Cultural Pageant at 66th Republic Day – What did the states showcase ?

Cultural Pageant at the 66th Republic Day had many interesting tableaux. We all know about Wajid Ali Shah. Exam point of view – it does not seem to be important. Some cultural traditions which are not that famous and you might not be knowing , UPSC might just ask one of these !

Channapatna Toys of Karnataka

  • Form of wooden toys made in Channapatna , near Bengaluru Karnataka.
  • Traditionally made using Ivorywood, rosewood, sandalwood.
  • Traditional craft protected under Geographical indication Tag.
  • Tipu Sultan provided the support by bringing Persian men to train local craftsmen.

Kud Dance of Jammu and Kashmir

  • Kud is basically a ritual dance performed in honor of Lok Devatas. This is a kind of thanks-giving ritual based dance performed mostly during nights. It is accompanied by musical instruments used during the dance like Narshingha, chhaina, flute and drums.
  • It is a typical community dance, performed in the middle mountain ranges of the Jammu region. During the rainy seasons the dance is performed. When the maize is harvested, the villagers gather & come down from the nearby hills.

Igu Dance of Arunachal Pradesh

  • Igu Dance or priest dance is a traditional dance of the Idu Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh that is performed to appease the spirits.The Igus perform these ritualistic pujas on several occasions for the well being of the family and the community.
  • Among the tribe, the dance is called as Reh Naya. The dance is mainly performed by the priest known as Igu and his assistants. The priest is the most important man and the religious rituals are centred around him. It is believed that Igu can arouse both good and evil spirits and cure various types of illness.

Bhagoria Festival of Madhya Pradesh

  • Bhagoriya festival of Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh  marks the onset of the spring season and falls a few days before Holi.  Bhagoria Festival is celebrated in the month Phalguna.
  • It is a trademark celebration of the Bhils and Bhilalas tribes
  • As the name suggets, Bhag means Run. Thus, during the festival of Bhagoria, young people choose their partners and elope with them.
  • The festival is also associated with agricultural harvest and fertility.

 Bonalu of Telangana

  • Bonalu is a folk festival, which is very famous in the Telangana region. The word Bonalu is derived from Bhojanalu meaning food, which is offered to the Goddess.
  • A typical feature of the Bonalu festival are the Ghatams or decorated pots filled with flowers, which are carried on the heads by the women folk in a procession.  Cooked rice is carried by women on their heads to the local goddess while the men accompany by playing drums.
  • Male dancers called the Potharajus follow the female dancers, who are believed to be the protector of the village.

 

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