Culture of Bankura district
Culture of Bankura district refers to the culture of Bankura district (as it existed in 2011) in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Background
As the Bankura district and adjoining areas, forming a part of ancient
Initially, there were two primary groups, the
Temples
Bankura district is a land of temples. There are more historical temples in Bishnupur than in any other place in West Bengal. There are several aspects of temple art, architecture and construction that need to be considered.[5]
Almost all temples in Bishnupur town are Vaishnavite, but many of those scattered in different areas of the district spread outside the town are Shaivite, with traces of Jainism and Buddhism. While some of the older temples were built of laterite the area has numerous brick built temples, some with exquisite terracotta carvings. Terracotta carvings are also found in some temples outside the district, as for example at Jaydev Kenduli or Antpur, but the art of terracotta carvings seems to have flourished with the rise of the Rajas of Bishnupur and virtually died out with the fading of their supremacy. Some of the earlier temples built by the Bardhaman Raj have terracotta carvings, possibly by artisans from Bankura district, but by the time Rani Rashmoni decided to construct the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, in the mid nineteenth century, the art of terracotta carvings had obviously faded out.[5]
While Bankura district has some fine examples of rekha deul temples built in what is popularly known as the
Four distinct types of temples may be distinguished in Bishnupur. The first has a single square on a curved roof and is represented by Malleswar temple. The second has a single tower on a curved roof. The best examples of this are Madan Mohan temple in brick and in laterite Lalji and Radha Shyam temples. The pancharatna temple has five towers on a curved roof. The best examples are Shyam Rai temple in brick and Madan Gopal temple in laterite. The fourth type is the Jor Bangla type with two buildings shaped like a typical Bengal hut joined together with a small tower on top. It is the most interesting one from the architectural point of view. The Shyam Rai temple has the finest specimens of carved tiles.[6]
It needs to be mentioned that the powerful Rajas of Bishnupur had a non-descript single storied palace, not even comparable to the Rajbaris of many a somewhat ordinary zamindar in Bengal. Even the fort at Bishnupur seems to have been constructed for the protection of temples.[5]
Fort and Rasmancha
The fort has a high earthen wall and a moat around it. The approach is through the Pathar Darja, a large laterite gateway with arrow slits. In the western part of the fort is a building with four solid walls and no entrance except from top. It has no roof. It is believed to have been a dungeon where criminals were thrown in. There are a number of cannons, including the famous Dalmardan (commonly pronounced Dalmadal).[6]
The Rasmancha consists of a square chamber surrounded on each side by three galleries with ten, eight and five arched openings respectively, covered by a pyramidal roof. It was earlier used for putting up idols during the Ras festival.[6]
Handicrafts
Bankura district produces a number of terracotta handicrafts, the most popular being the Bankura horse. It has been praised for "its elegant stance and unique abstraction of basic values". Originally used for village rituals, it now adorns drawing rooms across the world as symbols of Indian folk-art.[7] It is the logo of All India Handicrafts.[8] The principal centres where the terracotta horses and elephants are produced are Panchmura, Rajagram, Sonamukhi and Hamirpur. Each place has its local style. The Panchmura-style of pottery is considered the best and the finest of all the four types.[9]
Another popular product is the manasachali. The potters of Sonamukhi and Panchmura turn out thousands of manasachali for worshipping Manasa or the snake goddess.[10]
Among other forms of handicrafts prevalent in Bankura are: dhokra, wood carving, conch-shell, stone carving, bamboo craft, bell metal, bel mala, dasabatar playing cards, and lanterns.[11]
Handloom textiles
One of the most expensive
Apart from Baluchari and Swarnachuri saris, which are often produced with
Fairs and festivals
The fairs of Bankura are often organised in consonance with religious festivities. Examples of such fairs and festivities are
Jhapan festival, dedicated to the snake goddess
Bishnupur Mela is being organised by the state government from 23 to 27 December from 1988, near the Madanmohana Temple. About 3-400,000 people visit the mela. Besides display and sale of handicraft items, cultural programmes including folk songs, are organized on three stages simultaneously, portraying the rich cultural heritage of this part of Rarh Bhumi.[17][18]
Bankura Book Fair is organised in December every year.[15]
