Rajasthan Culture

The Fairs and festivals of this state add a lot of colour and life into the lives of these hard-working 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.The most sought after songs that are sung all seasons are the Panihari Eendoni, the famous Kurjan Digipuri-ka-raja and the Rasiya songs of the Braj region.

The rough and tough life of these desert people has made them seek pleasure and fun in the music and dance of this traditionally rich state. 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 the musicians and dancers of this state perform not only in India but abroad too. 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).More About Rajasthan Culture »