Culture of Madhya Pradesh is vibrant and colourful. It has been carved out by the ample contributions of tribal communities. The state has the privilege of having the highest rank in tribal population and people of the tribal community occupy around one-third part of the region. All the tribal and non-tribal communities have their own socio-cultural space. Madhya Pradesh is the home of numerous tribes, which also has resulted in amalgamating their own tradition. Three distinct tribes namely Gond tribe, Bhil tribe and Oraon tribe influence the culture of Madhya Pradesh. These tribal groups have their distinctive languages, art forms and festivities. Festivals like Bhagoriya, Madai, etc. are celebrated by the tribal groups. Dances like Sela, Kaksar, Gaur and Karma, etc are some of the dance forms enjoyed by the tribes.
Art and Crafts of Madhya Pradesh
Arts and crafts of Madhya Pradesh illustrate the tribal art form merged impeccably into the tradition of the people residing in Madhya Pradesh. People can find a vast diversity of arts and crafts in Madhya Pradesh. The arts and crafts give an idea; divulge hereditary skills and replicates craftsmanship of the local people. Arts and crafts incorporates bamboo work, dolls and toys, metalwork, carpet weaving, ornaments and jewellery, pottery, stone-carving, paintings, printing and woodcarving. The region of Madhya Pradesh looms large in lush textiles and rural handiworks. The people treasure handloom Chanderi sarees and Maheshwari saree. Madhya Pradesh is a hub of `erotic` artistries and beautiful architectural works. Tribal craftsmen are skilled in metal wares and aesthetic objects. Tourists from world wide step into the region and explore its artistic treasures. Nature lovers too throng the dense forests and wild life sanctuaries that have proliferated in Madhyanchal. As a consequence, in different cities of Madhya Pradesh, hotels, pubs, restaurants, thus, are constructed to meet these demands of infiltration of tourists in great numbers through out the year.
Religion and Language of Madhya Pradesh
Culture of Madhya Pradesh is a pleasant amalgamation of Hindus, Jains, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Sikhs. Moreover, the tribal communities of the state comprise diverse tribes like Oraon tribe, Kol tribe, Bhil, Gond tribe, Bhilala tribe, Muria tribe and Korkens, to name a few. These people belonging to several religions and ethnic backgrounds reflect the concept of Indian secularism and add to the animated cultural froth of the state. The eastern side of the state is dominated by the Oraons; most of them have now converted to Christianity. 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. Hindi language is the main and the official language of Madhya Pradesh. Dialects of the language, such as Bundelkhandi, Malwi and Chhattisgarhi language, are spoken all over the state. Urdu language, Marathi language, Sindhi language, and Gujarati language are also commonly spoken here thanks to the mix of people.
Music and Dance of Madhya Pradesh
Music of Madhya Pradesh is rich and vibrant encompassing the rich heritage of musicians. The culture of Madhya Pradesh, in true sense, is extensively recognised for its musical extravaganza and dancing rhythms. Folk songs, songs of Indian classical music genre are equally popular among music lovers. In Bastar, the Muria and Sing Maria tribes are well-known for the songs namely relo. The region is also fructified by dhankul songs colligated with evoking Danteshwari, a goddess, and the `chait parah`. In Jagdalpur, leha songs are famous. These are ritual song sung during the departure from near and dear ones. During festivals, the swaying tunes of songs in accompaniment with bansuri, harmonium, chastise hearts both young and old.
The ambience of frenzy is even more heightened by the sophisticated steps of the dancing troupes. The colourful Maria Gonds of Bastar region fete their important events by dancing. The most popular dance form is the outstanding wedding dancing, called the Gaur is worth a watch. Tribal dances like Phag, Lota dance and various stilt dance styles are also prevalent. Dressed up in coloured clothes, the tribal population dance and hum melodious numbers thus depicting various aspects of socio-political and cultural scenarios. In nutshell, these bonanzas create a magnificent aura to its audiences both at home and abroad.
