CULTURAL CENTER WEST BENGAL

Submitted for the partial requirement of

M.Sc. FASHION TECHONOLGY Under the guidance of Ms Gurpreet Saini

Submitted by Amanpreet kaur M. Sc FT 4th SEM. Regd.no. 820048070

IVANNA INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY Ludhiana (Affiliated to PTU jalandher)

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ACKNOWLDEGEMENT
It is a matter of great pleasure and privilege for me to submit this report Cultural center West Bengal per requirement of M.Sc. Fashion Technology of graded Punjab Technical University Jalandher. I will like to express my gratitude to Ms. Manmeet Sodhia, Ms. Gurpreet and Mrs. Meenakeshi Behal for the valuable and direction provided by them. I am also thankful to all other who has contributed in compilation of my report.

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OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT

The main objective of this thesis is to fulfill all the requirements M.Sc. FASHION TECHNOLOGY of PUNJAB TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY jalandher. In this report I try to light up every aspect of West Bengal just like in handicraft, in festivals, in culture. To know the test of special territory we need to give special attention towards their standards of living, like, dislike etc. If we get a chance in future at appoint for this special area by this report we know all about the people of West Bengal. Except this, this report contains information about pilgrimage fair and festivals which are greatly for tourist.

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INDEX
Chapter 1 Introduction Geography People History Cuisine Handicrafts Art & Craft culture and Clothing Costumes Monuments Festivals Dances Wildlife

Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8

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INTRODUCTION

West Bengal, a state in eastern India, stretches from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south. It was on 1st May 1960 when West Bengal was given the status of a separate state in the Indian union, purely on linguistic basis. The state has been subjected to a variety of influences from diverse cultures. Since time immemorial, the culmination of these varied cultures along with Bengal's very own evergrowing richness has given birth to a unique Bengali culture. It is a land of varied charms. Right from the mighty Himalayas in the north to the seacaressed beaches in the south, it is a wonderful journey over the verdant plains, hilly terrains, forests and the wonderful mangrove forests like the Sunder bans. West Bengal is a prosperous state with more than two third of the population depending on agriculture. The people believe in simple living and high thinking policy. The state has been ruled by the left Front for the past 30 years making it a democratically elected communist government. In the more recent time, there is tremendous reformation going on at various sectors viz. economy, education, transport and tourism etc.

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GEOGRAPHY
West Bengal is on the eastern bottleneck of India, stretching from the in the north to the in the south. The state has a total area of 88,752 in the northern extreme of the state belongs to the eastern. This region contains Sadakfu (3,636) the highest peak of the state. The narrow Terai region separates this region from the plains, which in turn transitions into the Ganges delta towards the south. The Rarh region intervenes between the Ganges delta in the east and the. A small coastal region is on the extreme south, while the forests form a remarkable geographical landmark at the Ganges delta. The Ganges is the main river, which divides in West Bengal. One branch enters Bangladesh as the Padma, while the other flows through West Bengal as the Bagirathi River and Hoogly River. Map of West BengalFlora and Fauna: Owing to the varying altitude from the Himalayas to the coastal plains, the flora and fauna of the state is diverse. Forests make up 14% of the geographical area of West Bengal, which is lower than the national average of 23%. Protected forests cover 4% of the state area. Part of the world`s largest forest is located in southern West Bengal. Climate: West Bengal experiences three distinct seasons over the course of the year. Winter (more accurately described as the cool season, considering the lack of significantly cold temperatures) lasts from October to February. When March comes along, the state begins to see its hot and dry period, which continues on through early June. Finally, from late June to early September, West Bengal falls under its monsoon season. In terms of lifestyle choices, the monsoon season makes the largest impact on West Bengal life, because the strength of the monsoon rains has a sizeable impact on the quantity and varieties of harvested crops. Location: Location in northeast India, West Bengal is bounded north by Sikkim and Bhutan east by Assam and Bangladesh, South by the Bay of Bengal and Orissa, west by Bihar and Jharkhand, and northwest by Nepal.

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People
People with different racial, regional and cultural origins live in West Bengal. However, an impact of the Bengali culture is evidently visible on all the residents of the state. The zeal of festive mood, the tendency of relishing good food, the intellectual aura and the love for literature, music and football is commonly seen in majority of the people in West Bengal. The cosmopolitan Bengali culture, with a blend of traditional sanctity in it, is something that makes Bengal a unique state. Read on to know more about the basic traits of Bengali people.

Racial Composition
West Bengal, because of its accessible location near sea, has been the entry gate of India since long. Today, the inhabitants of the state demonstrate a prolific inter mixture of five distinct racial strains. The oldest stratum of the population found here is Proto-Australian in origin. However, these five main racial strains of Bengal have become so inextricably intermixed that it is almost impossible to find a pure racial type in the population.

Religion
Hindu and Muslims dominate the population of West Bengal. The minority religions practiced in the state are Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity and Jainism. The people of Bengal live with mutual peace and harmony. Throughout the year there is a festive mood in the state, as each season brings a plethora of festivals along with it. Durga Pooja is celebrated with same joy and grandeur in the state as Id. The cuisines and the culture of West Bengal also demonstrate the inextricable blend of its existent religions.

Education
The literacy rate of West Bengal is 69.72 %. There is free primary education in rural West Bengal and in the most of the municipal areas. Even the books are available free of cost to students of rural parts. Girl's education in the state is free up to standard VIII. the

Major Occupation
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of West Bengal. Majority of the population is involved in the farming sector, as cultivators and agricultural labors. Industries are also a major source of employment in Bengal. There are more than 10000 registered factories in the state. Apart from the alloy steel plant at Durgapur, there are several other steel plants in the state. The colliery at Asansol is also a large employment provider in the state. Other than this, the centre has set up a numerous industries in the areas of tea, sugar, chemicals and fertilizers. Tea and jute plantation in West Bengal also 7 West Bengal

generate a lot of job. People here are also involved in banking and education sector.

Attire
The traditional Bengali attire for men is dhoti and kurta (a sleeved vest) and for women, it is sari or salwar-kameez. Though these attires are still dominant in the rural areas, the urban people have almost fully adopted to the western attires. The only exceptions are the religious ceremonies, when they can be seen clad in their traditional costumes.

