Interesting articles on India

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Kalamandalam Radhika is an Indian dancer. She has specialized in Mohiniattam having studied under the great gurus like Late Chinnammuamma and Kalamandalam Sathyabhama. She was also under the teaching of Late Kalamandalam Kalyani Kutty Amma for a short period.

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Naati dance is one of the prominent dance forms of the Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh state of India. It is a traditional folk dance of the local inhabitants that reflects the rich cultural tradition of the people of the region. Himachal Pradesh is said to be the home of several tribes who follow different customs and traditions. The Naati dance of the Kullu district is one such traditional folk art that confirms to the variant cultural life of the people of the state. The Naati dance is an integral part of any festive occasion and fair. The otherwise dull and boring life of the tribes of the region is infused with fresh energy and renewed vigour.

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Saswati Sen is a celebrated Kathak Dancer who ranks in the front in the field of Kathak dance. She performs and teaches Kathak with her guru Birju Maharaj. She has been regarded as one of the skilled disciple of Birju Maharaj. Saswati Sen was initiated to Kathak training under the expert guidance of Reba Vidyarthi at Kathak Kendra, Delhi. Today she serves her institution as the leading dancer of Kathak dance. The well known dancer stands tall among all her contemporary dancers in the way she has beautified the Kathak dance with a touch of the traditions and existing approach.

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Sujata Mohapatra has been regarded as the appropriated prototype of 'beauty and poise'. She was inducted to this art form in her childhood. Since her childhood she has shown an intrinsic love for dance. Sujata Mohapatra was born and raised into a wealthy family that was enriched with an artistic environment. This kind of environment nurtured her creativity and brought out her inborn artistic style.

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This dance is related to rain and the objective is very different. The cultivation of food crops is an important means of living in India hence the rain is the most important factor. So, it is sung when there is no rain for a long time than its usual arrival. Through 'Jhijhian', the villagers portray the drought when there is not a single drop of rain anywhere, the lands are cracked and parched, the sky is lifeless without clouds and the people are awaiting rains. Hence, this is an exact time, for the performance of this dance, when the village women pray to Lord Indra for rain.

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The Dynamic and Colourful Folk Dances of Gujarat

Gujarat is known to be the Land of Festivals and celebrates a large number of festivals every year. These celebrations are accompanied with musical performances and traditional dance forms based on their rich culture and heritage. Thus, the folk dances of Gujarat are colourful, vibrant and energetic and they genuinely depict the culture.. They include the famous dance forms like Garba, Dandiya, Bhavai and Tippani dance. People of the state are known to have a natural ability to sing and dance. The numerous types of folk dance forms are certainly a visual feast and mirror to the culture of Gujarat. The best known among these is the Garba and Dandiya. Folk drama in Gujarat is known as Bhavai dance. Most of the art traditions trace back their origin to the ancient period.

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Kaikottikali Dance is a ceremonial dance and is often performed during the festive seasons like Thiruvathira and Onam by the regional womenfolk of Kerala. It is a simple and gentle dance with the 'lasya' element forming its main part in overall dance. Sometimes, even men participate in it, where the 'thandava' part is also brought in dance performance occasionally. The Thandava form of this dance form is observed particularly in the regions of Malabar.

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Theyyam Dance

Theyyam dance is a regional folk dance of Kerala which is performed to propitiate various Bhagavathi deities and other Goddesses. It embraces almost all castes and classes of Hindu religion. It is a rare combination of dance and music and reflects important features of a tribal culture as a whole. Theyyam dancers are clad in colourful face make-up and elaborate costumes.

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Inter Caste Marriages in India

Inter-caste marriage in India is known as marrying out of caste, is a nuptial union that involve two individuals belonging to different castes. This prevailed in India as a result of a very rigid caste system. The caste system is a dominant idea of being hereditary superior and “pure” to others Thus, the practice of marriage within the caste ensures the hierarchy is maintained and in case of its violation, violence is committed.

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Manipuri Dance has its origins in the North-eastern states of India. It echoes the rhythm of life amidst its grace and charm. Manipuri as a dance form is old but is the youngest among the Indian classical dances. The current form of this dance is much more free and limited only to the literary word and the rigidity of the Tala.

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A UNIQUE CASTE HIERARCHY IN ANCIENT  INDIA

Caste System in Ancient India

Caste system in ancient India is defined as the hierarchical order of the social structure. The origin of caste system in ancient India and how it was conceived is not very clear. The earliest reference to it is found in the Rig Veda. It represents the hierarchy of castes - the Brahmins occupying the topmost position and the rest namely Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudras coming in descending order. From this it has been concluded that the Sudra caste was born out of the union of Aryans and non-Aryans.   There were four classes in the caste system: Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (kings, governors, and warriors), Vaishyas (cattle herders, agriculturists, artisans, and merchants), and Shudras (laborers and service providers). 'Varna' defines the hereditary roots of a newborn, it indicates the colour, type, order or class of people.  It reinforced the idea that lifestyles, occupations, ritual statuses, and social statuses were inherited. http://tinyurl.com/mr2sntad, https://shorturl.at/rsLOZ

Caste System in Vedic Age

The Vedas were ancient scriptures, written in the Sanskrit language, which contained hymns, philosophies, and rituals handed down to the priests of the Vedic religion. The low position, accorded to people like blacksmiths, tanners, butchers in the Smriti literature, are not found in the Vedas. The term 'dasa' seems to be the designation of a section of powerful non-Aryans who used to cause trouble to the Aryans. Dasas are stated to have been wealthy and lived in cities. In Atharva Veda, various classes of people of the society pursuing different vocations can be found. Dasas appear to have been engaged in agriculture. As per the Vedas, it is the ideal duty of a human to seek freedom from subsequent birth and death and rid oneself of the transmigration of the soul, and this is possible when one follows the duties and principles of one's respective Varna.The low position, accorded to people like blacksmiths, tanners, butchers in the Smriti literature, are not found in the Vedas. For more info - http://tinyurl.com/mr2sntad, https://shorturl.at/rsLOZ

