mewar: study

Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communications

Arunima Dey-020

Neerja Jaiswal-045

Shashwata Datta-078

Module: Culture and communication

Assignment: 1

Culture study: Mewar

Pune 10th July, 2010


Background of each team member

Arunima Dey, is born and brought up in Kolkata in a Bengali family. Both paternal and maternal ancestors are from Bangladesh. Brought up with a rich Bengali cultural background with Rabindrasangeet being a staple diet for the musical ear, and roshogolla for the sweet tooth. Rice and fish is a must for daily meals. While growing up, music, art, crafts, theatre, literature was an integral part of the day. Bengalis have a very strong and unique culture and they carry it whereever they go.

Neerja Jaiswal, born and brought up in Kolkata. Raised in a hybrid family of UP and Bengal, mother being the Bengali, got the best of both the cultures and the worst of either idiosyncracies. More fluent on the Bengali aspects than the more intense Awadhi heritage. Been used to the more UP conservatism and simplicity added to the Bengali need more intellectual nirvana(so to say), communism and cultural variety. With a huge appetite for execellent food from both sides and an equal introduction to good music done by the dual background.

Shashwata Datta, was born of Bengali parents in the state of Bihar and has traveled and lived in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi as he grew up. Most of his life has stayed out of West Bengal and thus out of reach of a Bengali environment. Has grown up with an outsider’s perspective of the Bengali community, more specifically a north Indian’s perspective. Never really identified with any community or social group, thus always has perceived the world from an outsider’s perspective. Has no religious leaning.



Introduction of the selected culture

Mewar

Geography

Mewar is the erstwhile leading kingdom of Rajputana (Land of the Rajputs) and one of twenty-two States; the others included Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Alwar, Marwar, Sirohi, Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Kota, and Dholpur. Although roughly the size of modern Switzerland (it covered an area of 12,923 sq. mi.), the extent of the State varied from time to time. Up to the reign of Maharana Sangram Singh I (1509-1527) its boundaries touched Bhilsa and Chanderi in the east; Revakanta and Mahikanta (in Gujarat) in the south; Palapur in the west; and Ranthambhor and Gwalior in the northeast. Today it covers the regions of the present day districts of Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand and Udaipur.

Foremost feature of the country was its isolation, which made its people self-reliant, defensively warlike and straightforward. Set amongst the Aravalli ranges, it was a geographically secluded territory, the rugged terrain a distinctive physical feature that helped to shape the State''s history.



History

The history of Mewar over the past 1200 years is essentially the history of the dynasty and the state founded by Bappa Rawal.

The Guhilots

Bappa Rawal, a legendary figure in Rajput history, spent his childhood as the servant of a Brahmin family. His warlike temperament commended him to the attention of Maan Mori, a local chieftain who belonged to the Parmara clan of Rajputs; Maan Mori is in some accounts said to have been Bappa Rawal's own maternal uncle. Bappa Rawal led the combined Hindu forces against invaders from west, mostly early Muslim invasions on India and successfully

defeated them as the chief of Maan Mori's army. Be that what it may, Bappa Rawal soon usurped the territory of his patron / uncle and established himself as ruler of Mewar, an event usually dated to 734AD.

All subsequent rulers of Mewar trace their lineage to Bappa Rawal. The senior lineage of rulers descended from him were known as Guhilots (also Guhelots or Guhilas), a patronymic derived from the name of their purported distant forbear, the aforementioned Guha.

The Sísodias

Rana Hamir: The victorious Khilji sultans assigned the newly conquered territory of Mewar to the administration of Maldeo, ruler of the nearby state of Jalore, who had allied with them during the recent war. In a bid to reconcile and co-opt the natives of the land to his rule, Maldeo arranged for the marriage of his widowed daughter Songari with Hamir, the scion of an impoverished cadet branch of the erstwhile ruling dynasty. Rana Hamir Singh re-established the state of Mewar in 1326 by engineering a coup d'état against his father-in-law. The dynasty thus founded by Hamir, who was descended in direct patrilineage from Bappa Rawal, came to be known as Sisodia after Sisoda, the mountain village whence Hamir hailed.

