People and Culture
CULTURE IS THE ART OF LIVING
‘One of the things that I love about visiting Gujarat is experiencing the different art forms. From dance and music to craft and textiles, there are some amazing things to see and do in Gujarat. If you’re planning a holiday, here are few ways to enjoy the best of Gujarati culture.
Following are some points which make Rajasthan one of the most tourist-oriented states in India.
Art and Culture of Gujarat
The vast array of handcrafted products displaying intricate Gujarati art forms are not only popular in our country, but are a well-known entity all across the globe. These products include furniture, jewelry, embroidered garments, leatherwork, metalwork, baked clay articles and mirror work. Gujarat serves as the producer of some of the most creative and elegant furnishings that include bedcovers, quilts, cushion covers and table mats. Preserving the glorious legacy of its past, the garment industry of Gujarat provides a broad range of items to the buyers, namely salwar, kurtas, cholis, ghaghras, odhnis, skirts, and jackets. Intricate dainty patterns are woven on the patola sarees with high precision. The traditional art forms of the state play a significant role in preserving its rich heritage. Some other aspects of art include music, dance, and literature
Customs and Traditions of Gujarat
Due to many religions coexisting in the state, Gujaratis believe in various Gods and Goddesses. Embracing different religious faiths, Gujaratis demonstrate a vibrant mix of Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, and Buddhism. This amalgamation of cultures is quite evident in their beliefs, customs, traditions, institutions, and practices. The natives display a balanced lifestyle due to the perfect system of learning, blend of religious practices and development of artistic traits. The cow is considered the mother God and hence worshipped devotedly by them. The majorly celebrated ceremonies of Gujaratis include birth, thread ceremony, marriage and death. All the rituals are performed by the highly ranked Brahmans.
Languages and Religions
Although Gujarati is the mother tongue of the natives of Gujarat, many other languages are widely spoken throughout the state. Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language derived from Sanskrit and is the 26th most widely used language in the world. Gujarati has about 11 different dialects, spoken in various parts of the state. Since the state of Gujarat shares its border with Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan; a small section of its population speaks the native languages of the neighboring states, namely Marwari, Marathi, Hindi along with Urdu and Sindhi. The natives of Kutch-a semi-arid region in Gujarat-speaks Kachchi language, which is quite an important language of the area.
Fairs and Festivals
The fairs and festivals of Gujarat showcase the real vibrancy and colors of its diverse culture. Thousands of people flock to Gujarat to witness the extravaganza during festivals like Navratri Mahotsav, Deepawali, Rathyatra and Kite festival. There are some fairs as well that are organized in the state every year, namely- Shamlaji Melo, Bhadra Purnima Fair, and Mahadev Fair. These occasions lure visitors from all across the globe and increase the tourist footfall. The Rann Utsav is a major festival and witnesses an exquisite carnival of music, dance and natural beauty.
Food
A traditional and authentic Gujarati meal consists of dal, roti, rice, vegetables, salad, chaas, farsan followed by a sweet dish. Gujarati cuisine is quiet similar to that of Maharashtra, and most of the Gujaratis are vegetarian. Some of the famous Gujarati delicacies include dhokla, fafda, khandvi, dhal dhokli, undhiyu, handvo, ganthia, dal wada, khakhra, and thepla. In Gujarati dishes, the flavors are a blend of sweet, spicy and sour tastes. Each region of the state has a distinctive flavor associated with its local food. A typical Gujarati dinner includes bhakri-shak or khichdi-kadhi. The Gujaratis are noted for their sweet tongue, and hence every meal is followed by a sweet dish or sometimes even jaggery.
Cultural Dress
Patola Silk or popularly known as ‘Queen of all silks’ forms a major part of traditional Gujarati attire. Gujarati brides are adorned with silk and zari woven sarees of Gharchola and Panetar. The traditional attires often incorporate tie-dye or traditional block prints. The region of Kutch has a distinctive traditional outfit adorned by women known as Abhas. Chania Cholis are a popular choice of outfit during the festive season of Navratri Mahotsav. Men also wear unique attire known as kediya dress during the navratri season. Also, a prevalent Gujarati trend is the silver Pachchikam jewelry that originated in Kutch.