HISTORY
Bengal which is a region in the north-east part of the Indian sub continent has a rich historical heritage. Previously it constituted of the East Bengal and West Bengal as a whole until it was divided in the recent past. Bengal is one of the most densely populated parts of the world and its history which dates back to four millennia can be divided into ancient, medieval and modern. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping the history of India. Bengal has a prosperous mythological past. The Bhagavata Purana discusses the primitive people of Bengal as sinners because they were considered Dasyus and not Indo Aryans. But the Vanga and Anga in Bengal are identified as Indo-Aryans in the Jain scriptures. Early mention of Bengal can be found in the Mahabharata and in Ptolemys geography as well. The remains of the settlements of the Copper Age suggest that the region of Bengal dates back to four thousand years. Earliest evidences of human settlements are derived from the stone tools and such pre historic stone tools have been found in many regions of Bengal such as Medinipur, Bankura and Bardhaman. In the Mahabharata there are references of Bengali kings like Chitrasena who was defeated by Bhima. The epic also suggests that Bengal was divided among various tribes or kingdoms such as southern, northern and western Bengal. Western Bengal was a part of Magadha and thus, became a part of the Indo-Aryan civilization by the 7th century BC. However it was under the Nanda Empire that the whole of Bengal came under the Indo Aryan rule. The southern Bengal excelled in trade activities and after the invasion of Alexander the great in 326 B.C. it rose to prominence. At that point of time the Gangaridai Empire was the most powerful kingdom of Bengal and it was for the fear of their might and power that Alexander withdrew from India. The Vanga kingdom was an influential maritime nation of Ancient India. In the early medieval period Bengal was divided into two kingdoms namely Pushkarana and Samatata. Bengal came under the supremacy of the Gupta Empire when Chandragupta II defeated a confederacy of Vanga kings. During the 6th century the strength of the Gupta Empire weakened and the Eastern Bengal became the Vanga kingdom. The first independent Buddhist dynasty that Bengal had witnessed is the Pala Empire in the 8th century A.D. It lasted for four centuries and at this point of time Bengal experienced the creation of numerous exquisite Buddhist architectures. The Pala dynasty is regarded as the golden epoch of Bengal. Never had the Bengali people reached such height of supremacy and splendour. In the twelfth century the Sena dynasty took hold of the reigns of Bengal. Caste system was introduced in Bengal by the rulers of the Sena dynasty. Hinduism was revived and Sanskrit literature gained prominence during this time. 8 West Bengal

The medieval period of Bengal was marked by the advent of the Muslim rulers in the 13th century. The rule of the sultanate of Bengal came to an end when the Mughal rule became recognised in Bengal during the sixteenth century. The Mughal forces in Bengal were defeated by Sher Shah Suri, the Afghan ruler who had excellent administrative skills and he built the Grand Trunk Road in Bengal. After Sher Shahs death the Mughals established their control all over again in Bengal. During Akbars reign Bengal witnessed a period of prosperity. Bengal under the Mughal rule was referred to as the Paradise of the Nations. Modern era of Bengal started with the advent of the British. The British East India Company was set up in Kolkata in the year 1690. Under the British rule two devastating Famine hit Bengal in the year 1770 and 1943. After the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857, the British gained full control over Bengal. From 1850 Bengal was Indias one of the chief industrial centre. Kolkata was declared as the capital of the British Raj. In the year 1905 Bengal was divided into east and west Bengal by the British for administrative purposes. Bengal was divided into Hindu west which included Bihar and Orissa and Muslim east which includes Assam. This step by the British only enhanced the Hindu Muslim conflict. Because of the strong agitation, the British reunited East and West Bengal in 1912 and Bihar and Orissa were made a separate province. The Bengal renaissance is one of the most imperative segments in the history of Bengal. It started with Raja Ram Mohan Roy and ended with Rabindra Nath Tagore. Nineteenth century Bengal was an exclusive merge of religious and scholars, journalists, social reformers, literary giants, patriotic orators and scientists, all merging to form the picture of a new beginning, and marked the evolution from the medieval period to the `modern` era. In the independence movement Bengal played a vital role. Many eminent freedom fighters like Subhas Chandra Bose, Khudiram, and Surya Sen hailed from Bengal. Bengal was also the nurturing ground for a number of prominent revolutionary organisations. The second partition of Bengal occurred in the 20th century in the year 1947. Bengal was divided into West Bengal in India and a Muslim region of East Bengal under Pakistan and it was renamed as East Pakistan in 1958.

Cuisine of West Bengal

Fish and rice are the main ingredients that typically describe the cuisine of West Bengal. Yet that doesnt mean there is nothing more to the state. The people here also eat a variety of vegetables that are grown there in suitable weather conditions. The main ingredient of the meals of the native people here is fish, cooked in different varieties. It is steamed, fried or stewed with a variety of different vegetables and also boiled with spices to add a unique flavor to the dish. Mustard oil is the all time favorite medium of cooking in the Bengali cuisine. Panchphoran is a spice that is very common and widely used in this states cuisine. Panchphoran is a blend of five basic spices namely aniseed, mustard, fenugreek seed, cumin seed and black cumin seed.

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The state is also fond of sweets and curds making them a tradition throughout the state. It is believed that a meal without a sweet or curd normally is incomplete. Sweet delicacies of this state are enjoyed and relished by all around the country. An aspect that makes Bengali food unique and different from the rest of the country is the fact that the Bengalis love to experiment with different cultures and try out new ways of cooking. Other famous cuisines of the state include Rassagolla (cottage cheese in sweet syrup), Sondesh, Began Bhaja, Luchi, Machcher Jhol, Doi Machch (sea food), Mishti Doi (sweetened curd) and Kosha Mangsho.

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HANDICRAFTS of WEST BENGAL

West Bengal heritage of handicrafts is legendry. The exquisite texture of Baluchari Sarees, Silk and Tasar Textile from Murshidabad, Birbhum, Bankura, Hoogly and Nadia districts have become the Choice of the Century. The fascinating handloom textiles of the same regions as mentioned above are now attracting world-wide attention. Besides the garment materials, jute products, wood and cane products, conch-shell products, brass wares and folk dolls and handicrafts belonging to different schools of art as Dokra art etc. Now embellish a large many drawing rooms. The salient point, however, to be noted in this context, is that each of these schools. In spite of their contiguity has maintained its own distinguishing features down the ages. The handicrafts items are widely marketed by Manjusha, a state Government owned emporia and other establishments as well.

MASKS
The use of masks have come down from the primitive ages. The masks generally made here are of mythological character and the material used is paper mache painted in bright colours. They are used for rituals and folk festivals and as decorative items for homes

TERRACOTTA
This is one of the most ancient forms of art in Bengal and the association with religion has given it a different dimension. The traditional potters or "Khumbhakars" have been producing domestic and decorative items by moulding dry and burnt clay over the ages.

DHOKRA
Along with many other states, Bengal shares the folk art of Dhokrainitially practiced by a nomadic clan. The technique of Dhokra is "Cire Perdue" or lost wax process in which metal, mainly brass, scrap is used. Traditional folk motifs and techniques have been maintained.

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RAG DOLLS This craft root from a Japanese influence, but has lately gained immense popularity in Bengal. Made with small cloth, cotton & wool, these are used by children and for decorative purposes.

SHOLAPITH
Bengal is famous for it's sholapith items for marriages & festivals and serve as decoration items for wall hangings etc.

CANE & BAMBOO

Originating in ancient Bengal, These items find a bigger market in cities rather than villages in modern times. the material is mainly used to make furniture and other decorative items.

WOOD CARVINGS
Wood is widely used for making toys and decorative panels. Kalighat dolls & Natungram wood carvings are worth mentioning. Image made in wood relate back to traditional icons, deities some of them stylised to a modern look. New materials and innovative techniques are being used by the artisans to produce useful and aesthetic products. Folk motifs and ingredients are being effectively used for a greater market.

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TEXTILE
International Textiles & Garment Fair is the first one-stop opportunity in India for textile professionals and exporters to discover what West Bengal has to offer. ITGF'99 - an unprecedented, high profile extravaganza, where hundreds of weavers and craftsmen come together to meet industry and trade participants and interact on the intricacies of production and concepts that can sell.