Rana Pratap (1540–1597) was Mewar's most illustrious ruler, son of Rana Udai and his Songarri Chauhan Rani. Rana Pratap led the Rajputs against the Mughal army to preserve the independence of Mewar. He had to face not only Akbar's army but also had to fight against other Rajput kings like Raja Todar Mal Shekhawat and Raja Man Singh of Amber who aligned with the Mughals. In the Battle of Haldighati (1576), Maharana Pratap was



badly hurt and was saved by his famous horse Chetak, who took him in an unconscious state away from the battle scene.

Study of the culture through its manifestations

Social/collective set practices

Festivals

Mewaris are very social people and they have a lot of festivals where families and friends come together as a whole. Diwali, Hariyali Amavas mela, Makar Sakranti i.e 14th Jan, rakhi, Id, holi. Are celebrated with fervour and joy.

The Mewar Festival is celebrated to mark the advent of spring season. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur. It has a unique charm about it. The festival has special significance for women, as they are the main participants in this procession. The women folk gather to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial

procession through different parts of the city. Dancing, singing, music concerts, firework displays etc. are the parts of the procession. The procession winds its way to the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola. Here, the images are transferred to special boats amidst much singing and festivity. Once the religious part of the festival is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is portrayed through songs, dances and other



programmes. The three-day festival ends with a beautiful display of fireworks. The Mewar Festival is an annual event celebrated in the month of March or April in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Sports

India is a cricket crazy country and they are no different. Playing cards, badminton is part of their culture. Sitoliya and Changa Bitti are local games that children play.

Personality

Rajasthanis and mewaris are simple by nature and pure at heart. They are down to earth. Most of them are baniyas and businessman but are not shrewd at all. They are by far honest, friendly and nature loving. Mewaris are very good hosts and make their guests eat till their full capacity. Mewaris believe that people bond best over food.

Materialistic manifestation

Food habits

From a culinary perspective, the Mewar region is distinctly different from other parts of the state in two respects: one, because it’s a lake region, people consume a lot of fish, mostly of the freshwater variety; and two, they consume corn (makkai) rather than millet (bajra). The Mewari culture is very much influenced by the Rajasthani culture. They love their food spicy. Mewaris love aachar and namkeen and can eat them with anything.

Rajasthan’s famed dal-baati-churma, is actually rustic tribal food. Baati, were perfect for nomadic desert tribes and marauding armies alike. Both would carry wheat flour on their journeys, kneading and shaping little balls as needed, and burying them into heated pits to bake. When done, these were softened



with ghee, sweetened with churma (crumbled, unleavened flatbread of wheatflour, ghee, and jaggery) and eaten with dal.

Gatte ka Sabzi isn’t a “vegetable” dish at all. Gatte are boiled gram flour dumplings; these are served in a seasoned yogurt-based gravy.

Laal Maas is a traditional Rajasthani dish. It gets its color from the chillies used to cook it. Laal Maas is best served with Bajra Roti.

Ker Sangri originated as a subsistence dish during times of famine, prepared from wild berries and long beans that grow in the arid Thar desert of Rajasthan. This simple piquant and tangy vegetable preparation does not really reflect the richness of its colorful school of cooking. Ker sangri continues to be prepared in this simple manner and is a "must have" recipe on wedding menus even today.

Malai Ghevar is a spongy wedge made of refined flour and clarified butter, moistened with a splash of condensed milk and covered with the obligatory silver wrap.

Dress/fashion

The dressing style is hugely influenced by the rest of Rajasthan. A person’s socio-economic status can be guessed on the basis of the clothes s/he is wearing. The dressing sense has of course been hit by the tides of time and westernization of the urban class. Although the surviving elders as well as the rural population still subscribe to the traditional way of dressing.Traditional wear for men is generally ‘kurta’, long ‘angrakhaa’, ‘dhoti’ and a ‘pagdi’. Pure Rajputana ‘pagdi’ are 37 ft. long and 6 in. wide.Among women there is a range of traditional wear to choose from, which include ‘ghagra’, ‘saari’, ‘dupatta’, ‘odhni’, ‘chadar’, ‘choli’, ‘angiya’, ‘lehenga’, ‘jhhugli’ and ‘kanchli’.

