The basis of the culture of any country is based on the geographical basis of that country as well as Literature, Art, Music, Religion, Philosophy, Art and Political ideas. The folk life of Bundelkhand is also based on this. The biggest feature of the Folk life of Bundelkhand is social harmony.
Folk life of Bundelkhand and social harmony
The basis of art, culture and literature
The basis of the culture of any country is based on the geographical basis of that country as well as literature, art, music, religion, philosophy, art and political ideas. The culture of India is made up of a mixture of many elements. Many ancient cultures of the world have been destroyed, but Indian culture is still intact, still alive and its shine is still flowing.
The lifestyle of Indian society is similar but the glimpse of regionalism and folkness in it gives it uniqueness. The cultural aspect of folk life includes folk music, folk songs, folk dances, folk instruments, folk tales, folk songs, riddles, proverbs, customs, festivals, fasts and worship, rituals, folk deities, village deities, games, fairs, markets, etc. The art aspect includes land, wall paintings, sculpture, woodcraft, costumes, jewelry, tattooing, etc.
Bundelkhand’s social harmony
The folklore of Bundelkhand, flowing since the Vedic period, maintained harmony among all sections of society through its folk power. The social system based on the Varna system is coordinating, promotes mutual affection and respect. From birth to death, on every such occasion, mutual love, harmony and helping each other by every section of the society is an integral part of life.
Just as a barber has a special place, from birth to marriage and the last stage of life, the barber makes his active presence felt. People of the society affectionately call him Khabas Ju. Similarly, Khabas Ju’s wife Khabasan has a special place in our social rituals. Suhaag is sought from the washerwoman. The potter makes earthen pots which are considered 100% pure and sacred. Carpenters, gardeners, Dhimar all have creative contributions.
In social uniformity, all classes are dependent on each other. From the bulluwa of chhei for cutting wood for marriage to the bulluwa for funeral, it is used. Even after death, all castes/classes have their own place and contribution in performing pheras. The feeling of social and economic cooperation is important.
Faith in Village Deities
Hardaul and Karasdev are such personalities who despite being human are worshipped like deities. Their platform becomes their symbol and that becomes the centre of their faith. In the special festival of Bundelkhand, Kajali fair, meeting with love in an embrace, giving Kajali and touching the feet of elders is folk religion. Burning of social evil in the form of Ravan in Dussehra and everyone embracing each other after feeding paan to each other is a part of our culture.
Suata, Naurata, Tesu, Akti are special folk festivals. These games train boys and girls before they enter the field of life. In Bundelkhandi folk life, most of the auspicious works are done after getting Uttarayan and Muhurat out. From the point of view of science, mountains, rivers, lakes and trees are worshipped. Plants like Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Amla, Tulsi, Banana, Belpatra etc. are kept in the category of worshipable. After cooking food, it is considered a daily duty to add Tulsi to it and offer it as Prasad to Thakurji and then eat it and to water the Tulsi plant daily. Conservation and development of plants makes the environment pure and germ free.
Folk songs
The people of Bundelkhand express themselves through folk songs. No one knows the author of these songs. If the author of a song is known, it is not counted in the category of folk songs.
These songs are usually ritual songs related to the worship of gods and goddesses, songs related to seasons, Romantic songs, while working songs, caste songs, sports songs of boys and girls, Fasting songs or bravery songs. It is a beautiful way of expressing one’s feelings. Bundeli folk songs are the mirror of folk culture.
Folk dance
Folk dance is a powerful medium of full expression of joy and enthusiasm. In moments of joy, when a feeling of enthusiasm arises in the group, the feet automatically start dancing in rhythm. These dances are usually of three types – public dance, family dance and folk dance of caste or tribals. Karma and Shaila are folk dances of tribals. Under public dance, in Diwari dance, sticks and batons are held in hands, bells are tied around the waist and people sing with a melody.
Rai dance is mainly the dance of Bedini caste. On the occasion of Tesu on the full moon day of Jhinjhiya Kanwar month, dance is performed by unmarried girls to old women. Dhubiyayi, Rawla, Kachiyayi, Chamar, Gadaria, Mehtar, Kori etc. have their own different traditional social folks in which a man wears the dress of a woman and the other sings songs by becoming a jester, singing and dancing with Ramtula, Kekdi (like Sarangi), Dholak, Nagdia, Manjira, Khadtal etc.
Dhimaraahi, Dhimar caste presents dance on the occasion of marriage by men and women. Changel or Kalash dance in family dance. It is performed with the congratulations brought by the aunt at the time of birth of the child. Laakaur or Raas Badhawa dance After the completion of the ritual of Bhawar in marriage, when the women of the bride’s side go to the tents, the tika pujan of the daughter-in-law is done by the relatives of the groom’s side. Girls and women dance while singing Banni. Similarly, the dance of Bahu Utaraai is performed at the residence of the groom’s side after marriage. Sagun Chiraiya songs are sung and mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt etc. dance in joy.
Folk tales
They were narrated by grandmothers or grandmothers. Mostly they were in verse. Proverbs are related to behavior and ethics. Boys and girls solve puzzles among themselves. Idioms are used in writing or oral conversation. Folk deities, village deities and customs are born and developed on the basis of social acceptance.
Folk arts provide culture and prosperity to our social life. In underground decorations, Ganesh ji, Swastika, Yakrakar Satiya (Swastika), Kalash, Kamal, Shankh, Deepak, Surya Chandra etc. are made from cow dung or rice paste and ochre. Barley grains are pasted on them. From the point of view of sculpture, Mahalakshmi and Hasti (elephant), Ganesh, Lakshmi on Gangaur, Suata, Diwali and Shiva idols of black clay are made in Malmas. Putriya is made on the occasion of Akti.
Costumes
In Bundeli costume, women used to wear Ghaghra. Labour women wear dhoti with Kanch. Men wear Safa, Bandi, Mirzai, Kurta, Dhoti, women wear Panjana on feet and Sutiya around the neck, these are usually made of silver or gilt. Children wear Chuda, Paijani, Karghani, Kada, Kathula. Women of tribal and rural areas get tattoos done to enhance their beauty. These include animals, birds, flowers, their own name, name of Ishtadeva, etc.
In food, Bara, Bachyavar, Fara, Hingora, Dhubri, Maheri, Sutpuri, etc. were prominent. In folk customs, belief in Sagun-Asgun, Totka, exorcism is more prevalent. In folk stage, Ramleela, Raas Leela, Swang, Nautanki are organized from time to time. In folk sports, girls’ games Chapeta or Gutta are popular. In field games, children generally play Gulli Danda, Chhua Chhuaual, Odbod, Kancha (Goli), Kabaddi, Kho-Kho etc. Bundelkhand has been very fortunate in literary, social, political, cultural, artistic, natural, religious and geographical terms.
Reference-
बुंदेलखंड दर्शन- मोतीलाल त्रिपाठी ‘अशांत’
बुंदेली लोक काव्य – डॉ. बलभद्र तिवारी
बुंदेलखंड की संस्कृति और साहित्य- रामचरण हरण ‘मित्र’
बुंदेली लोक साहित्य परंपरा और इतिहास- नर्मदा प्रसाद गुप्त
बुंदेली संस्कृति और साहित्य- नर्मदा प्रसाद गुप्त