Craft Pottery
Hand-made pottery is predominantly a woman's art in West Bengal. Women generally make variety of dolls and toys. These hand made figures, small dolls and toys are done by pressing and moulding methods. Some important and interesting items are :

Mangalghat
Mangalghat is a kind of small vase which is commonly used all over Bengal in all kinds of rituals. In birth initiation and marriage ceremonies, in the festivals and rituals of all Gods and Goddesses these auspicious vases of various shapes and sizes are counted as essential requisites. These are mostly painted.

Lakshmi Ghat
These are auspicious vase of the Goddess of wealth. There is fairly a large variety of Lakshmi-ghat in West Bengal, mostly done in pairs, one for Lakshmi and another for Ganesh. Of these, Tamluk Lakshmi - ghats are most decorative and beautiful. Lakshmi's face is shaped on the upper fringe of the vase, with sharply drawn eyes and crest and the trunk of Ganesh in the other vase is also fine. In Raghunathbari, the vases are placed like bowls on an earthen stand. The Jhargram type, is the simplest one with a little long neck marked with two dots for eyes. It has a look of tribal simplicity.

Manasa - Ghat (Bari)

The most conspicuous type of Manasa ghat is found in Bankura and Garbeta area of Midnapur. Based on earthen jars turned upside down, the face of the serpant-Goddess, along with the attached snakehoods, give the vase a peculiar shape and form. The number of snake-hoods varies from one, three, five, and seven, to more than hundred arranged in ascending tiers according to the size of the vase.

Tulsimancha
One of the finest unique specimens of potter's craft is the Tulsimancha of Midnapore. Tulsimancha is generally a raised pedestal, either brick-built or earthen. The terracotta tub - like Tulsimancha with decorative motifs (mainly of Gods and Goddesses) are hardly found outside Midnapore. . It may be placed on the ground anywhere and filled with earth. Then a tulsi plant or any other small plant may be planted on it.

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Dakshin Roy's Head - 'Bara - Murti'

Another interesting piece of pottery which is basically a Ghat or vase, shaped into the figure of a local village deity is Bara - murti. This is also a vase upside down. The upper part is elongated into the form of a leaf with painted leaves and flowers on it and below it on the round surface the face of Barathakur is drawn. It is commonly worshiped in pair and also sold by potters in pair, of which one is God Bara and the other, his consort Narayani. In the Narayani ghat the moustache is absent. Eyes, eyebrows, moustache and beard are all sharply painted by brush. The worship of this Bara - murti is widely prevalent in the south of 24 Parganas district, where almost in every village the rituals are observed on a mass scale during the last day of Bengali month Pous and the first of Magh, corresponding to 14-15 January. The painted terracotta heads of Bara is placed under trees in pairs. Locally Bara is popularly known as the severed head of 'Dakshin Roy' who is a tiger-god. It is one of the most popular people's God in south 24 Parganas, associated with an environment of forest, which is likely to be the Sunderbans.

Marriage - Ritual vessels (Harhi)

In marriage ceremonies, vessels of different shapes and sizes are necessary for sending gifts to bride's and bridegroom's houses, especially varieties of sweets. Earthen vessels were used in the past because it were considered more sacred and auspicious than glass-pots or metal-pots. Of these earthen vessels some interesting varieties are found in Bankura, Midnapore and Murshidabad, which are painted and decorated. Harhis are not painted in all places and even where these are painted, the painting is not done by the professional potters of Kumbhakar caste, but by Patuas or scroll-painters, as in Midnapore (Narajol). In Bankura, the vessels are not painted by brush, but etched and engraved with pointed needles by potters (generally women). The designs are geometric and symbolic. Fish is a common subject in all drawings on these auspicious vessels. The Patuas paint flowers and leaves with fish. The other designs are of trees and flowers, symbolically executed.

Putul (Dolls)
The dolls are usually made by pressing and moulding methods. Now-a-days these are mostly prepared in mould. The mould may be prepared in parts and on each mould - piece the required quantity of clay is firmly pressed to get the intended shape and look. Clay paste is used for joining together the moulded parts. Then the object is dried, burnt and painted by brush. Mica - coated Red Dolls are made by moulding method. It is found in Howrah district : Puilya, Tantiberai, Tulsiberai and Sariyala Balipota and in Midnapore.

Pressed - nose Dolls

The size of this doll is 1-2 inches to 4 -5 inches. It is found in Tulsi - berai, Tantiberai, Sariyala Balipota, Antila and Kalikapur, Patihal and Jagatballavpur in Howrah district, in Midnapore town and in Berachampa - Debalaya. The dolls of Jagathballavpur and Midnapore town have blue and red stripes on white coating.

Horse - riders with and without wheels : Average height of the dolls is 4 to 5 inches.
Wheeled type is made in Tantiberai and Bantul in Howrah district and in Berachampa. Mother-Dolls: Of all the mother - dolls the most interesting and unique types are made by Bankura potters. The types vary in different centres. Panchmura, Rajagram and Sonamukhi which are the three principal centres of Bankura pottery produce different type of mother - dolls. The dolls of Sonamukhi have red colour but the Panchmura dolls are generally black. Dolls of Sonamukhi and Rajagram have 'bonnets' also. 14 West Bengal

Art and Craft

Performing Art Dance forms
In Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore has the credit of rehabilitating dancing as a fine art to be learnt by young as a part of their education. During the last twenty five years the new dance movement has made considerable progress not only in West Bengal but also other parts of India. Various dance forms popular in West Bengal are :

Chhau Dance
The Chhau dance of Purulia district is a sophisticated dance system in Bengal. The Chhau dance is a mask dance. There is no Chhau without mask. This dance is usually performed by male dancers. Chhau dance of Purulia has some characteristics of primitive ritualistic dance in its vigour, style and musical accompaniment mainly the drum. The symbols were once used as facial painting or body painting by dancers who were thus recognized as personifying the characters they stimulated and the masks appeared later.

Tusu and Bhaduriya Saila

Makara Sankranti is an important festival in all parts of Bengal. The Tusu Parab is held in Birbhum on this occasion. Groups of young girls gather every evening throughout the month of Pousa (DecemberJanuary) and sing songs which have been termed by the generic term Tusu. The songs are accompanied by simple group movements: there is no other accompaniment. The men also have their particular songs and dances for the occasion and these are known as the Bhaduriya Saila.

Jhumar and Ashariya Jhumar

In Chaitra, another type of composition known as the Jhumar is sung and danced. Jhumar can be sung and danced by only one men and women or both depending upon the particular occasion. The Jhumar at Chaitra is a typical men's dance which is accompanied by drum and cymbals. At time of the transplanting of the paddy only women sing and dance the Jhumar. This is then known as the Ashariya Jhumar. Into the agricultural songs of transplanting paddy was impregnated the theme of the love of Radha and Krishna and other stories of mystical union. The basic tune of the Jhumars remained more or less the same. The development of the Jhumar provides an interesting instance of an old form absorbing a new content.

Raibense dance
The Raibense dance of Birbhium district is a traditional system with a martial motif. Dance is a series of vigorous physical exercises, in which the erect torso has an important part to play. The dancers begin in a single file and then make a circle. Hops, jumps and circles are characteristic. Skills with the shield and the spear and the trishul are common. A percussion instrument accompanies the dance.

