Friday 30 March 2012

Culture History of Uttarakhand

Cultural History of Uttarakhand :–
Cultural History of Uttarakhand is an out-come of many years of keen observation of the linguistic and cultural phenomena of the whole Himalayan region, right from Ladakh in the west to Bhutan in the east and an intensive study of ancient Indian literature and of the historical incidents that have taken place in these Central Himalayan regions, particularly in the land termed as Uttarakhand. The history and culture of the inhabitants of Uttarakhand, including various ancient and modern tribes and races, right from Tons and Yamuna in the west to Mahakali/Sarada in the east, and from Bhotantic Himalayan regions in the north to Tarai-Bhabar area in the south, considered to be a ‘Cultural Area’ of Uttarakhand, have been taken into account for this study, in which an effort has been made to unfold various layers of the history of this land in a comprehensive way. As such, this volume on the Cultural History of Uttarakhand is supposed to provide a rare opportunity to students, as well as to readers in general, to have an intimate knowledge of various aspects of the cultural history of various tribes and races inhabiting Uttarakhand from pre-historic periods.The beautiful state of Uttarakhand, specially the region of Kumaon hills is rich in folk and the various folk tales.



AIPAN :–
Aipan is one of the traditional art of Kumaon. It has great social, cultural and religious significance. Aipans are known by different names and is in popular in many parts of India with larger variations.
In Uttarakhand, aipan are popularly drawn at places of worship, houses, and main entry doors of house and in front courtyard. Some of these artistic creations have great religious importance and these are drawn during particular religious ceremonies or auspicious occasions such as marriages, Threading ceremony, naming ceremony etc. to perform rituals while others are for particular God / Goddess and a few for aesthetic look.
Rangwali Pichhaura :–
Rangwali Pichhaura is a garment worn at ceremonial occasions in Uttarakhand. From bride to great grandmother, every women in the family wear it on occasions be it namkarna or marriage, upanayan or mundon. It has a special significance and mandatory for all married women in the family or close relation. Another salient feature of Rangwali Pichhora is that it can be put on by widows also, those as per social traditions, they are not supposed to wear colourful garments.
In the center, a ‘Swastik’ is drawn and in four quadrant of swastik, Sun, Shankh (Cronch shell), A Bell with ‘Om’ and Goddess are drawn. The swastik is made by drawing some geometrical drawings or leaves and flowers and then surrounded by small dots. Then dots of larger size are printed all over. This printing is surrounded by a beautiful border. After border, lace and kinari or jhalar is stitched to make is more colourful, attractive and lively.
Theses sketches drawn in the pichhora has religious significance also. The Swastik represents al the gods and goddesses. It is drawn in some form or the other at all the religious rituals. It denotes the ‘karmyoga’. Its four arms pointing forward inspire to move ahead. The center of swastik is ‘Om’ which has great importance in meditation and spirituality.

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