Culture of Rajasthan

Rajasthan Is A Land Rich In Culture, Which Oozes Out Of Its Splendid Forts And Palaces, The Songs And Dances Of Its People And Their Colourful Lifestyle.

Rajasthan is the land of vibrant colors, shimmering desert, people dressed in bright clothes and beautiful jewelry. Forts and palaces dot the entire landscape of this desert kingdom. The tales of valour and romance are captured in the rich music of this land. Rajasthani music has a rich tradition of its own and has also imbibed the best from Sindh, Gujarat, Malwa, Mewar, Haryana and Punjab.

Rajasthani music reflects the lives of the people of this land and the strong family ties that they have. Peepli and Nihalde are songs yearning for the beloved. Some songs compare every member of the family to numerous ornaments worn by women. The Gangaur and Teej festivals celebrate marital bliss while the brief monsoon of Rajasthan is celebrated with special songs.

Devotional songs are very popular throughout the length and breadth of Rajasthan. Saints like Kabir, Meera and Malookdas have all composed devotional songs that uplift the spirit. People spend the entire night singing these devotional songs during the raatjagas (all night soirees). There are many simple and rustic musical instruments to accompany the music. Then there are fairs and festivals which bring joy and mirth into the lives of the people of this desert land. Some of the popular festivals include Holi, the Desert Festival (Jan-Feb), Pushkar Fair (Oct-Nov), Marwar Festival (Sept-Oct) and the Camel Festival (Jan-Feb).

Rajasthan has many traditional communities of professional performers whose skills are handed down from generation to generation. The Bhat and Charans are bards, who inspired the Rajput warriors with accounts of heroic deeds. There are many singing communities in Rajasthan like the Bhopas, Dholis, Mirasis, Dhadhis, Manganiyars, Kalbelias, Jogis, Sargaras, Kamads, Nayaks or Thotis and the Bawaris.