Some other dance forms

The agricultural dances have gradually given place to dances which are purely devotional or religious in character. Practically each different sect has its own music and dances. The worshippers of Shakti, dance in the Chandi mandir of Siva, in the dance hall called Gambhira and those of Vishnu in the 15 West Bengal

Natmandir. All these pavilions are specially constructed for the dance in front of the shrine. The Gambhira festival is held on this day. So also is the Kesvar where Siva is worshipped. Gazan dance is performed by men dressed in saffron robes who carry a Dhanuchi (incensed burners). This is exclusively performed by men; the musical accompaniment is provided by decorated drums and brass gongs (Kanshi).The ballad singers, the boatmen, the fishermen and the professional musician dancers, actors, acrobats and even jugglers have their distinctive songs and dances. A characteristic feature of these is the musical accompaniment which consists of a one stringed instrument called the ektara. The dance movements are by and large, restricted to short sequences which intersperse the singing. The footwork is elementary, but the movement of the pelvic griddle is difficult and characteristic. It is freely used by men singing the songs to indicate a dramatic moment.

Theatre
Jatra, is the traditional theatre form of Bengal. The Jatra is performed by travelling troupes under the management of a man called Adhikari. Although, originally the Jatra had only the themes of Radha and Krishna, today Jatras are written and performed by writers and dramatists of rural and urban centres.

Music
Music is a passion with the Bengalis who express their feelings, emotions and spiritual experience in songs. Different styles of Music are :

Kirtan
Kirtan is a sophisticated style of vocal music deriving from Dhrupad. Kirtan is a harmonious combination of the mode and the lyrical message. Couplets of the lyrics are sung in a chaste raga in slow dhrupadic measure by the leader of a group of singers and their significance is elaborated in recitation or song. The refrain is taken up by the group in quicker and quicker tempo until the chorus finishes in a crescendo and then the next couplet is taken up by the leader. The process goes on until a particular episode is completed. Tampura and khol, are used for accompaniment. In recent times the box, harmonium and the violin are also used. Four sub styles of Kirtan have developed in course of time. These are Manoharshahi, Garanhati, Mandarini and Reneti schools, each with its distinctive manner of presentation and incorporating some features of the different classical styles.

Vishnupur School or Gharana Style

The court at Delhi patronised classical music. The tradition was set by Mian Tansen, court musician of Emperor Akbar, an exponent of dhrupad style, who ruled the musical world of northern India. As the Mughal authority declined, the disciples and descendants of Tansen started leaving Delhi. A number of them found warm reception with Bengali feudatory chiefs. A descendant of Tansen, a 'dhrupadiya' named Bahadur Khan, settled himself in the court of the feudatory chief of Vishnupur and started a school of music which came to be known as the Vishnupur school or Gharana which produced a line of eminent musicians, many of whom were retained by wealthy landlords interested in Indian classical music. Prominent among such patrons in the mid-nineteenth century were the members of the Tagore family, Saurindramohan Tagore and his brother Jatindhramohan Tagore whose efforts made Calcutta a main centre of Hindustani classical music in Bengal. Some other masters of this school were retained by Devendrnath Tagore for coaching the members of his family and also for setting the music of Brahmo devotional songs in the solemn and dignified style of Dhrupad. 16 West Bengal

Tappa
A lighter style of song which had great vogue in nineteenth century Bengal is Tappa, originally introduced during the first half of the century by Ramnidhi Gupta or Nidhu Babu who composed a number of memorable songs of secular love in Bengali which became quite a fashion among the gentry in a short time. By and by its features were assimilated in popular music of diverse kinds-in songs of devotion, in Jatra songs and other compositions by later composers.

Thumri
Thumri was a later arrival, it was the lightest of all classical styles. It took a considerable time to earn popular appreciation.

Folk Songs
The main varieties of folk songs may be classified into three groups-Baul, Bhatiali, and Sari.

Tagore tradition
Song compositions of Rabindranatha Tagore has the most extensive adaptation of the all the styles, Hindustani classical as well as indigenous and European and a personal styles assimilating and synthesising all extant styles. Subject-wise his songs, nearly 2,500 in number fall into five broad categories namely - Songs of devotion. - Songs of love - Songs of nature - Patriotic songs and - Miscellaneous songs. Most of his songs are dhrupadic in structure, being composed in four stanzas and are to be sung according to the notation set. Dhrupad and Baul styles predominate in Tagore's devotional songs while his other songs make liberal use of the Tappa style in a modified form omitting the feature of improvisations. Many of his patriotic songs are composed in Baul style. For example, the song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' which has been adopted by Bangladesh as its national song and others, like 'Janaganamana-adhinayaka', India's national song are Dhrupad based and combine the feature of choral singing. It is in his songs of nature that Tagore comes out in the fullness of his genius as a composer. He employs classical ragas, combines them felicitously to fully unfold the nuances of the lyric and introduces a happy synthesis of folk tunes and ragas in a variety of appropriate time measures. In his songs of spring, Tagore has created a naturalistic myth of recurrence of life, most of such lyrics are for song and dance.

Musical Instruments
In instrumental music Bengal has produced great masters in the Sitar, the Sarod and the Esray. The great teacher, late Ustad Alauddin Khan has developed the art of the flute into the first rank for the exposition of classical music. The' modern' style has pressed into service the guitar, the violin cello and other musical gadgets of western origin. The portable box harmonium, which evolved in Calcutta about eight decades back is ubiquitous despite the frowns of orthodox classicists. For concert music the violin, the clarinets and the cornet are extensively used. Some itinerant rural singers also use the fiddle for accompaniment. The Bauls use the ektara and the dotara, bayan (percussion) and anklebells. The wealthy traditionally call for naabat consisting of the sehnai and nakkara (percussion) for 17 West Bengal

auspicious ceremonies. In major public celebration like the Durga Puja the instruments of choice are the Jaidhak (major Indian drum) and the Kansi (brass gong) played in a variety of rhythmus and time measures. The khol and cymbals are the invariable accompaniment for Kirtan music.