Cuisine of Madhya Pradesh
The people of Madhya Pradesh are enticed by sumptuous dishes, making the cuisine an integral element of the culture of Madhya Pradesh. The foods are mainly hot and spicy. It is interesting to note that within the same region people prefer variations in food meals. Cuisine in Madhya Pradesh has a small touch of Rajasthani and Gujrati cuisines. Previously, Jowar was the principal cereal here. But now, Wheat is the staple food of Madhya Pradesh. Wheat and mutton are favourites for north and west and people of south and eastern provinces enjoy fish and rice. A special type of wheat cakes, namely, Bafla is soused in rich ghee and then it is consumed with daal. Some people especially those residing in Gwalior and Indore has developed the taste for milk and milk-based cookeries. Bhopalites make dainty mutton and fish dishes. Rogan josh, korma, keema, biryani pilaf and kababs such as shami and seekh are delicacies and have become the trademarks of Madhya Pradesh cuisine. To beat the heat of sultry summers, the people of Madhya Pradesh savour voluptuously juicy fruits like melons, custard apples, papayas, guavas and bananas. Lassi is the favourite drink for the Madhya Pradesh natives. Madhya Pradesh is also well-known for many sweet dishes like `mawa-bati`, `shreekhand`, `khoprapak`, and `malpua`. The cuisine of Madhya Pradesh is supposed to be the hottest and diverse of all in the Indian sub continent. The area of expertise of their cuisine here is the use of wheat and milk with assorted items. Here one will find dishes that are hard to find outside the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Fairs and Festivals of Madhya Pradesh
Festivals, too, enrich the culture of Madhya Pradesh. No one can claim to have known the region fully without identifying its festival jamboree. The region of Madhya Pradesh is the locale of fairs and festivals, which also becomes its style mantra. In other words, culture of Madhya Pradesh is incubated due to exquisite festival celebrations. Apart from celebrating all other Indian festivals like Holi, Dussehra, the tribal festivals and fairs are also observed in full vigour and merrymaking. Revelry, drinks and alien amusement like cock fighting, dancing label these tribal festivals in Madhya Pradesh. `Kalidas Samaroh`, `Tansen Samaroh` and a dance fete in Khajuraho are celebrated, in great fiesta, with vast number of avid participants. Religious festivals too are observed with veneration. In West Nimar and Jabua regions of Mandhyanchal, a colourful festival called Bhagoria Haat is feted by the Bhils and Bhilalas tribes. Kumbha Mela is the biggest religious congregational fair of the Hindus and has known celebration from many centuries. The celebration of Kumbha Mela sees the union of millions of devotees, monks and religious saints from all corner of India, making the festival the largest of all Hindu fairs. Besides Chaitra fair the Dhup Dehi ka Mela of Hirapur the Ramnavami fair and the Gal Yatras are feted at various places in Madhya Pradesh region.
Madhya Pradesh is filled with lush forests, magnificent monuments, exuberant festivity and blissful solitude. In this land of wonderful and contrasting variety, handicrafts lend a touch of mystique. A deftly woven silk or a cotton blended saree, block printed fabrics, stuffed leather toys or floor coverings, folk paintings, bamboo, cane or jute woodcraft, stone craft, iron craft, terra cotta, Zari work (gold thread embroidery), ornaments and other hand-crafted products of Madhya Pradesh add to its charming culture attracting the attention of the people from far and wide.
The pilgrimages such as Ujjain, Amarkantak, Maheshwar, Madleshwar, Onkareshwar Temple, and other places located in the bank of Narmada River are some of the most popular religious centres of the state. In a nutshell, Madhya Pradesh is a historically significant and a culturally rich state. Madhya Pradesh is a place highly acclaimed for its treasure of historical edifices and relics. Along with this, meandering rivers with its booties, rich flora and fauna have made the life in Madhya Pradesh easy and comfortable. This has thus initiated its people to devote ample time to undertake the task of preserving and also enriching their musical heritage, dance styles, festivals, arts and crafts-all the embodiments of culture of Madhya Pradesh attributed to Royal sagas and tribal tradition.
