SANDEEP SINGH GSEB SOCIAL SCIENCE NOTES.....................

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Unit 2 Cultural Heritage of India: Handicraft

Synopsis
Heritage is what is passed on from one generation to another. India heritage is divided into
cultural and natural heritage. The result of the close relation between nature, environment and
human life is natural heritage. It includes features like mountains, forests, deserts, rivers,
streams, seas, trees, plants, creepers, flowers, insects etc. The physical and mental
characteristics that a child inherits from the parents by birth is known as genetic inheritance.
The estates, land, properties, assets that a child inherits from the parents are called material
heritage.
Clay Work: Before the invention of metal, clay things were used. Toys, pots, pitchers,
earthen lamps, clay wares were made by the potter to store grains, milk, ghee, curd and
buttermilk. The walls of the houses, kubas (clay hut) and streets were made of clay. Remains
of ancient Harappan pottery work are found at Kalibangan (Rajasthan). Utensils were made
of
unbaked clay as well as baked clay (terracotta).

Weaving :Muslin of Dhaka was so fine that a Taka of the cloth could easily pass through
a ring and could be adjusted in a matchbox. Galicha (carpets), Bandhani of Rajasthan,
Kanjivaram Saree of South India and the Kashmiri cloth having Kasab work were famous.
During the reign of Siddhraj Jaisingh many artisans (weavers) came and settled in Patan and
wove Patolas for more than 850. The Patola silk sarees are woven with Bevad Ikat in such a
manner that it can be worn on either sided. It has a lot of variety and durability. Bandhani of
Rajasthan and Jamnagar, Jetpur, Bhuj and Mandavi in Gujarat are very popular. It has
beautiful designs of elephant, puppet and dice.
Embroidery: Embroidery and weaving is a small-scale industry for Gujarati women. It has
subdivisions of silk-work, Ari-bharat thread work. Women make Torans, Chakla (wallpieces),
Shakh, Todaliya and bed sheets. Clothes were decorated with various pictures of birds. The
embroidery works of Jat Community of Banni area of Kutch is world famous.
Leather Industry: In ancient times leather was used for making Mashak (leather bag for
fetching water), the bellows used by blacksmiths, shoes, purses, belts, leather straps for pets
were used widely. Leather was tanned traditionally. Well knitted Mojadi of Rajasthan are
famous. Various articles are also made of horse and camel leather like saaj, palan and lagaam.
Bead-work: Pearls and beads are found in plenty due to the surrounding seas of India. The
world famous diamond Kohinoor is found from India. Diamond studded ornaments are the
most precious. Rubies, beads, Emerald and Topaz were used to adorn the thrones and crowns
of kings and jewellery. Bead-work is prominent feature of Gujarat. People make beautiful
bead
Torans Pachhit (the hind wall of house), Bari (door-grills-frames) Chakla (a traditional
wall
piece) Lagna na Nariyel (artificial coconut prepared with beads) Indhoni, Modiya (a net