18 West Bengal

CULTURE OF WEST BENGAL

The state of West Bengal lies in the eastern region of India and is the thirteenth largest state in the country. Having being under the rule of various empires and dynasties, the state has evolved a rich mix of cultures and traditions. The manifestations of the culture of West Bengal can be found in various expressions of arts, and literature is one among them. Its literature has a rich heritage, shared with Bangladesh, which was once a part of the undivided India. The literary heritage of West Bengal has been enriched by Michael Madusudhan Dutt, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Rabindranath Tagore, and Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Many eminent modern authors and poets of West Bengal have started from where these greats have left and have further developed the Bengali literature with their quality literary outputs. Besides West Bengal has its own version of fairy tales for children, which is known as Thakurmar Jhuli. These enchanting collections of stories of princes and princesses, flying horses, kings, queens, demons and ogresses have held their sway even in these changing times of Harry Potter. In music, a unique heritage of the Bangla folk music is the baul tradition. Bauls are the folk singers of rural Bengal who wander from village to village singing their songs, which with their simple lyrics manage to capture the complex truths of life. Their livelihood primarily depends upon common people's patronage. Baul singers often play ektara, which is a single stringed instrument, along with their songs. Besides folk music, West Bengal's musical repertoire is enriched by the sublime expressions of Rabindrasangeet- the songs of Tagore- which show a unique synthesis of the western and Indian classical music traditions. One of the modern movements in the musical scenario of West Bengal is the Jeebonmukhi Gaan, which tries to capture the idiosyncrasies, complexities and dichotomies of modern life with unconventional perspectives. Suman Chattopadhyay(Kabir Suman), Anjan Dutta and Nachiketa are the chief proponents of this modern musical genre that makes a successful attempt to encapsulate the tensions and frustrations, and little joys and failures of our modern life. The state also has a rich heritage in North Indian classical music. In dance, Chau dance of Purulia is a rare from of dance, where the dancers wear masks. The Bengali film industry, dubbed as Tollywood, is located in Kolkata. Some of the cinematic maestros of West Bengal are Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Rituparno Ghosh, Aparna Sen and Goutam Ghose. Costumes are another expression of the culture of West Bengal. The women of West Bengal traditionally wear saris, though salwar kameez and western wear are also gaining currency. In urban areas, western attire is favoured by many. Among men, western wear is preferred over traditional Indian costumes. However, men, especially during religious occasions, also wear kurta and payjama, or dhoti, thereby donning the typical Bengali style of dressing. Festive occasions of West Bengal are numerous, the most famous of which is the Durga Pooja, which is generally being held in October. The Bengali new year, also known as Poila Baishakh, Rathayatra, Dolyatra, the Poushparbon, Kali puja, Saraswati puja, Lakshmi puja, Buddha Purnima which marks the birth of Buddha, etc are some of the other festivities of the region. In cuisines, rice and fish are the favourite traditional foods of West Bengal. In recent years, meat consumption has also increased significantly. Another traditional dish in 19 West Bengal

the rural West Bengal is the pantabhat, which is rice, soaked overnight in water. Some other popular food items germane to West Bengal include beguni, kati roll, and phuchka. Its recorded history dates back to two thousand years, and having being under various rules over the years, West Bengal is rich in its traditions and culture.

Bengal Traditional Costume

BengalWest Bengal, like many other places in the world, is a place of contrasts- a curious blend of the old and the new, partly feudal, partly born out of growing urbanization, partly undefinable. Fish, crowds, politics, potholes, monuments, art and cinema, cricket and soccer- all are indispensable parts of Bengal. The state is, in its physical form, a complete representation of the Indian subcontinent. `Catching the cold` comes easy to Bengalis. It`s a skill thats acquired almost immediately after birth. Watch a Bengali baby and you would know. Wrapped in layers of warm clothing even if the sun is boiling the mercury, the baby learns quickly that his chances of survival in a Bengali household depend on how tightly he can wrap himself in cotton, linen and wool. Bengalis have almost romanticised warm clothing, so much so that Bengali art has found eloquent expression in a form of quilt-stitchwork called kantha. West Bengal,In winter, the quintessential Bengali`s outfit puts the polar bear to shame. Packaged in at least seven layers of clothing and the head snugly packed inside the queerest headgear, the monkey cap, he takes the chill head on. Easy lies the head that wears the monkey cap. With a pom-pom at the top, its not just a fashion statement; it`s a complete fashion paragraph. For a race that is perpetually running scared of cold weather, Bengalis have a surprising affinity for hill stations. Probably, warmth of heart is best preserved in shawls, pullovers and cardigans. In an age when you are judged by how cool or uncool you are, the warmth that the kakus, jethus and mashimas exude can melt icebergs.

Costumes of West Bengal

20 West Bengal

Costumes of West Bengal represent a striking blend of tradition and cultural prosperity. The costumes of West Bengal reflect the states cosmopolitan culture. In an Indian state that houses a multi-ethnic population, the range and variation in costumes is breathtaking. From the use of traditional fabrics, designs and motifs to the incorporation of western attires and styles within the Bengalis cultural domain, the apparels of West Bengal display fine works of artistry and sophistication. For the men in West Bengal, the traditional garment is the dhoti and the panjabi. Dhotis are lengthy pieces of fabric spun in cotton or silk worn by the Hindus. Previously, dhotis were prevalent only in white though at present colored dhotis are also in vogue. The dhoti is tied at the waist and wrapped around like a loin cloth passing in between the legs. It is suitably matched by a Panjabi, worn atop, also made of silk or cotton. The Panjabis are loosely fitted garments, reaching close to the knees and are available in a wide variety of colours. The lungi is another variation of the dhotis worn by men in West Bengal. It is also wound around the waist and is often plaid. Over the years, the traditional dhoti and Panjabi have lost much of their appeal and the pajamas are in vogue. While western attire has overtaken the dhotis popularity as regular wear, the combination of dhoti and panjabi is an irreplaceable ingredient during traditional festivals and occasions like the Durga Puja and wedding ceremonies. In the rural areas, though, the dhoti is worn by the men as regular attire. The graceful icon of elegance that symbolises the quintessential Bengali woman is the saree. Indian sarees can be draped in various ways. In Bengal, a section the saree is wrapped around the waist and the remaining portion is swathed over the shoulder. In the olden days, women had to cover their heads with the ends of their sari or pall as a mark of respect for the family elders. However, such conventions have subsided gradually with the passage of time. They are worn with immense poise and perfection especially during Social occasions and festivals. Saris are worn over petticoats or long skirts tied at the waist with cords which help in keeping the sari tightly fastened about the waist. The exquisite beauty of a saree is further enhanced when it is accessorised aptly with a blouse. At present, blouses are available in multitudes of fashionable patterns which when teamed with a saree does wonders to the attire. The salwar kameez is nowadays equally popular among the Bengali women as the sarees. Salwars are loosely fitted trousers worn with a kameez or long tunic. During wedding ceremonies however, the Bengali women usually resort to the traditional Banarasi sarees in shades of red coupled with a golden veil to cover their heads. Ornamented with glittering stones and detailed threadwork, sarees are characteristic of the refined Bengali woman of today. In West Bengal, sarees are primarily woven in cotton and silk. These sarees have been named primarily after their weaving techniques. The traditional weavers or tantis of West Bengal are reputed worldwide because of the quality of fabric spun and their intricate threadwork. In the various districts of West Bengal like Murshidabad , Malda, Nadia, 21 West Bengal

