One
glimpse at the Indian village transport is adequate to decipher that
the traditional mode of transports in rural village comprised
palanquins, bullock carts and horse carriages. Besides these the beasts
of burden were also used in ancient days for moving from one place to
another. Indian village folk walked to travel from one place to another.
As civilisation ushered to the Iron Age from Stone Age, the Indian
village transports also developed gradually. The palanquin or `palkee`
was introduced as a village transport mainly for the convenience of
women travelers.
In the earlier days, palanquins or "palkee" were popular means of transport for women of all social strata. The decoration of the palkee referred to the status of the owner. The evolution of palanquins is rooted in the tradition of carrying the deities or idols; later during 15th century it was used for the transportation of common people. On the other hand, men generally utilised horses as modes of transportation.
With time bullock carts evolved as a popular mode of transport in Indian villages. These animals were widely used for ploughing fields and later, they were also made to pull carts. Most of the Indian villages are nestled by riverside. To travel to another village or to the town the village people had to cross the rivers. For this purpose boats were used. Even today boats are a commonly found in Indian villages and they remain as the only means of communication for the villagers.
During the British era the horse carriages evolved and eventually came to be widely used as transports in the Indian villages. These means of transport are prevalent till date. However, the modern form of horse carriages in the Indian villages is referred as "Tonga", and buggies (in Maharashtra). Other than villages, the `tongas` are still used and are popular tourist attractions across India.
Cycle rickshaw is a much-modernised form of transport in Indian
Villages, where two people can sit at the back and the driver pedals
manually from the front to move the vehicle further. In rural areas of
India, cycle rickshaws have become quite famous and a large number of
people also earn their living due to this transport system. Bicycles
have been an integral mode of transport in rural India too. The
cost-effective factor of this vehicle has made it popular among all age
groups of Indian villages. Vans or minibuses have become prevalent form
of transportation especially in remote areas of India; these vans run
along the common route with consistent yet small transportation needs.
In some Indian villages, there is another form of auto rickshaws called `fat-fat.` These run on fixed routes and on fixed fares and are very fuel-efficient. They usually carry as many as ten adults. Scooters and mopeds have been introduced in rural India lately for faster means of transport. Rarely jeeps and old models of cars are seen in Indian villages, carrying passengers from one place to another.
Indian Village Transport system has developed rapidly during the past years. However the traditional forms of transport like bullock carts and horse carriages are seen quite often and these rides add more hues to the Indian rural charm.
In the earlier days, palanquins or "palkee" were popular means of transport for women of all social strata. The decoration of the palkee referred to the status of the owner. The evolution of palanquins is rooted in the tradition of carrying the deities or idols; later during 15th century it was used for the transportation of common people. On the other hand, men generally utilised horses as modes of transportation.
With time bullock carts evolved as a popular mode of transport in Indian villages. These animals were widely used for ploughing fields and later, they were also made to pull carts. Most of the Indian villages are nestled by riverside. To travel to another village or to the town the village people had to cross the rivers. For this purpose boats were used. Even today boats are a commonly found in Indian villages and they remain as the only means of communication for the villagers.
During the British era the horse carriages evolved and eventually came to be widely used as transports in the Indian villages. These means of transport are prevalent till date. However, the modern form of horse carriages in the Indian villages is referred as "Tonga", and buggies (in Maharashtra). Other than villages, the `tongas` are still used and are popular tourist attractions across India.
Cycle rickshaw is a much-modernised form of transport in Indian
Villages, where two people can sit at the back and the driver pedals
manually from the front to move the vehicle further. In rural areas of
India, cycle rickshaws have become quite famous and a large number of
people also earn their living due to this transport system. Bicycles
have been an integral mode of transport in rural India too. The
cost-effective factor of this vehicle has made it popular among all age
groups of Indian villages. Vans or minibuses have become prevalent form
of transportation especially in remote areas of India; these vans run
along the common route with consistent yet small transportation needs. In some Indian villages, there is another form of auto rickshaws called `fat-fat.` These run on fixed routes and on fixed fares and are very fuel-efficient. They usually carry as many as ten adults. Scooters and mopeds have been introduced in rural India lately for faster means of transport. Rarely jeeps and old models of cars are seen in Indian villages, carrying passengers from one place to another.