SANDEEP SINGH GSEB SOCIAL SCIENCE NOTES.....................7226005678

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which covers the mouth of a bullock) horns and hand fans with a an embroidered border
cloth.
Enamel Work: India is the only country in the world where expertise can be seen in enamel
Work. It deals with the inlay of `Meena in gold and silver ornaments. The enamel work of
Jaipur, Delhi in famous in red and green, while Varanasi for pink and Hyderabad is known for
its black enamel work.
Jari work:The jari work on sarees and other garments of Surat is very famous. Surat is als
famous for Ajrakhwork, Batikkam, knitting and embroidery Jardoshi work.
Metal Work (Engravery): Since Stone Age, people used to make weapons form flint. In
different ages, Bronze Age, Mental Age and Iron Age for their daily needs, things were
made out of bronze, metal and iron. Water pots, various utensils and idols were made.
Wooden Art:Wood is an integral part of human life. Intricately carved designs are done
on wood and in lac-work.The states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and our neighbouring
country Nepal are famous for wood work. The woodwork at Somnath (Prabhaspatan) is
more than 350 years old and it confirms to all the principles of Vaastu Shastra
(architecture). There is a variety of furniture like Bajoth (low level stool used on
auspicious occasions), swings, cup-boards found in places like Idar, Siddhpur and
Sankheda.
Inlay Work: Inlay work is a very ancient art. It is done on gold Jewellery and Statues and it
is famous in India and abroad. For the inlay diamond and and other precious stones and metal
are used. Bikaner in Rajasthen is famous for inlay ornaments. The inlay work in done in
jewellery like rings, necklaces, Damni(Tiko), Chuni (nosepin), nose rings, Kundal (Earrings),
Kap (Earrings).
Jade and Akik Work:Since the Stone Age, people used to make Stone- weapons from flint.
Agate is a precious stone found from the river valleys. It is a Chalcedonic (silica mixed)
stone, blue or white in colour, formed by the atmospheric changes and reactions with water.
Silica is formed due to the changes in atmosphere and water. In Gujarat, agate is polished
in Khambhat and found in Ahmedabad, Ranpur and Surat.
Painting: It is the foremost of all art forms. It is expressed through lines and colours. Its aim
is to express human emotions by imitating the animate and in animate objects of nature
through lines and colours. In Vishnupuran, it is said that painting is like Sumeru amongst the
mountains, the eagle amongst the birds and the king amongst the people. Evidence proves
that the ancient Indian art of painting was also found nearly 5000 years ago. The Harappan
people used to draw geometrical lines, creepers and flowers on clay utensils. Cave painting of
primitive man of the Stone Age are found at Bhim Betka (M.P) there are figures of elephant,
rhinoceros, deer in them. The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta-Ellora are incomparable.
Music : Indian Music is different from the music of other countries from the point of view of
tune, rhythm and harmony. It involves singing and playing and is divided into classical and
folk. It has five main ragas- Shree, Bhairavi, Deepak, Hindol and Megha. These ragas are
believed to have come from the `Panchmukh of Lord Shiva. The `Samveda is called
Gangotri of Indian music and is an important source to study the development of Indian
music.
Ancient Texts on music:

SANDEEP SINGH GSEB SOCIAL SCIENCE NOTES.....................7226005678

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Sangeet Makrand- written by scholar Narad around 900 BC. It describes 19 types of Veena
and 101 rhythms.
Sangeet Ratnakar- written by Pundit Sarangdev of Daulatabad who was familiar with both
South and North Indian Music. Pundit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkande has called it the most
authentic book on music which helps to understand all aspects of music.
Sangeet Parijat written by Pundit Ahobalein 1665, describing the North Indian type of
music. He has each raga and 29 types of tunes.
Other important MusiciansAmir Khushroo, the famous poet and musician during the time of Allaudin Khilji was known
as Tuti-e-Hind(Parrot of India). During the Bhakti Movement of the 15th and 16th Century, the
bhajans and holy songs of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Kabir, Tuslidas, Mirabai, Narsinh Mehta
were popular. The disciples of Swami Haridas- Baiju Bawra and Tansen were famous.
Dance :
A. Bharatnatyam: Place - Tanjore-Tamilnadu. Original Source - Natyashastra by
Bharatmuni, Abhinav Darpan by Nandikeshwar. Dancers - Mrinalini Sarabhai, Vaijanti Mala
and Hema Malini.
B. Kuchipudi : Place - Andhra Pradesh. Specialty - similar to Bharatnatyam
Dancers - Guru Prahlad Sharma, Raja Reddy and Shobha Naidu
C. Kathakali: Place Kerala. Specialty dance related to stories like battle between Ram
and Ravana, Nal-Damyanti, Jatayayuvadh, colourful costumes, pompous presentations,
pleated attires and crowns.
D. Kathak: Specialty- Dance of the Vaishnav community developed with Shringar bhakti of
Shr Krishna. The dance form believes in `Kathan kare so kathak kahave. Revived by- Nawab
Wajid Ali Shah of Lucknow. Dancers Gopikrishna and Birju Maharaj.
E. Manipuri- Specialty- gives importance to costume, expression, rhythm and dances are
related to Krishna Lila. The Manipuri dancers wear a pleated green coloured petticoat called
`Kumin. They wear a silk blouse and a belt around the waist.
F. Odissi - Classical dance of Orissa
Drama:It has the capacity to entertain both the literate and illiterate. Bhas: He is considered
the poet of poets (amongst them). He has given us 13 dramas like Karnabhaar,
Urubhanga, Dutvakyam. Pratigna Yogendrayanam and Swapnavasvadattam. His
dramas express Vir, Shrinagar and Shant Rasa. He was influenced by Mahabharat. Kalidas :
He is the first name in the field of Indian Sanskrit literature. His famous dramas are written in
Vaidharbhi form. His dramas are (VAM) Vikramovarshiyam, Abhignan Shakuntalam and
Malvikagnimitram. Bhavbhuti: He has written three dramas, which include Mahavir
Charitam, Maltimadhav, Uttaramcharit.