Religion and Culture of Madhya Pradesh
¤ People
 A
large segment – almost 40 percent - of Madhya Pradesh’s
population is tribal. Its four agro-climatic zones have resulted in a
most interesting mix of peoples and lifestyles.
There are three distinct tribal groups; the largest chunk being that
of the Gonds, who once ruled most of the state and after whom
Gondwana, the central portion of the state, is named. Western Madhya
Pradesh is inhabited by the Bhils, a colourful group of warriors and
hunters.
The eastern side of the state is dominated by the Oraons, most of
whom have now converted to Christainity. Population is pretty sparse
in the tribal areas as the terrain is hilly and difficult. This poses
a big problem as far as communications, transport and medical
facilities are concerned. Despite the efforts of the government
benefits from development programs have been slow to accrue.
What is interesting, however, is that the tribals have managed to
retain their ethnic identity, customs and rituals despite
modernization – this is largely thanks to successive governments
that have been extremely sensitive in their dealings with them.
Madhya Pradesh is home to some of India’s leading luminaries
like the present prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, thespian Habib
Tanvir, noted sarod player Amjad Ali Khan, the nightingale of India
Lata Mangeshkar and the painter Maqbool Fida Hussain.
¤ Religion
Most of the people in Madhya Pradesh are Hindus. There are, however,
sizeable minorities of Muslims, Jains, Christians and Buddhists. There
is also a small Sikh population.
¤ Rituals
Committing Jauhar-- Mass Self
Immolation
Apart from the usual rituals related to birth, marriage and death,
MP saw the practice of jauhar under the rule of the Tomara dynasty.
The Rajputs were fanatical about guarding the honour of their women.
The mere thought of the women falling prey to the lust of invading
Muslims was worse than death. The sombre custom of jauhar was born out
of this fear.
It was a ritual of mass suicide performed by the women and girls of
the royal household in anticipation of capture and humiliation. When
defeat in battle became imminent, the women would immolate themselves
in a huge fire kept burning in a subterranean chamber. The remaining
men, clad in saffron robes, would then fling themselves at the enemy
in one last, desperate charge. The Jauhar Tank in Gwalior Fort
witnessed such a ritual when the fort fell to Altamish (or Iltutmish).
Language
Hindi is the main and the official - language of Madhya Pradesh.
Dialects of the language, such as Bundelkhandi, Malwi and
Chattisgarhi, are spoken all over the state. Urdu, Marathi, Sindhi,
and Gujarati are also commonly spoken here thanks to the mix of
people.
Festivals
Apart from religious festivals, Madhya Pradesh has many other
festivals that are of a secular nature. Depending on your interests
you can enjoy Indian classical dance and music, folk dance and music,
literary programs, theatre and even traditional theatre forms like
Ramleela, based on the Ramayana. In fact some of these festivals, like
the Khajuraho Dance Festival, are so famous round the world that
people come here especially to see them.
Your friendly neighbourhood tourist department will help you with
information on which festivals are being held at the time of your
visit.
Festival:- Festival of Dances
Where it’s at:- Khajuraho
What’s in it:- Indian classical dance performances by some of
the best dancers in the country and abroad.
Festival:- Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Ujjain
What’s in it:- Literary presentations along with dramas and
Indian classical programs.
Festival:- Tansen Sangeet Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Gwalior
What’s in it:- Indian classical vocal & instrumental
performances by the best in the country.
Festival:- Dhrupad Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Bhopal
What’s in it:- Vocal performances in the famous dhrupad style of
Indian classical music.
Festival:- Allauddin Khan Sangeet Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Maihar, Satna
What’s in it:- Indian classical music.
Festival:- Chakradhar Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Raigarh
What’s in it:- Indian classical dance & music.
Festival:- Ameer Khan Festival
Where it’s at:- Indore
What’s in it:- Indian classical music.
Festival:- Rashtriya Hindi Natya Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Bhopal
What’s in it:- Some of the best theatre repertories in India
perform.
Festival:- Pachmarhi Utsava
Where it’s at:- Pachmarhi
What’s in it:- Indian folk arts performances.
Festival:- Keshav Jayanti Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Orchha
What’s in it:- Literary presentation.
Festival:- Bhavbhuti Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Gwalior
What’s in it:- Sanskrit’s literary programmes.
Festival:- Malwa Utsava
Where it’s at:- Ujjain & Indore
What’s in it:- Folk arts and Indian classical music.
Festival:- Rashtriya Ramleela Mela
Where it’s at:- Different parts of the state
What’s in it:- Some of the country’s best Ramleela mandlis
(repertories that perform the Ramayana) participate.
Festival:-Lokrang Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Bhopal
What’s in it:- Indian folk arts festival.
Festival:- Pt. Kumar Gandharva Samaroh
Where it’s at:- Dewas
What’s in it:- Indian classical music performances.
Festival:- Nimar Utsava
Where it’s at:- Maheshwar
What’s in it:- Indian folk and classical performances.
|