Caste System in Age of Brahmanas

The Brahmanas confirm the fact that Sudras were called dasas. Those among them who did not surrender to the Aryans were termed dasyus (robbers). In the Brahmanas it has been found that Sudras were servants by occupation and that he could be ejected from a place or even slain at will. The study of the Veda and the performance of Vedic sacrifices were denied to Sudras. Brahmins were revered as an incarnation of knowledge itself, endowed with the precepts and sermons to be discharged to all Varnas of society. Priests, gurus, rishis, teachers, and scholars constituted the Brahmin community. They would always live through the Brahmacharya (celibacy) vow ordained for them. Even married Brahmins were called Brahmachari (celibate) by virtue of having intercourse only for reproducing and remaining mentally detached from the act.

Kalpasutra states the disabilities of Sudras. According to these works they had no right to Vedic study. In their sacrifices, the recitation of Vedic mantras was forbidden. All Samskaras were prohibited for them. A particular section of Sudras had to live outside the village; because Vedic study was prohibited for a Brahmana living in the same village with them. However, in comparison with the earlier ages, the Kalpasutras appear to have allowed certain privileges to Sudras. Kshatriyas constituted the warrior clan, the kings, rulers of territories, administrators, etc. It was paramount for a Kshatriya to be learned in weaponry, warfare, penance, austerity, administration, moral conduct, justice, and ruling. For more info - http://tinyurl.com/mr2sntad, https://shorturl.at/rsLOZ

Caste System in Age of Epics

In the Ramayana, Sudras appear as labourers and domestic servants.  A number of subcastes have been mentioned in the Mahabharata. Ramayana clearly indicates the Aryan expansion into South India and also hints at the use of military force in this process. The epic also makes it clear that the Dravidian culture was also equally superior. The Mahabharata shows that by that time the whole of India was Aryanised. It also provides us information regarding the various states existing at that time. In the Mahabharata all the Indian princes are shown as taking part in the great struggle.

The life of the Epics tells us that the Aryans were no longer divided into small clans or tribes, and powerful states like Panchalas, Pandus, Kosalas, Kashih had come into existence. The rulers of these states assumed the title of Samarats and lived in big cities. The king stood at the head of the general administration and carried on the same with the assistance of Ministers and other officials.

Agriculture continued to be the main occupation of the people in the epic age and made further progress. The private ownership of the land was recognised and the state claimed one sixth to one-tenth of the produce as its share. Both internal and external trade flourished during the epic period. Most of the businessmen lived in cities. The merchantmen were organised in guilds which were controlled by the Mahajanas. The growth of a large number of cities or ‘nagars’ as testified by the epics further shows that the commercial activities were on the increase.

Far reaching changes took place in the religion of the people during the Epic period. The Vedic god and goddesses receded to the background and new gods and goddesses began to worshipped. Important’ god and goddesses of the Epic age were Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, Ganesh, Lakshmi and Parvati. By this time the people had also given up the nature worship. However, they still continued to worship Surya.

The members of four castes were no doubt barred from inter-marriage, inter-dining and other intimate associations with these people. In Smriti sashtra too many references to Sudras and the various disabilities and derogatory treatment. For more info - http://tinyurl.com/mr2sntad, https://shorturl.at/rsLOZ

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Jainism divides mankind into a caste system which is further divided into numerous sub-castes (Jatis). All sorts of beings belong to Jainism, but it does not mean that they are equal in their status. All Jivas are divided into four levels of existence; Gods, human beings, animals and beings in hell. 

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DISCOVERY - INDIA DIVERSITY

Kol Caste

Kol is chiefly the low caste tribe or the adivasi inhabiting in the Eastern parts of India. Kols consider themselves to be natives of Pharenda and Kurali villages in Rewa district. They are employed in cutting down jungle, and wood sale. The Kols are also water-carriers and fishermen. The houses of the Kols are often made of mud, grass and straw, which are called madhia or hut. For more: https://www.indianetzone.com/34/kol_indian_ethnic_group.htm

Bhoyar Caste

The Bhoyars are a cultivating caste who have immigrated from the north through Betul, which is now their headquarters. The name Bhoyar is derived from the word 'bhor', which means morning. They are farmers by tradition. They cultivate mainly sugarcane. They speak a form of the Malwi dialect of Rajputana, and Hindi. In Bhoyar community, marriage within the same family group or Kul is prohibited. Marriage within first cousins is also not allowed. For more : https://www.indianetzone.com/50/bhoyar_caste.htm

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The gigantic awareness of belonging to a higher caste or higher religious order paved way for first ever establishment of Hindu religious community, divided into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.

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Dhimar Caste [https://writeupcafe.com/dhimar-caste/] of Central India is a Hindu caste largely comprising fishermen & palanquin-bearers. They are also engaged in other occupations like cultivation along the river banks, water carriers, rope weavers, grindstone sharpeners, & sellers of sweet potatoes, dry grains, rice and boiled plums

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One of the most renowned castes of Tamil Nadu is the Nadar caste. The Nadar community is a mixture of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which came under one banner of Nadar caste gradually.

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Brahmin is a member of the priestly caste of India. Brahmins occupy the highest position in the Hindu Varna (caste) system. The Brahmins are the caste from which Hindu priests are strained and are responsible for teaching and maintaining the holy knowledge.

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