Architecture

Their architecture is unique and can be art pieces on their own rights. Dholpur is used a lot in the making of their building and it has pinkish creamish tinge to it making them look



aesthetically very appealing. Marbles are used a lot in the making of their housing, especially in their flooring. To some extent sandstone is also used quite popularly. Wood furniture is used extensively in their daily lives. They are very particular about the kind of cutlery they use and they are usually made of crystal and silver. They like their house big and airy. Rajasthan is full of forts and palaces, which are known worldwide for their excellent plan and architecture.

Rana Kumbha , a ruler of Mewar, between AD 1433 and 1468, belonging to the Sisodia clan. Kumbha is credited with having worked assiduously to build up the state again. Of 84 fortresses that form the defense of Mewar, 32 were erected by Kumbha. Inferior only to Chittor, the chief citadel of Mewar, is the fort of Kumbhalgarh, built by Kumbha. It is the highest fort in Rajasthan (MRL 1075m).The building of Kumbalgarh was a great change done in the ancient rules of Vastu Shashtra. In addition to the Vijay Stambha of Chittor, the Ranakpur Trailokya-dipaka Jain temple with its adornments, the Kumbhasvami and Adivarsha temples of Chittor and the Shantinatha Jain temple are some (of many) structures built during Rana Kumbha's rule.

Crafts

Mewaris are talented with their embroidery work. They can create magic with a simple needle and colourful thread. Bandhani work, silver work is very popular, and silver jewelery of Udaipur is famous all over. Junk jewelry is used quite extensively and has now become quite a fashion statement for many.

Pots and pottery

They love decorating their houses with beautiful and colourful things like ceramic pots and they have excellent skills when it comes to making various things with clay.



Symbolic space

Music

Music and dance are deeply ingrained in the life of the people of Rajasthan. All the regions of Rajasthan have their distinct style of classical entertainment and the anecdotes of the chivalrous Rajputs are narrated through the medium of music. It is impossible to ascertain the exact time when music in Mewar came into existence.

The Ahar civilisation of Mewar has been accepted as contemporary to the oldest Indus Valley civilisation. In the excavation of Ahar civilisation in Mewar, a ceramic icon of a female dancer and a sketch inscribed in the form of a damroo (a small drum like musical instrument) of 1800 BC have been found. These indicate a very ancient tradition of music in Mewar.

To them, music is the best and most effective means of self-expression. At the same time it is a living mirror of civilisation and culture. It is not only a means of entertainment, but also an important part of life. The royal family of Mewar served the cause of Manav Dharma and put a major share of their efforts into the protection and development which resulted in Mewar's rich legacy and tradition of indian classical music.

In 1999, a company (Mewar Memorable Millennium Melodious Music Pvt. Ltd.) was formed initially to process and market compact discs of performances by professional classical singers and musicians, recorded at a private live performance organised by Bhagwat Singh in Udaipur in the 1950s. When the box of reel-to-reel tapes was discovered, the new head of the Mewar family, Shriji Arvind Singh (himself an accomplished Sitar player in his younger days) decided to save this rare heritage collection for posterity.



Dance

Kalbeliya dance, teen taal, bhavai are rajasthani style of dancing which are also the prevelant styles in Mewar region.

Paintings

One of the most important schools of Indian miniature painting of the 17th and 18th centuries. It is a school in the Rājasthanī style and was developed in the Hindu principality of Mewār. The works of the school are characterized by simple bright colour and direct emotional appeal. The comparatively large number of paintings to which dates and places of origin can be ascribed make possible a more comprehensive picture of the development of painting in Mewār than in any other Rājasthanī school.

Multi-painting sets of Ramayana, Gita-Govinda, Sur Sagar, Arsh Ramayana and Rasikapriya were prepared in an unmistakably bold, colourful and well defined style. These were followed by many large court paintings showing the Maharana in outings and hunting expeditions or attending religious festivities. Portraits, sets of Ragamala paintings, divinities and scenes of folk legends were also produced in large numbers.

Nathdwara became an important religious and artistic center in the 17th century and



pictures and Pichwais or large screen paintings were produced in abundance. Other sub-schools of Mewar are Devgarh, Sawar, Sirohi, Shahpura, Pratapgarh, Banswara and Dungarpur, each showing its own regional characteristic in a subtle but recognizable manner.