Birbhum, Bankura and Hooghly, different varieties of sarees are woven with supreme efficiency and dedication. Bengal silk is famous for its refined quality and texture. Earlier, the cultivation of mulberry was common in almost every corner of Bengal. However, at present it is concentrated mostly in the districts of Birbhum, Murshidabad and Malda. The town of Baluchar located in Murshidabad is famed for the incredible threadwork on silk called Baluchari . The Baluchari sarees are noted for their elaborate designing in the pallu and borders with prominent motifs of a specific kind known as kalka. These motifs are woven with silver zari and often display Puranic tales. The kalka motif can be observed in the Garad and Korial sarees as well, which are variants of the Baluchari and are woven in silk. While the silk Baluchari sarees are renowned internationally, Baluchari weaves on the cotton sarees are no less unique. Jamdani sarees of West Bengal are extremely popular though different variations of Jamdani are also available across the border in Bangladesh. The term Jamdani primarily refers to a form of cotton called muslin or mul mul. Muslin has immense finesse and they are woven into different floral and geometric patterns on various forms of silk, like tussar.In West Bengal, the Jamdani sarees are available in a variety of colors and are favored by the modern Bengali woman because of its light texture. In the district of Nadia, the rural community of Shantipur is well-known for the superior quality of Shantipuri Jamdani sarees that display delicate threadwork. The districts of West Bengal are also home to the very prevalent Tangai sarees. It derives its name from the village of Tangail in Bangladesh where the traditional weavers resided. However, since the post-British era, most of the artisans are residents of Samudragarh, Fulia, Sainthia, Dainhat and Dhatrigram of West Bengal. The Tangail sarees are characterised by their use of diverse colour patterns which produce a novel effect called meekari. Some of the most prevalent motifs used in these sarees are lamp and lotus imageries. Another variation of the Jamdani saree is the Dhaniakhali Jamdani. It is available in brighter shades and is characterised by extended wide borders, often referred to as maatha or beluaari paar . This variant of Jamdani is affordably priced and hence used commonly by the women in West Bengal. It is interesting to note that the Dhaniakhali aarong gained popularity due to their utilization in dhotis for men. Apart from these traditional handlooms, West Bengal is well-known for its delicate and fine threadwork known as kantha . The kantha stitch is a supreme work of art and requires utmost concentration and meticulousness. Initially, it referred to the needlework done on coloured patchwork coverlets put together from redundant apparels. These quilts were to serve as covers during the winter. However, now the kantha stitch has been incorporated for use on designing clothing garments like sarees and has gained immense popularity. West Bengal is also home to plenty of tribes who display enormous variety with reference to their costumes. The men of the Magh tribe, for instance, cover their heads with a special form of headgear commonly referred to as goungpoung during the festive season. This is accompanied by the prakha angyi which is a fitted coat wrapped over the shirt. Body art or tattoos are quite popular among them as well as the Mahli tribesmen of West Bengal. 22 West Bengal

The costumes of West Bengal are suitably accessorized by exquisitely designed jewellery which is indigenous to its rich culture. The class of artisans involved in the art of making jewellery is known as swankars and they are eminent for their proficiency in mastering the complex art of jewellery designing. Silver and gold along with alloys of zinc and precious stones were mostly used for jewellery production. While traditional designs are still in vogue, recent trends dictate a preference towards lighter accessories. Conventionally, there are various different kinds of accessories that are inclusive of a Bengali womans trousseau. In weddings, mostly, women adorn their foreheads with a thin string of small gold chain often strewn with pearls and precious stones. This is the tikli . Gold chokers decorated with gems and diamonds are commonly worn by the women of West Bengal in social ceremonies. The women also embellish themselves with a variety of bangles and bracelets like the mantasha and also the ratanchur which can retrace its origin to the Mughal era. The tribal jewellery of West Bengal has also achieved immense popularity because of its exclusivity. A supreme example here would be the dokra artworks. Dokra jewellery is produced by means of a process called cire perdue, the most primitive mode of metal casting known. Over the years, different civilizations have left their mark upon the culture of West Bengal which finds its manifestation in the varied costumes and accessories of the people of the State. With the progress of the passage of time, a shift towards western trends has been noticed. Yet, such cross-cultural influences have by no means demeaned the worth of the traditional garbs.

MOMUMENTS OF WEST BENGAL

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The heart of West Bengal or Kolkata was founded by the British and has a history of around 400 years. The city of wonders - Kolkata is mentioned in the Ain-E-Akbari, which is an encyclopedic work compiled by Abul Fazl, Prime Minister of Emperor Akbar. There are very few old monuments in West Bengal of pre-British origin. However the British constructed a handful of buildings for developmental purposes of the city. Some of these constructions were integrally associated with the Indian freedom struggle and thus gave them a monumental stature. Some of the prominent monuments among them are Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, Raj Bhawan, Shaheed Minar, BBD Bagh and Writers` Building. Victoria Memorial , Kolkata Howrah Bridge is the symbol of modernization in West Bengal. This monumental structure has always been under focus of the lens men of the 50s and then immortalized in the Hindi movie with the similar name. A visit to Kolkata begins at the Howrah Bridge. It is a 1500 ft single span suspension bridge over Hooghly River that was completed in 1943. Three bridges are built on the Hooghly River but Howrah Bridge is the busiest one. The traffic density on this bridge is the maximum in the world. Many watch the busy, swarming population on the Howrah Bridge by taking a ferry in the Hooghly River or while the sidewalks of the bridge. The Bridge has been renamed as Rabindra Setu but the popular name is still the Howrah Bridge. Victoria Memorial is an excellently crafted legacy of the British Raj, featuring a royal statue of Queen Victoria made in bronze. Moreover, there are also two brass canons protecting the statue and landscaped gardens with well-trimmed pathways. The pattern of this Memorial was designed by Lord Curzon and was inaugurated in 1921 by the Prince of Wales. The Memorial possesses marble statues, galleries stacked with British Raj memorabilia, elegantly crafted domes. The paranormal light and sound shows are organized in the evening. The memorial is closed on Mondays for maintenance purpose. Raj Bhawan was built in the 1800 and is a superb instance of Gothic architecture in West Bengal. The British Governor General of India used Raj Bhawan as his residence and office complex. Today Raj Bhawan happens to be the office complex and residence of the Governor of West Bengal. The entry to the place is strictly restricted and public entry is generally prohibited. Saheed Minar of West Bengal Saheed Minar is the `Monument of Martyrs` and rise upto a height of almost 158 feets with an Egyptian style minaret with a surmounting dome on top. The monument commemorates British Army`s victory in the battle against Nepalese Army in 1814. Saheed Minar was originally named Octarloni Monument on the name of the British General David Octarloni who was the leader of the battle. Associated with the Indian Freedom Movement, Saheed Minar was the venue for frequent political seminars. After the Indian Independence the Octarloni Monument was renamed as Shahid Minar as a mark of respect for the freedom fighters and its association in the freedom struggle. The balcony in the dome at the top of the monument offers a panoramic scene of Kolkata. BBD Bagh is a small place located to the south of Rabindra Setu. The pond called the Lal Dighi in the middle of the garden was once the main source of water to the nearby areas. The place is now known as Dalhousie Square or Tank Square or Lal Dighi Square. The 24 West Bengal