Indian Village Transport system has developed rapidly during the past years. However the traditional forms of transport like bullock carts and horse carriages are seen quite often and these rides add more hues to the Indian rural charm.
INDIAN VILLAGE FESTIVALS
Indian Villages celebrate some of the unique festivals that reflect the
rural charm and simplicity of the Indian people. The villages of the
Indian states are special for their distinguished fairs and festivals,
however, festivals like Republic Day, Diwali, Gandhi Jayanti, Id-ul-
Fitr, Independence Day and Janmastami are celebrated nationwide. Besides
the religious festivals cultural ones are also predominant in the
Indian villages.
The Indian Village festivals according to the location of the villages are as follows -
North India Village Festivals - North India comprises the villages of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The composite culture and the festivals of North India are closely associated with the Himalayas and sacred rivers, passing across the states. Most of the festivals celebrated in these villages are common and similar in their themes. Karva Chauth, Vasant Panchami, Diwali, Lohri, Buddha Purnima, Kheer Bhawani are the commonly celebrated all across northern India.
East India Village Festivals - East Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa comprise the villages in this region. Cuisine plays a vital role in the eastern Indian festivals. An important feature of the festivals here is that these are diverse. While the most popular festivals celebrated in the villages of West Bengal are the Durga Puja and Kali Puja, Ratha Yatra is celebrated with lot of fervour in Orissa. The typical rural festivals of eastern India are Jatra Festival, Jhoolan, Poush Mela and Vasanta Utsav. Cultural festivals are also an important part of the East Indian village festivals.
North-East India Village Festivals - The northeastern states of India are Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Tripura and Manipur. The culture of these northeastern villages vastly depends on the migrated tribal customs and traditions. The villages of Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland celebrate some tribal festivals like Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut, Ningol Chakouba, Heikru Hitongba among many others.
South India Village Festivals - The villages of South India belong to the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra. The South Indian culture mostly includes festivals that are related to their coconut preparations, religion and water games; their common festivals are Onam, Pongal and numerous festivals on music and dance are quite popular in south Indian villages. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are into several tribal festivals, due to their major tribal population.
Central India Village Festivals
- The Central Indian villages belong to the states of Madhya Pradesh
and Chhattisgarh. Arwa Teej, Kajri Navami, Bhojali and Chherta are the
common festival of the rural areas in central India. Splendor,
traditional songs, dances and colourful dresses are indispensable from
these Indian village festivals.
West India Village Festivals - The West Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat have some of the most colorful and cultural villages, celebrating the traditional festivals. These festivities date back to the customs of the early raja and maharaja eras. Besides celebrating the popular Hindu festivals, Jain and Buddhist festivals are also integrated in the culture of these villages.
India is a land of unique festivals, retaining its culture and historical significance; the Indian villages are no exception. The rural Indian boasts some of the oldest and exceptional traditions that have grown as distinguished festivals that not only serve entertainment, but also speaks volumes about the Indian heritage and history. The geographic divisions of India definitely divide the language, rituals and festivals. However, the spirit with which the Indian village festivals are celebrated remain, predominantly, similar.
The Indian Village festivals according to the location of the villages are as follows - North India Village Festivals - North India comprises the villages of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The composite culture and the festivals of North India are closely associated with the Himalayas and sacred rivers, passing across the states. Most of the festivals celebrated in these villages are common and similar in their themes. Karva Chauth, Vasant Panchami, Diwali, Lohri, Buddha Purnima, Kheer Bhawani are the commonly celebrated all across northern India.
East India Village Festivals - East Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa comprise the villages in this region. Cuisine plays a vital role in the eastern Indian festivals. An important feature of the festivals here is that these are diverse. While the most popular festivals celebrated in the villages of West Bengal are the Durga Puja and Kali Puja, Ratha Yatra is celebrated with lot of fervour in Orissa. The typical rural festivals of eastern India are Jatra Festival, Jhoolan, Poush Mela and Vasanta Utsav. Cultural festivals are also an important part of the East Indian village festivals.