See also - Bankura Book Fair 2008 pictures
See also - Bishnupur Fair 2008 pictures
Music
The
During the reign of Mughal emperor
Historical evidence points to Pt. Ramachandra Bhattacharya, a disciple of Ud. Bahadur Khan, as the founder of the Bishnupur Gharana. In the later part of the eighteenth century and towards the early and mid-nineteenth century, when music of different gharanas was gradually veering around the Khyal style Indian classical music, the Dhrupad style continued flourishing in Bishnupur. It is simple, and devoid of heavy and complicated ornamentation. It has developed its own style with regard to rhythm.[17]
A number of musicians played a role in the evolution and development of the gharana, namely Gadadhar Chakraborty, Krishna Mohan Goswami, Ram Sankar Bhattacharya and his son Ram Keshab Bhattacharya. They were some of the early exponents. Then appeared Jadu Bhatta (Jadunath Bhattacharya), who raised this music to a higher level and made it well known throughout India. Dinabandhu Goswami, Ananta Lal Bandyopadhyay. Rama Prasanna Bandyopadhyay, Radhika Prasad Goswami, Gopeshwar Bandyopadhyay, Surendranath Bandyopadhyay were the next generation musicians, all of whom were great exponents of Bishnupur Gharana. The disciples of Rama Prasanna Bandyopadhyay, Gokul Nag (sitar) and Asesh Chandra Bandyopadhyay (esraj) carried the reputation of Bishnupur Gharana to a higher standard.[17] Bankura do known for its Rock music love, Events like Rock Fest 2011-2013, Valentine Fever 1-4(2014-2017, Project Agomoni 2014-2017, Noise Reduction 2017 & many more are there. There are few promising rock bands like Rusty nails, White shadow, The Living Word, Limit State, Abhisek & Friends, Crust, Operating System, Umeed. Some well recognised musicians such Shyam ji, Dipak Kumar Tudu, Siddhartha Chatterjee and many more. Anirban Sengupta AKA Bubkka and Rishi Mukherjee plays an important role in developing the bangla rock music culture in this City by Organizing Music fest like Bankura Rock Fest & Valentine Fever.
Literature
A large number of literary little magazines are published in Bengali from Bankura district. Amongst the little magazines are: Aaddaa, Aalor Shisu, Aarja (quarterly published since 1979), Columbus (quarterly published since 1980), Kabitaa Dash Dine, Kaanchan, Kolaaj, Kheyaali (quarterly published since 1981), Graamin Maatir Gandha, Deepti (quarterly published since 1987), Tulsi Chandan (quarterly published since 1982), Pragati, Manikaustav (monthly published since 1981), Jaameeni (bi-monthly published since 1976), Raamkinkar, Lagnausha (quarterly published since 1979), Lokaayata, Shatadal (quarterly published since 1981), Samakriti, Sat (annual published since 1988), and Mukta Kanthaswar (quarterly published since 1988) Pipilika ( tri monthly published from 2016).[19]
Art
Jamini Roy (1887–1972), one of the most celebrated artists of modern India, was born in a remote village of Bankura district.[20]
References
- ^ Ghosh, Binoy, Paschim Banger Sanskriti, (in Bengali), part I, 1976 edition, pp. 62-65, Prakash Bhaban
- ^ Ray, Nihar Ranjan, Bangalir Itihas Adi Parba, (in Bengali), 1980 edition, pp. 276-281, Paschim Banga Niraksharata Durikaran Samiti
- ^ Ghosh, Binoy, pp. 328-331
- ^ Ghosh, Binoy, pp. 331-342
- ^ a b c d Ghosh, Binoy, pp. 337-346
- ^ a b c O’Malley, L.S.S., ICS, Bankura, Bengal District Gazetteers, pp. 183-191, 1995 reprint, first published 1908, Government of West Bengal
- ^ "Terracotta Traditions". potteryindia. Archived from the original on 6 July 2002. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Bankura's Horses". bengalinet. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Arts". Bankura Pottery. Suni Systems (P) Ltd. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Temples of Bankura". Hindu books Universe. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "List of handicrafts of Bankura". bankura.org. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Bishnupur Sub-Division: A Profile – Art and culture". Office of Subdivisional Officer, Bishnupur, Bankura, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Baluchari and silk item". Bankura.org. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Introduction". Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Fairs and Festivals". Bankura.org. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Jhapan Festival – the Snake Festival Dedicated to Goddess Manasa in Bankura District in West Bengal". Hindu Blog. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Music". Office of Subdivisional Officer, Bishnupur, Bankura, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Vishnupur Festival (West Bengal)". Web India 123. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Little magazines published from Bankura". Kolkata Book Fair. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ "Jamini Roy". calcuttaweb. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ "Ramkinkar Baij". Saffronart. Retrieved 1 August 2010.