Films

There is no regional film media, a few documentaries on Rajasthan here and there. Bollywood movies are popular amongst the people.

Literature and scriptures

The native language is Mewari but it has no script, so their literature is the Hindi literature. Nor do they have any scriptures specific to themselves.

Media

Media is part of their daily lives as is with others. In Print Rajasthan Patrika, Dainik Bhaskar, Times of india with a supplement from Udaipur are quite popularly used. Radio- Red FM, radio city are also very popular amongst the masses. There is only one news channel from Udaipur which is aired in Udaipur only.



Social institutions and system

Ideology

Separated from the rest of India by mountains and dense forests, Mewar developed the spirit of iron discipline and stoic resolve, which was to become its most salient feature and to arm its determined resistance.

The House of Mewar was founded upon principles of trusteeship, which are its underlying structure and strength. According to history, in the 8th century, the founder father of the House of Mewar,Bapa Rawal was appointed initiated and confirmed in his role by a Guru, Harit Rishi, who laid down cardinal rules for the governance of the state, through the concept of service. Harit Rashi's tenets were based upon respect for mankind, service to the community, and more importantly, adherence to and maintenance of the ancient Vedic culture.

Manava Dharma' is set out in the Vedas and Vedantas. The Vedas and Vedantas were composed over several centuries, dating from around 1600 BC to 2 AD, and they are an accumulation of timeless wisdom recording the realizations and experiences of select rishis or sages. The purpose of these texts is to offer the means to transform society with understanding and reverence.

They contain five universal principles:

1. The concept of the omnipresence - the all-pervasiveness of the divine that transcends the many galaxies into the infinite universe. 2. The understanding that every individual, irrespective of religion or nationality, race or ideology, embodies a spark of this divinity, and that the highest goal of life is to fire this spark within each one of us. 3. The beliefs that since all individuals are potentially divine, the entire human race then represents a single extended family. 4. Although it may appear in different forms, divine truth is essentially one. 5. The goal of human life is two-fold: to attain the spiritual release of our individual souls from bondage and cyclical rebirth, and, to assure the welfare of society and consequently, the world. Our spiritual quest must also be two-fold, harmonising both the inner and outer journey.

'Manava Dharma' is based on self-respect and respect for others. Dharma implies concepts of justice, virtue, morality, righteousness, law and duty. Dharma, literally 'the way' means good ethical practices, and it is up to each individual to fulfill their destiny to the best of their ability and situation in life. The correct working out of one's dharma, above all other obligations, is the primary dogma of great teaching texts such as the Bhagvad Gita.



Language

Mewari is one of the major dialects of Rajasthani language of Indo-Aryan languages family. It is spoken by about 5.2 million (as of the year2006) speakers in Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Udaipur, and Chittorgarh districts of Rajasthan state of India. There are 31 consonants, 10 vowels, and 2 diphthongs in Mewari.

Whereas in the south west regions of Mewar as well as among Bhils, Vagdi is the prevelant language.

A sample of Mewari dialect of speaking is as follows,

“MU RANGILO RAJASTHAN MEIN GHANA PREM SE RAVUN HUN, UDAYPUR GHANO SUNDAR VA SHANT SAHAR HAI”

Religion

Mewar is also regarded as the land from where the deities and men jointly spread `Manav Dharma` and the varied principles of self-reliance and self-respect to the Indian populace as a whole.

Hinduism and Jainism are the predominant religions in the region. The rulers of Mewar were followers of Shaivism and regarded Eklingji as their family deity. Vaishnavism also developed side by side and gained considerable strength and prominence due to the bhakti movement.

The swetambara sect of Jainism is more prevalent here.

There are ofcourse other minor communities and religion thriving in the region peacefully side by side each other.

Heritage

Forts and palaces and scenic beauty. Udaipur is specially known for its lakes and is known as the ‘City of Lakes’ and is the 7th most beautiful city in the world. Otherwise, Rajasthan is full of forts as kings used to rule our state. There are deserts, beautiful



temples. City Palace of Udaipur, Sonar Kila, Ummaid palaces are some renowned palaces in Rajasthan. Lake Palace in Udaipur is amongst 2nd top most Hotels in Asia and is located amidst a lake.