North-East India Village Festivals - The northeastern states of India are Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Tripura and Manipur. The culture of these northeastern villages vastly depends on the migrated tribal customs and traditions. The villages of Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland celebrate some tribal festivals like Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut, Ningol Chakouba, Heikru Hitongba among many others.
South India Village Festivals - The villages of South India belong to the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra. The South Indian culture mostly includes festivals that are related to their coconut preparations, religion and water games; their common festivals are Onam, Pongal and numerous festivals on music and dance are quite popular in south Indian villages. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are into several tribal festivals, due to their major tribal population.
Central India Village Festivals
- The Central Indian villages belong to the states of Madhya Pradesh
and Chhattisgarh. Arwa Teej, Kajri Navami, Bhojali and Chherta are the
common festival of the rural areas in central India. Splendor,
traditional songs, dances and colourful dresses are indispensable from
these Indian village festivals. West India Village Festivals - The West Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat have some of the most colorful and cultural villages, celebrating the traditional festivals. These festivities date back to the customs of the early raja and maharaja eras. Besides celebrating the popular Hindu festivals, Jain and Buddhist festivals are also integrated in the culture of these villages.
India is a land of unique festivals, retaining its culture and historical significance; the Indian villages are no exception. The rural Indian boasts some of the oldest and exceptional traditions that have grown as distinguished festivals that not only serve entertainment, but also speaks volumes about the Indian heritage and history. The geographic divisions of India definitely divide the language, rituals and festivals. However, the spirit with which the Indian village festivals are celebrated remain, predominantly, similar.
INDIAN VILLAGE ART
The Indian village scene is full of surprises and talent. Apart from the
basic occupation of farming, the Indian villagers, being talented
individuals have innovated their own village art, which have very
distinctive and special village culture in them. The art of every
village is distinctive and this shows in the various paintings by these
people. Be it the Madhubani Paintings, Phad Paintings or the Patachitra
Paintings, all display the culture and tradition of their respective villages!
MADHUBANI PAINTINGS: These paintings are an indigenous art form of a
picturesque
village of Bihar. The women have practised this art form since many
centuries and they maintain their dominance on this craft. However, it
was only in the 1960`s that this art form came in the forefront, when a
drought hit the area and people had to think of an alternative
non-agricultural source of earning. Selling these traditional paintings
on handmade paper was the best alternative. And today they are one of
the most celebrated Folk Arts of the world.
The
figures are painted on household and village walls to mark the seasonal
festivals, for special events of the life-cycle and when marriages are
being arranged they prepare intricately designed wedding proposals and
the technique of painting is safely and zealously guarded by the women
of this village, for it is to be passed on by a mother to her daughter.
However, most of the Madhubani Paintings mostly feature nature related
themes.
Mythological figures also find great prominence in these paintings. Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Siva, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are the most common subjects of Madhubani Painters. Apart from deities the women also paint celestial subjects like the Sun and Moon. The holy Tulsi plant is also regularly featured in these paintings. Intricate floral, animal and bird motifs, and symmetrical geometric designs fill up the gaps. Since this intricate skill is handed down the generations, traditional designs and patterns are widely maintained.
PATACHITRA PAINTINGS: Patachitra is a vibrant folk art form native to Orissa, a state
in
eastern India. This famous ethnic painting was born out of the cult of
Jagannath Dev - the presiding deity of Orissa. Incredible pictorial
conceptions, characteristic conventions and vibrant colors make the
Patachitra a unique treasure in the rich coffer of Indian traditional
art. Executed primarily on cloth, using natural colors, these
handcrafted paintings have charmed admirers from all over the world.
MADHUBANI PAINTINGS: These paintings are an indigenous art form of a
picturesque
village of Bihar. The women have practised this art form since many
centuries and they maintain their dominance on this craft. However, it
was only in the 1960`s that this art form came in the forefront, when a
drought hit the area and people had to think of an alternative
non-agricultural source of earning. Selling these traditional paintings
on handmade paper was the best alternative. And today they are one of
the most celebrated Folk Arts of the world. The
figures are painted on household and village walls to mark the seasonal
festivals, for special events of the life-cycle and when marriages are
being arranged they prepare intricately designed wedding proposals and
the technique of painting is safely and zealously guarded by the women
of this village, for it is to be passed on by a mother to her daughter.
