Rich Heritage of India

OUR HERITAGE

We are blessed with many things which have been passed down to us by our ancestors. Ancestors are people who have lived before us. We should not forget our rich culture and traditions for which we are famous around the world. They are a great asset. The history, traditions and culture which the people of India share constitute our heritage. Different forms of art like coins, pottery, music, paintings, dances, etc., are a part of our heritage.

Heritage can be broadly divided into two types:

• Natural heritage

• Cultural heritage

Natural Heritage

The different landforms, rivers, animals, birds, minerals and other natural features of our country are our natural heritage.

Cultural Heritage

Pottery, paintings, dance, music, poetry, monuments, historical buildings, rock carvings, coins, food and eating habits, language, literature, places of worship, traditions, rituals and customs form our cultural heritage.

DANCE AND MUSIC

India has a rich tradition of dance and music. Dance has always been a means of worship and entertainment. There are two main forms of dance and music in India - classical and folk.

Classical Dance and Music

Classical dance usually has a religious or spiritual content. People who practice the art of classical dancing are called classical dancers. Classical dance was started as a form of worship, as the dancers used to perform in temples. Classical dance forms need formal training and regular practice. These dances can be performed individually or in groups.

For example, Bharatnatyam of Tamil Nadu, Odissi of Odisha (Orissa) and Kathakali of Kerala are classical dance forms of India. Some famous classical dancers are Geeta Chandran and Brijmohan Mishra commonly known as Birju Maharaj.

The traditional music influenced by religious and folk music is called classical music.

Classical music is mainly of two kinds:

Hindustani music-developed in Northern part of India.

Carnatic music developed in Southern part India. Veena, sitar, sarod, flute, mridangam, tabla, etc., are some of the musical instruments that are used in classical music.

Some famous classical musicians are Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Smt MS Subbulakshmi.

Folk Dance and Music

Folk dance and music adds joy to various events like weddings, festivals, beginning of a new season and sowing and harvesting of crops. Folk dances are usually performed in groups. For example, Bhangra of Punjab, Dandia and Garba of Gujarat, Ghoomar of Rajasthan, Nati of Himachal Pradesh and Bihu of Assam are some of the Indian folk dances.

Folk music is commonly linked with folklore. It can be defined as music transmitted by word of mouth from one generation to another. This music is composed by common people during their work or leisure.

ART AND LITERATURE

Early humans painted walls of the caves in which they lived. For example, the wall paintings in the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra depict the life of Buddha. Miniature paintings became popular under the Mughal rulers. These paintings included court scenes, battle and hunting scenes, landscapes and scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Modern painting in India has developed many new styles. Jamini Roy, Nandlal Bose, Tyeb Mehta and M F Hussain are some of the famous Indian painters. In Bihar and Jharkhand, people decorate the walls of their houses with beautiful drawings called Madhubani art. Beautiful rangoli designs are made on door entrances during various festivals. Embroideries like Kashmiri stitch, Kantha a work and Chikankari are traditional forms of art which have been passed down from one generation to another.

Literature is an important part of our heritage. The books on religious themes like the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, the Bible, the Quran, etc., are known as religious literature. They are also called scriptures. The books which include stories, folk tales, dramas, poems, etc., are known as non-religious or secular literature.

ANCIENT MONUMENTS

Monuments are old buildings such as temples, palaces and forts. They are examples of historic architectural wonders. The fine carvings on the pillars, domes, walls, etc., of the monuments give us information about the life of the people in ancient times. The Sun Temple in Konark, the Dilwara Temple in Mount Abu, the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Red Fort in Delhi, the Stupas in Sanchi and Sarnath, and the Maharana Pratap Palace in Rajasthan are some of the famous monuments in India