.

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Clay and Terracotta Toys

Handmade clay toys which are solid or hollow are made artistically by the craftsmen with figures of
birds and animals fixed on wheels which are very popular with children. Clay idols of Gods and
Goddesses, elephants and horses with riders, lamps and other items are made by the tribal
craftsmen.

Embroidery

Various colours and stitches of geometric patterns and designs are used to create different kinds
of embroidery which are used in skirts, blouses, ghagras, hankies, dupattas and purses.

Jewellery

Craftsmen make bead chains, chokers, ear rings, hair ornaments in traditional designs. They design beautiful gold and
silver jewellery studded with pearls and expensive stones which are then finely coated with enamel work. Glass and lac
bangles are famous in M.P and anklets called Lauang Kasauthi are made in clove shaped beads which are made of
silver and cast in one piece.

Dolls and Toys

Traditional rag dolls are made by craftsmen with facial expressions painted on them. They are then
dressed in traditional costumes made of paper with boat shaped turbans on their head and saris
with traditional jewellery and are generally sold in pairs. Attractive papier mache toys of birds,
animals, cartoons, human figures, Gods and Goddesses, models of historical buildings are skilfully
crafted by the artisans.

Leather animals

The craftsmen make beautiful leather animals by first preparing the framework with the use of
iron wire and shaping it up in the required size. Then dry grass is wrapped on this structure and
joined with thread. The artisan then mixes the flour of tamarind seeds with papier mache and
moulds the anatomical details of the animal’s body. To complete the structure, a thin soft goat
leather piece is put on the product and lastly the animals are painted according to their natural
colours.

Wooden Lacquerware

The craftsmen make a large variety of decorative and utilitarian articles like toys, kitchenware,
chairs and table lamps with different kinds of wood like haldu, dudhi and salaiya being used.

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Carpet Making and Dhurries

Hand operated looms are used to weave bright coloured dhurries and the yarn is dyed according to
the design and the combination required. Floor coverings or Jajamas are known for their attractive
designs and many kinds of motifs are made by the artisans with geometric designs, flowers and
leaves with sunflower designs of the Sun considered very auspicious and Neempati motifs which
are 24 petalled flowers and are very famous. The art of carpet weaving has evolved through
generations and has been influenced by a number of cultures. The innovative designs and patterns
with their unique motifs, spectacular floral and geometric designs have made it very popular
among tourists.

Glass Craft

Gold filigree work or Thewa is practised by the craftsmen to create exquisite plates, trays, photo
frames, vases, belts, perfume bottles and jewellery. In this art, filigreed gold sheets are fused onto
glass which is in traditional colours of red, blue and green. The motifs taken are from Hindu
mythology and Muslim court scenes which include flora motifs, winged fairies, historical scenes,
animals, rulers and battlefield scenes.

Music

Different forms of music exist in M.P, which can be classified into traditional, tribal, folk and devotional music.

Traditional Music

Two famous Gharanas of music were nurtured in this state namely Tansen (Senia) Gharana and Gwalior Gharana which
has contributed to the Dhrupad, Tappa and Tarana forms.

Tribal music

The tribes have songs for every occasion and each of the tribes has their own denomination of rhythm.

Relo

They are songs sung on occasions like weddings, festivals and social occasions.

Gooning

These are high pitched songs using five or six notes.

Leja

These are lengthy songs sung as send off rituals to dear ones.

Chait Parah

These are songs sung to herald the various seasons.

Dhankul

These are songs associated with the invocation to the Goddess Danteshwari.

Musical instruments

Musical instruments are classified into wind instruments, percussion instruments, autophonic instruments and simple
stick music. Wind instruments are Singha which is the horn of any animal, Ansingha which is the S shaped trumpet
made of copper, brass or silver, Pungi which is used by snake charmers, Binnoor which is a horn shaped instrument and
Mohuri which is a flute with seven holes. Percussion instruments are Khandari which is a small hand drum, Madal a
conical shaped drum, Dhol and Pakhawaj. Autophonic instruments are clappers which are pieces of wood used by the
tribals, Tapri, a hollow primitive instrument to locate cattle, Chatkula a clapper, Khirki, a bamboo rattle and Thiski

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which is a triangular crossbar rhythm keeper. Simple stick music is created with a pair of sticks called Danda, Gedi, a
pair of bamboo stilts with foot rests and others. Stringed instruments are Chikara or the seven stringed instruments,
Ektara, Tanpura and Veena.

Dances

The dances of M.P are rich and varied due to an amalgamation of different tribal communities.

Karma

This is one of the oldest tribal dances performed to herald the spring season and men and women
dance around trees accompanied by musical instruments like Thumki, Payri, Challa and Jhumki.