However, most of the Madhubani Paintings mostly feature nature related
themes. Mythological figures also find great prominence in these paintings. Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Siva, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are the most common subjects of Madhubani Painters. Apart from deities the women also paint celestial subjects like the Sun and Moon. The holy Tulsi plant is also regularly featured in these paintings. Intricate floral, animal and bird motifs, and symmetrical geometric designs fill up the gaps. Since this intricate skill is handed down the generations, traditional designs and patterns are widely maintained.
PATACHITRA PAINTINGS: Patachitra is a vibrant folk art form native to Orissa, a state
in
eastern India. This famous ethnic painting was born out of the cult of
Jagannath Dev - the presiding deity of Orissa. Incredible pictorial
conceptions, characteristic conventions and vibrant colors make the
Patachitra a unique treasure in the rich coffer of Indian traditional
art. Executed primarily on cloth, using natural colors, these
handcrafted paintings have charmed admirers from all over the world.
INDIAN VILLAGE LIFE
Indian Village life is a mixture of tranquility, serenity, quietude and
innocence. Along with numerous small and big grass fields, several
rivers, chirping of birds, swinging of emerald trees, speaking in a low
voice the tale of languishment and love to the big and clear blue sky
give a mesmerizing, captivating and bewitching effect to the Indian
villages. Ever since the country`s independence from the British
colonial rule in 1947, the economy of the nation has banked upon its
agrarian society. A majority of the persons living in India have
involved themselves in agriculture and associated industries, and have
thus made the country the quickest developing world economy. The country
is hope to people of different castes and creeds which rightly
demonstrates the principles of `Unity in Diversity`. Indian village life
is fully relied on agriculture and innate all over the land. The
lifestyle maintained by the people of Indian villages as well as their
working styles are as fascinating as the balance offered by the
metropolitan city lifestyles.
The primary occupation of the people living in the India villages is agriculture and is therefore reckoned as an unchangeable part of the Indian village culture. Traditionally, village and caste are regarded as similar to each other and the villages in India also follow the same trend. In Indian village life the presence of all the four castes with the hierarchy of the Brahmin is noticed. The caste system which originated long back has however remained unchanged in the village life in India. Although, caste system in its original sense has collapsed yet caste identities are very much present there in the village life in India. People belonging to different castes in a village deal with each other in kinship terms, which shows the fictive kinship relationships distinguished within each settlement.
Habitually the Indian villagers manifest a deep loyalty to their villages. A rural family which has its root seated deeply in a specific village does not move easily to another. The uniqueness of the village life in India lies in this deep loyalty which is again marked with a rich culture. The mystic charm and the cultural diversities of the village life in India, make the Indian villages that never never land where beauty never fades away, and dream never cease to exist.
The village life in India is idyllic, unchanging with its immense beauty. The villagers of India are normally habituated in sharing and using the common facilities of the village including the village shrines and temples, the village pond, schools, grazing grounds, sitting places, etc. This interdependence of the village life in India perhaps provides a matchless unity amongst the villagers which supports them in surviving amidst thousands of odds. Village unity is therefore the primary concern of the village life in India.
Characteristically, each of the Indian villages recognizes a particular deity as the protector of the concerned village and the people of that village get together to worship the deity. Religion, which is deeply instilled in the village life in India, further supports the villagers to consider this as an essential part of village prosperity. The uninterrupted village life in India entertain themselves amidst the color of the festivals like Diwali, Holi, muharram, Dussehra, etc, in the captivating pulse of dance and songs and of course in the emotion of rural theatres.
In the Indian village life, there is a headman who is recognized often to respectfully listen to the village panchayat`s decision. The village panchayat comprises of some important men from the major castes of the village. The panchayat in Indian villages are responsible to clarify the disputes within the village boundaries as much as possible, with occasional choices of the interference of police or the court system. In the recent era, the Government supports an elective Panchayat system in the Indian villages.