Economic

The economy of this region of south-central Rajasthan state in the western part of India depends chiefly on the tourism industry, mining industry, marble and other stone industry, cement, tyre, handicraft industry, agrarian industry and fisheries.

Mewaris are mainly are businessman. They deal their businesses in Marble, soapstone, granite, sandstone. The concept of family shops and family business is also very much

prevalent here.

Education

A lot of initiative has been taken up by the Mewari royalty in the field of education. The Mewar University is a respectable university in the region. There are also a lot of schools and other profession institutes in the region as a result of the initiative taken by the Mewari royals.

Politics

The political leaning of the region is more to the Right wing due to presence of high population of Hindus and Jains in the region.

Governance



Values and beliefs of normality and morality

Social mannerism

They are very cultural and traditional in their ways. Namaste is how to greet when one meets someone. Handshake is popular amongst men. One has to behave in a respectable manner when one is in a social gathering and always should bear a smile as that is polite.

Social norms

Mewairs are very conventional and is a closed society. Dating is not seen as a part of their culture, and early marriages are quite prevelant. Child marriages on Akshay Tritya is also very popular in Rajasthan. Arranged marriage is still prevelant.

Tradition

They are very social and small social gathering are part of their lives. Religious gatherings, small functions are common. The whole trend of going to a relatives place or friend’s house in the night to chat and gossip is very common and takes place more than often. Mewari wives take pride in showing of their heavy gold and silver jewelry. And men take pride in them too. It shows their status in the society.

Gender and sexuality

It is a male dominated culture. Females still have to cover their head before going to their elders and are expected to be soft and simple.

Family and upbringing

The whole concept of ideal, wife, ideal children, and ideal house prevails. Everything from clothes to shoes has to be perfect. Joint families are common and the idea of a nuclear family is still taking root here. Children are taken to religious ceremonies often to make them imbibe the religious values.



Conclusion

Owing to its unique geographical location and terrain, the culture of Mewar has evolved in a very unique way. One might say the founders of this culture had a very utopian vision of this kingdom and thought ahead of their times. A vision and 1200 years of evolution has gifted the people of Mewar a rich heritage. Mewar has a very vibrant and colourful culture. They are unique in their sensibilities. From their sense of fashion, sense of family bonding, their love for food, to their love for their own society and culture, mewaris are very Indian, yet they carved a prominent mark for themselves. Because of Mewar's stoical adherence to tradition, rest of India has always held the kingdom in high respect. For centuries, it was a source of inspiration, and the Rajputs of Mewar will ever be synonymous with chivalry and patriotism. Of course the Mewari society has to go a long way to go as far as position of women in society is concerned. But every culture has some flaws.



References

Websites

http://foodtravelbangalore.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/jiggs-kalra-at-jamavar-mewari-cuisine/

http://www.eternalmewar.in

http://themewar.blogspot.com

http://wikipedia.org

http://www.indianetzone.com/5/mewar.htm

http://www.udaipurplus.com/travel/udaipur_city.htm

http://www.rajasthantravelguide.com/rajasthan_fair_festivals

http://www.asianartnewspaper.com/article/princes,-palaces,-%2526amp%3B-passion%3A-mewari-painting

http://www.easytoursofindia.net/newsletter/January/toursofindia_jan2008.pdf

http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsFarEast/IndiaRajputanaMewar.htm

Books

Art and Artists of Rajasthan- R.K. VashisthaMewar through the ages- D.L. Paliwal

Contacts

Avani Jain, 09689898693, [email protected]

Chirmi Krishna, 09730682948, [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsFarEast/IndiaRajputanaMewar.htm

http://www.easytoursofindia.net/newsletter/January/toursofindia_jan2008.pdf



http://www.rajasthantravelguide.com/rajasthan_fair_festivals

http://www.udaipurplus.com/travel/udaipur_city.htm

http://www.indianetzone.com/5/mewar.htm

http://wikipedia.org/

http://themewar.blogspot.com/

http://www.eternalmewar.in/



mewar: study

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