The villagers of Rajasthan have adopted the traditional culture. They celebrate different festivals and organize many fairs in the state.
Lifestyle
Rajasthan- the land of royalty is a glittering jewel set in the golden sands of a barren deserts landscape. The light that reflects off the golden sands engulfs a land renowned for its vibrant colors, people in bright clothes and beautiful jewellery, living in cities dotted and dominated by towering forts and palace that rise from the sands like mirage.3
The brightness of its life, the legends of its heroism and romance are all captured in the vibrant and evocative music of this desert land. The richness and diversity of Rajasthani music comes from its old and undisturbed tradition. Music that is rich evocative heroic plaintive and joyful governs all aspects of Rajasthani lives. The voices both male and female are strong and powerful. The numerous songs sung by the women reflect the various feminine moods and strong family ties that govern their lives. Splendid monsoon of Rajasthan call for special songs without which no celebration is complete.
Men and women of Rajasthan sing devotional as well as festive songs. Songs by the saint-poets like Kabir, Meera and Malookdas are part of the folk repertoire. They are sung all night during the raatjagas (all night soirees spent singing devotional songs) which are held as thanks giving to a particular deity. The resonant singing of the Rajasthani folk is accompanied by music from simple instruments like the Baara and Algoza, that usally give a beat or a drone to offset the poetry.
Major Fairs & Festivals of Rajasthan
| Fair and Festivals in Rajasthan | |
| Fair & Festivals | Main Features |
| Kolyat fair | This fair organized at Bikaner for 10 days, Devotees take dip in Lake and pray to god in temples |
| Chandrabhaga Fair | Fair is organized at the bank of chandrabhaga river for three days in the month of November or December at the time of kartik purnima |
| Pushkar Fair | This fair is organized in the month of November at Pushkar, Ajmer in Brahma temple, Devotees dropped flower (lotus) in to the lakes through their hand and three spots tuched by the flower of the lakes. Three spots are Jyeshtha Pushkar, Madhyam Pushkar and Kanishtha Pushkar. |
| Camel Festival | Department of Tourism of the Rajasthan Government is organized the Camel festival in the month of January every year in Bikaner. |
| Nagaur Fair | Nagaur fair is held in the month of January-February every-year in Nagaur, this fair is trading fair of cattle and camels. |
| Mewar Festival | Mewar festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring and coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur. This is 18 days festival. It is important for the women of the Rajasthan as it is time for them to dress in their best. |
| Kaila Devi fair | Kaila Devi fair is held in March or April in Kaila village at Karauli district and it holds an important place among the celebrated fairs of Rajasthan. The fortnight-long fair is organized on the banks of the river Kalisil in the hills of Trikut about 2 kilometres from Kaila village. |
| Mahaveerji Fair | The fair is organized at Mahavir Ji in months of between March and April to commemorate Shri Mahavir Swami. |
| Summer Festival | Summer festival is organized at Mount Abu in June every year for three days and is a celebration of folk and classical music and feast to the tribal life and culture of Rajasthan state. |
| Teej festival | This festival is organized during the monsoons in July and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. On the occasion of this festival the married women who pray to god for a happy and long married life |
| Gogaji Fair | This fair is organized at Gogamedi in Ganganagar district in the month of August in memory of a popular hero of the area and the hero is known as Goga among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the Muslims |
| Ramdevra Fair | This fair is held in Ramdevra village at Jaisalmer in the month of August or Septembet. Village has its name after Baba Ramdev that is Tanwar Rajput, who took samadhi in year 1458. A large fair is held which many (lakhs) devotees attend; they come in large groups from various places. |
| Marwar Festival | This is two days fair and its show the art and culture of jodhpur. This fair is organized in the month of October at jodhpur. |
| Dusshera | Dusshera is celebrated in all over the country in different ways and the celebration purpose is the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. |
Dance
The people of Rajasthan after hard work in the harsh desert sun and the rocky terrain whenever they take time off they let themselves go in gay abandon. There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other community festivities, which transform the hardworking Rajasthani into a fun-loving and carefree individual. Each region has its own folk entertainment, the dance styles differ, as do the songs. Interestingly enough, even the musical instruments are different. Some of the better-known forms of entertainment are:
Ghoomar Dance: This is a community dance for women and performed on auspicious occasions. Derived from the word ghoomna, piroutte, this is a very simple dance where the women move gently, gracefully in circles.
Gait Ghoomar: This is one of the many dance-forms of the Bhil tribals. Performed during Holi festival, this is among a few performances where both men and women dance together.
Gait: Another Holi dance but performed only by men. This becomes Dandia Gair in Jodhpur and Geendad in Shekhawati.
Chari Dance: This is popular in the Kishengarh region and involves dancing with a chari, or pot, on one’s head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot.
Kachhi Ghodi: This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate costumes ride the equally well decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords, these dancers move rhythmically to the beating of drums and fifes. A singer narrates the exploits of the Bavaria bandits of Shekhawati.
Fire Dance: The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground is prepared with live wood and charcoal where the Jasnathi men and boys jump on to the fire to the accompaniment of drum beats.
Teerah Taali: The Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana perform this dance in honour of theft deity, Baba Ramdeo. Rather unusual performances where the men play a four-stringed instrument called a chau-tara and the women sit with dozens of manjeeras, or cymbals, tied on all over their bodies and strike them with the ones they hold in their hands. Sometimes, the women also hold a sword between their teeth or place pots with lighted lamps on their heads.
Kathputli: skilled puppeteers perform Puppet plays based on popular legends. A woman, usually his wife, who plays the dholak, or drum and sings the ballad, accompanies displaying his skill in making the puppets’ act and dance, the puppeteer.
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