The Government of India helped the villages with advanced technology for farming implements and presently most of the villages in India have access to modern farming equipments. Now-a-days, the Indian village outskirts boast up with food packaging plants, textile industries, sugar industries and steel plants. These have created for the village youth suitable employment opportunities. Continuous reform is made by the government in order to fashion the country a `motor` for the economy of the world. Developments in the agrarian infrastructure, public sector reforms, rural development, righted labor norms, etc have changed the Indian village life. The village life in India blessed with its innocence, purity and uncomplicated saga makes the villages as the quaint, archaic, mystic yet charming places to rediscover nature.
The primary occupation of the people living in the India villages is agriculture and is therefore reckoned as an unchangeable part of the Indian village culture. Traditionally, village and caste are regarded as similar to each other and the villages in India also follow the same trend. In Indian village life the presence of all the four castes with the hierarchy of the Brahmin is noticed. The caste system which originated long back has however remained unchanged in the village life in India. Although, caste system in its original sense has collapsed yet caste identities are very much present there in the village life in India. People belonging to different castes in a village deal with each other in kinship terms, which shows the fictive kinship relationships distinguished within each settlement.
Habitually the Indian villagers manifest a deep loyalty to their villages. A rural family which has its root seated deeply in a specific village does not move easily to another. The uniqueness of the village life in India lies in this deep loyalty which is again marked with a rich culture. The mystic charm and the cultural diversities of the village life in India, make the Indian villages that never never land where beauty never fades away, and dream never cease to exist.
The village life in India is idyllic, unchanging with its immense beauty. The villagers of India are normally habituated in sharing and using the common facilities of the village including the village shrines and temples, the village pond, schools, grazing grounds, sitting places, etc. This interdependence of the village life in India perhaps provides a matchless unity amongst the villagers which supports them in surviving amidst thousands of odds. Village unity is therefore the primary concern of the village life in India.
Characteristically, each of the Indian villages recognizes a particular deity as the protector of the concerned village and the people of that village get together to worship the deity. Religion, which is deeply instilled in the village life in India, further supports the villagers to consider this as an essential part of village prosperity. The uninterrupted village life in India entertain themselves amidst the color of the festivals like Diwali, Holi, muharram, Dussehra, etc, in the captivating pulse of dance and songs and of course in the emotion of rural theatres.
In the Indian village life, there is a headman who is recognized often to respectfully listen to the village panchayat`s decision. The village panchayat comprises of some important men from the major castes of the village. The panchayat in Indian villages are responsible to clarify the disputes within the village boundaries as much as possible, with occasional choices of the interference of police or the court system. In the recent era, the Government supports an elective Panchayat system in the Indian villages.
The Government of India helped the villages with advanced technology for farming implements and presently most of the villages in India have access to modern farming equipments. Now-a-days, the Indian village outskirts boast up with food packaging plants, textile industries, sugar industries and steel plants. These have created for the village youth suitable employment opportunities. Continuous reform is made by the government in order to fashion the country a `motor` for the economy of the world. Developments in the agrarian infrastructure, public sector reforms, rural development, righted labor norms, etc have changed the Indian village life. The village life in India blessed with its innocence, purity and uncomplicated saga makes the villages as the quaint, archaic, mystic yet charming places to rediscover nature.
INTRODUCTION TO INDIAN VILLAGE
Indian villages constitute a greater portion of the total geographical
area of the country. It is a known fact that a major portion of the
India`s total population resides in the villages. The villages of India
can broadly be divided according to the regions of their location like
Eastern region, Northern region, Southern region, Central region,
Northeast region and Western region. One of the main differences between
the Indian villages of different regions is the used language. Being
one of the oldest civilisations in the world that has been invaded by
several foreign powers, India is home to a huge variety of languages.
The villagers in different zones of India speak in different languages
such as Bengali language, Oriya language, Assamese language, punjabi
language, Marathi language, Kannada language, Tamil language, Gujarati
language, Telugu language,Hindi language, etc. The original form of most
of the ancient languages in India can be found in these villages.
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