British immortalized the place by making the sport of execution of three Indian freedom fighters, Benoy, Badal and Dinesh who went forth to protest the opposing party for the partition of Bengal. The name BBD was derived from the first letters of the three names of the martyrs. Writer`s Building is build based on the European architecture. This red colored building dates back to the 17th century and is well maintained as the office of the State Chief Minister. Writer`s Building was originally built to accommodate the clerical and administrative staff of the East India Company. However, the spectacular one storey building in BBD Bagh was later expanded to let in more staff. The Fort William College of Calcutta was initially located here. Today the Chief Minister Office complex has three more colossal buildings, which accommodate around 6000 office workers to carry out the affairs of the state. St Paul`s Cathedral is the Anglican Cathedral of KolkataSt Paul`s Cathedral is the Anglican Cathedral of Kolkata, built in 1847 and stands adjacent to the Birla Planetarium. It is 65m high. Marble Palace stands on Muktarambabu Street off Chittaranjan Avenue in North Kolkata. Marble Palace is famous for its marble walls and floors, paintings, antique collections, rare birds, floor to ceiling mirrors and marble statues. This monument remains closed on Mondays and Thursdays. National Library was initially called the Vice-Regal House. It is one of the largest libraries with the unique collections of vintage books and manuscripts in Asia. The library is located opposite to the Zoological Gardens of Alipore. Kolkata High Court is the highest seat of judiciary in West Bengal. It is one of the oldest in India that dates back to the year 1872. Kolkata High Court is exquisitely built in the Gothic style of architecture and is considered to be a landmark of Kolkata. An extension was added later that perfectly blends with its original architectural symmetry. Kolkata High Court is located near Eden Gardens. Hazarduari Palace of Murshidabad was the palace of the Nawab. The literal meaning of this monument is the "palace with thousand doors". Built during the 1830s by General Duncan McLeod of the Bengal Engineers, the structure features a banquet hall lined with mirrors and a circular Durbar Hall. Hazarduari Palace comprises of 1000 doors, 114 rooms and 8 galleries. The monument is now transformed into a museum with fine exhibits, such as a gigantic chandelier, presented by Queen Victoria. The museum has a library that house more than 10, 000 books. Curzon Gate, also known as Vijay Toran is a majestic structure constructed by the king of Burdwan Maharaja Bijoy Chand Mahatab in 1903 in the honor of Lord Curzon. Tomb of Sher Afghan West Bengal Tomb of Sher Afghan is the last construction of the Afghan jagirdars in Bardhaman.Thousands of visitors visits the site during festive occasion. Meghnad Saha Planetarium within the premises of Burdwan University is a planetarium built by the help of Japanese government. It is well equipped with latest technological instruments for public shows since 1994. Ramakrishna Math is a monastic organization and also a monument established by 25 West Bengal

Sri Ramakrishna, the great 19th century saint of Bengal who is regarded as the Prophet of the Modern Age. Swami Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966. ISKCON is a worldwide confederation of 10,000 temple devotees and 250,000 congregational devotees amidst the monument carrying out Hare Krishna movement. Himalayan Mountaineering institute is a monument on the Birch Hill of Darjeeling. The institute trains mountaineers and has a small museum with fascinating Himalayan peaks all around.

FESTIVALS OF WEST BENGAL

The festivals of West Bengal can be redefined as a spiritual canvas of soul stirring celebration.

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Mahalaya
The festivals of West Bengal would not only enliven your spirits but also would be a warm welcome from the monotonous schedule of your regular life. The festivals of the state of West Bengal are in fact characterized by joyous ceremonies, enthusiasm paralleled with ample fun and celebration. Not only that during the festive celebrations the rich and the poor alike assemble together to enhance the spirit of their festive moods. The festivals of West Bengal embody the robust and composite cultural heritage of our nation. Various communities of the Indian subcontinent celebrate as many as forty festivals with complete communal concordance. The most important festival of the Bengalis of West Bengal are:

Durga Puja
Durga Puja Durga Puja is the most important festival of West Bengal. The familiar sounds of drums or `Dhak`, the `Dhunuchi nach`, the mild fragrance of the Shiuli blossoms gives a tug at every Bengali heart. This festival is observed in the months of September/October and in not only limited to Bengal only. A spirit of euphoria sets in during the four-day festive celebrations. The whole state is found to explode into a riot of colors during the Durga Puja celebrations. For the Bengali community the advent of Goddess Durga along with her children from her icy abode in Kailash to her maternal house is believed to bring prosperity among the rich and poor alike. The religious rites and rituals are celebrated by all with much veneration. Prasads are distributed everyday after the daily rituals get over.

Naba Barsho
Naba Barsho This much-awaited festival of West Bengal is the New Year celebration of the Bengali community and is celebrated in the month of Baisakh or in the month of April. It is an extreme joyous occasion for the Bengalis and the businessmen in particular. It is a great time for visiting the temples and relatives, making offerings, buying new clothes, greeting people and much more.

Diwali
The worship of Goddess Kali makes the festival of Diwali in the state of West Bengal very unique. The 27 West Bengal

houses and temples all over the state are vivaciously decorated and lit with oil lamps, candles or `diyas`. All the family members gather around in the evening for the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. In this state the Diwali festival stretches over a period of three days. The first two days mainly comprises of feasting, gambling, drinking, family foregatherings, lighting of fire crackers and other such activities. The celebrations and lights are much less on the final day of Amavasya. Exchange of gifts and greetings also form a vital part of the festivities.

Holi
Holi The festive celebration of Holi in the state of West Bengal is almost similar to that of Orissa except for some minor aspects. The other names by which the festival of Holi is popular in this state are `Dol Purnima`, `Vasant Utsav`. This festival was started in this state by the far-famed pet laureate Rabindranath Tagore at the University of Shantiniketan of which he was the pioneer. The youth of the state not only welcomes the season of spring with colors and sweets but also by chanting of hymns and other devotional songs. Holika is burnt in the evening as the symbol of the victory of good over evil.

Rath Yatra
The Rath Yatra festival celebrated in the region of Mahesh few miles away from Calcutta in the state of West Bengal attracts lakhs of tourists from all over the state as well as the country. This day is considered as very auspicious and marks the start of the sowing season for the monsoon crop throughout Eastern India. Grand fairs are held throughout the state.

Saraswati Puja
Saraswati Puja This is one of the most devotional festivals of West Bengal and the worship of Goddess Saraswati is held at a time when the winter comes to an end and the spring begins. A midst the pleasant weather the worship of Goddess Saraswati starts early in the morning with `aarti`. The chanting of various `mantras` marks the beginning of the `arti` and `boi puja` also forms an important aspect. This festival is celebrated in all schools and colleges and the youth can be seen participating in the puja with much enthusiasm. It is also marked as the day of eating plums.

Janmashtami
This festival is celebrated in West Bengal with much exuberance and ebullience to mark the birth of the Lord of Love, Krishna. It falls on the day of Ashtami in the Sharavan month according to the Hindu calendar. In the 28 West Bengal

Krishna temples Rasila is performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and to commemorate his love for Radha.

Rakhi/Rakshabandhan
Rakhi/Rakshabandhan This is one of the popular festivals of West Bengal and marks the love and affection between brothers and sisters. On this special day the sisters tie a colorful band on the wrists of their brothers with the belief that this will bring peace, success and good health to their brothers` life throughout the year. The brothers also take a vow on their part to protect their sister against all perils. They also present their sisters with some gifts as a token of love.

Bhratri Dwitiya
This festival is celebrated in the state of West Bengal with as much exuberance as in the other states. It is a festival purely dedicated to the love and affection between brothers and sisters. Brothers bless their sisters and also promise to protect them from all hardships. The celebration of Bhratri Dwitiya or Bhaiya Dooj in this state can be redefined as a bond that speaks of sensitivity and timeless relationship.

Jagaddhatri Puja
Jagaddhatri Puja This festival is celebrated with much fun and frolic in the Bengali month of Kartick or in the English month of November. In the region of Chandannagar, near Kolkata huge pandals are built and decorated with lights. The illumination part makes the festive celebrations of Chandannagar rightly take pride in its highly rich heritage and tradition of art and culture. This festival bridges the past and the present.