Jawara

This dance is performed to celebrate prosperity following the reaping of a good harvest. Men and
women dance together in colourful costumes with women balancing baskets full of Jawara on their
heads.

Tertali

Two or three women sit on the ground and tie small metal cymbals called Manjiras to different parts of their body.
Balancing a pot on their heads, gnashing a small sword between their teeth and striking cymbals with their hands, they
dance vigorously to rhythmic beats.

Lehangi

This dance is performed to herald the advent of the monsoon season. Young men hold sticks in their hands and
rhythmically beat them while dancing along and performing various acrobatic tricks.

Ahiri

This dance is generally performed by the cattle herders who are considered to be descendants of
Lord Krishna on all major cultural and religious occasions.

Baredi

This dance is performed on the day of Diwali until the day of Kartik Purnima. The dancers wearing
dhotis and accessorised with peacock feathers perform and move around in circles to the
accompaniment of musical instruments like dholak, jhanz, mridang, manjira and daphli and folk
songs which are sung following a question and answer format.

Gaur Maria dance

The word ‘Gaur’ means ferocious bison and this dance symbolises the hunting spirit of the tribe.
Wearing headdresses made of plumes of peacock feathers, the men dance to the accompaniment
of flutes and drums. Women too carrying dancing sticks called Tirududi wear brass fillets and bead
necklaces over their bodies along with painted tattoos and dance in their own groups with their
anklets jingling to the rhythm of the music.

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Drum dance

The Muria tribe performs the drum dance called Mandri with boys and girls dancing with fixed moving pattern in
running steps and circles. The drum is first worshipped before the dance is begun and these songs and dances are
performed during special occasions and festivals.

Matki dance

This dance is performed by people living in the Malwa plateau usually during weddings by women with pots (matki) on
their heads. Aada and Khada Nach are variations of this dance.

Grida dance

This dance is performed in villages to celebrate the flourishing of the ‘Rabi’ or winter crops. Groups
belonging to different villages gather together from morning to evening. The dance has three
phases, ‘Sela’ consisting of slow and stiff movements, ‘Selalarki’ or movements gathering pace and
‘Selabhadoni’ or final phase of vigorous hand and leg movements.

Phulpati dance

This dance is performed by unmarried girls of semi rural areas to celebrate nature.

Fairs and Festivals

Along with the usual festivals celebrated in the other parts of India, M.P has a number of fairs and festivals indigenous
to it. The Ujjain Kumbh Mela is an important event conducted once every 12 years.

Akhil Bharatiya Kalidas Samaroh

This festival is conducted at Ujjain every year in which literary presentations together with Indian classical programs
and dramas of the great scholar Kalidas are presented by great poets and scholars of Sanskrit literature.

Khajuraho Dance festival

This festival promotes the traditional dances and cultural heritage of India and tourists and
culture lovers assemble from all over the world to watch various dance forms in an open space or
in one of the famous temples at the world heritage site of Khajuraho.

Bhagoria tribal festival

This is a colourful festival of the Bhil tribes held in Feb/Mar in the nature of a mass Swayamvar or marriage market. It
is also an agricultural festival as it concurs with the completion of harvesting.

Malwa Utsava

This is a five-day celebration of music, dance, drama and culture held in the month of May with well known artists
giving excellent performances in a colourful ambience. Traditional music and dance performances are witnessed by a
huge gathering of tourists from all over the world. There is also a rich display of art and craft workshops and different

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types of cuisines.

Tansen Music Festival

This music festival is held in Gwalior near the tomb of Tansen at Behat with several celebrated classical singers coming
together to perform in his memory. It is generally held in Nov/Dec every year.

Nimar Utsav

This festival is held in the month of Sept/Oct on the banks of the sacred river Narmada at Maheshwar
in M.P. Boats are rowed across the river and dance performances, music and drama are conducted to
entertain people. Thus, this festival is a celebration of the River Narmada and an attempt to revive
Indian culture.

Besides this, there are a number of Samarohas of music and dance like Chakradhar Samaroha,
Dhrupad Samaroha and many others conducted in many states of M.P.

Conclusion

The natural beauty of Madhya Pradesh is varied with plateaus, hills, lakes and forests with innumerable monuments,
temples, forts, palaces, wild life parks and nature preserves. The arts, crafts and traditions of the people have been
passed on to the later generations by expert craftsmen and artisans and the government has adopted various schemes
and incentives to encourage them and nurture their expertise.

References
Published On: 14-07-2015
(Others):
1. wikipedia.com
2. books.google.co.in
3. Madhya-pradesh-tourism.com
4. bharatonline.com
5. india-crafts.com
6. indianetzone.com
7. discoveredindia.com
8. indialine.com
9. camelcraft.com
10. craftisan.in
11. indtravel.com
12. brittanica.com
13. mp.gov.in
14. craftsandartisans.com

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