Muslim Festivals
The Muslim festivals are celebrated in the state of West Bengal with much fun and vigor. The principal Islam festivals of West Bengal are Muharrum, Iduzzoha, Id-Ul-Fitr and the birthday of the prophet.

Muharrum
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This is one of the special Muslim festivals of West Bengal and commemorates the martyrdom of the prophet`s grandsons, Hasan and Hussain in the battle of Karbala in Arabia. The Sunni sect of Muslims carries on a warlike procession enacting mock fights and exhibitions of prowess. The Shia sect of Muslims also takes out processions of mourning with men and women all dressed in black and singing especially composed elegies.

Id-Ul-Fitr
Id-Ul-Fitr This is one of the most important Muslim festivals of West Bengal and is celebrated in the state with as much fervor and enthusiasm as it is celebrated all over the country. This propitious festival marks the end of the month of Ramzan. After a full month of fasting the Muslims of West Bengal look forward to the festive celebration with a heart full of cheerful ideas. They prepare elaborate feasts and organize fairs for rejoicing and enjoyment. The Muslims also assemble for religious discourses, which are regarded as a main part of the observances.

Iduzzoha
This festival is also known as Id-Ul-Korbab or Bakri-Id and is one of the compulsory Muslim festivals of West Bengal. Animal sacrifice is one of the chief features of this festival. The mythological basis of the observance is related to Prophet Abraham of the Old Testament.

Christmas
ChristmasThis is the most splendid Christian festival of West Bengal. In the `City of Joy` the Christmas festivities continues till the New Year. From the month of November itself, part of the Maidan in central Kolkata is converted in to fairgrounds. Brightly decorated Christmas trees can be observed in the houses of many and also the churches. The city is resonant with an assortment of fairs and cultural performances. The spirit of Christmas comes alive in Christmas carols that rend the air.

Dances of West Bengal

The culture of West Bengal is renowned, worldwide, for its richness and variety. The cuisines, music, costumes, language and wonderful dances of the state are important constituents of its rich and varied culture. The folk dance forms of West Bengal are known for their beauty and fervor. The dance encyclopedia of this rich culture includes a wide variety within itself. Each region of the state has something different to exhibit. Altogether, it forms a wonderful combination of varied dance forms. Here, we 30 West Bengal

will provide you information on the six most popular dance forms of West Bengal.

Folk Dances of West Bengal

Brita Dance The land of West Bengal is famous for its festive culture and adorable art. Music and beats run in the veins of Bengali people. There are several kinds of folk music and dances prevalent in various parts of the state. Amongst the chosen few, the Brita Dance, also known as Vrita Dance, is considered to be very special. Gambhira Dance The folk dances of West Bengal hold a special place in Bengali culture. They complement the beautiful culture of the state, by their colorfulness and festivity. Initially, the folk dances were either agricultural or devotional. Gradually, the agricultural dances gave place to dances more inclined towards devotion and religion. One of the famous devotional dances of Bengal is Gambhira. Chhau Dance Chhau Dance is one of the most renowned tribal martial dances of India. The dance is known as Seraikella Chau in Jharkhand, Mayurbhanj Chau in Orissa and Purulia Chhau in West Bengal. Since the dance is supposed to have originated in the Purulia district of Bengal, it is known as such in the state. Purulia Chhau dance differs quite a lot from its counterparts. Santhal Dance Santhal is one of the most abundantly found tribes in India. A major chunk of this tribe can be found in West Bengal and Jharkhand. Santhal tribe has a rich cultural lineage and immense solidarity. Its members are basically the devotees of 'Thakurji', the deity they believe created this world. They move to the beats of music, to celebrate the glory of nature, raise a message and offer prayers.

Tusu Dance West Bengal is a land of rich culture and lots of festivity. Almost every region in the state has a specific folk dance and music attached to it. These folk traditions are basically related to some specific season of festival. The Tusu Dance of Birbhum district is one of them. It is basically performed in the month of Pausa, during the

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Gregorian months of December and January. Lathi Dance Dance is a unique art of expression. Be it celebration, remorse, anger, love or pain, dance moves can clearly define every expression. Talking about the Lathi dance of West Bengal, performed on Muharram, it confines within itself the feeling of remorse and anger, associated with this Muslim festival. During the first ten days of Muharram, the Lathi players display their art at several places.

Wildlife of West Bengal

West Bengals wild life offers a fascinating diversity of terrain, flora and fauna. It is a delight for nature lovers. It is the home to the World Heritage Site Sundarbans.

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Sundarbans owes its name to the Sundari trees which is found in abundance in this area. The Sunderbans harbors jungle cats, fishing cats, Axis deer, wild boar, Rhesus monkeys, mongooses and the largest estuarine crocodiles in the world. It is the breeding ground for a large number of birds like the Heron, Egret, Cormorant, Fishing Eagle, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Seagull, Tern, Kingfisher as well as migratory birds like Whimprel, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Stint, Eastern Knot, Curlew, Sandpiper, Golden Plover, Pintail, White-eyed Pochard and also Whistling teal. Here, one can discover a wide variety of aquatic and reptile life forms such as the Olive Ridley sea turtle, hard-shelled Batgur Terrapin, Pythons, King cobra, Chequered killback, Monitor and lizards including the Salvatore lizards. In addition to the Bengal tiger, the Sundarbans host many other endangered species like the Ganges River Dolphin, river terrapin, estuarine crocodile etc. The mangrove forest also acts as a natural fish nursery, supporting coastal fishes along the Bay of Bengal. The forested area of Northern West Bengal presents overabundance wildlife. Here a land that stretches for 130 kms allows nature to lavish all her boundaries. A lot of wildlife can also be found in the Dooars. Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary situated in Alipurduar SubDivision of Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal is about 124 km from Siliguri. This sanctuary was constituted for the protection of Wild Life, particularly one-horned rhinos, an animal threatened with extinction. The forest is mainly savannah covered with tall elephant grasses. The wild life, in addition to one-horned rhinos, consists of Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants, deer, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer and hog deer, wild pig, bisons and a number of birds, pea fowls. Elephant safaris can be enjoyed at the Sanctuary.

There are five national parks in the state Sundarbans National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park and Singalila National Park. Wildlife includes the Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephants, deer, bison, leopards, gaur, and crocodiles. The state is also rich in bird life. Migratory birds come to the state during the winter. The high altitude forests like Singalila National Park shelter barking 33 West Bengal

deer, red panda, chinkara, takin, serow, pangolin, minivet and Kalij pheasants. Wildlife in these protected areas includes the Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephants, deer, bison, leopards, gaur, and crocodiles. The state is also rich in bird life. The high altitude forests like Singalila National Park shelter barking deer, red panda, chinkara, takin, serow, pangolin, minivet and Kalij pheasants.

BIBLOGRAPHY
www.google.com www.yahoo.com Traditional Indian costumes

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CONCULSION
In conclusion we can say that West Bengal is cultural center. it has a rich culture, art & craft, museum, fairs and festivals, music & dances, traditional costumes and wildlife etc. I 35 West Bengal

learnt a while making this report. I am very much inspired from embroidery and art & craft of west Bengal.

36 West Bengal