Article

Contribution of Rajasthani Culture in Indian Cinema

“INDIA IS THE CREDLE OF HUMAN RACE, THE BIRTH PLACE OF HUMAN SPEECH, THE MOTHER OF HISTORY,  THE GRAND MORHER OF LEGENDS AND THE GREAT GRAND MOTHER OF TRADITIONS.”  

 – MARK TWAIN 

Author : Priya Siontra

The above quote speaks volumes about the rich heritage, tradition and culture of India. Every state of  India holds unique cultural values and traditions and amongst these Rajasthan also known as “land of  kings” owns the pride of enriching the entire culture of India. Known for its beautiful land of brave Rajputs, heritage palaces and historic forts, the natives of Rajasthan still hold their 5000 years old culture and  traditions with their present contemporary lifestyle, thereby making Rajasthan a vibrant state. 

VIBRANT COLORS OF RAJASTHANI CULTURE 

The rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan can be inferred from- 

⮚ Rajasthani music: Which involves ballads about heroic deeds and love stories, religious and  devotional bhajans accompanied by traditional music instrument i.e. dholak, sitar, sarangi, etc.  ⮚ Rajasthani Dances: Including kalbelyia dance, jhoomer, kath-putli, teratali, parth dance, etc. ⮚ Rajasthani Cuisines: Originating from Mewar such as daal baati, choorma, kachori, ghewar all  made from 100% pure ghee. 

⮚ Rajasthani Architecture: Includes forts, temples, palaces of Kings Examples are Jaisalmer fort,  Amber fort, Hawa mahal, Dilwara temples, etc. 

⮚ Rajasthani Handicraft: Such as carpets, garments, jewelry made by localities, miniature items  made from red sandstone, etc. 

⮚ Rajasthani Attire: Includes odhni, Dhoti, Kurtas, Safan, ghaagra, choli with traditional block prints,  tie and dye prints, etc. 

⮚ Rajasthani Language: A unique dialect originating from different parts of Rajasthan such as  Marwari, Malvi, Meveti, etc.

Because of such a beautiful blend of unique components of culture, Rajasthan has been the center of attraction for the Bollywood industry. The present rural life of Rajasthan state depicts the exact lifestyle that  was followed by Rajputana royals and natives in ancient and medieval times. 

RAJASTHANI CULTURE IN INDIAN CINEMA 

The relationship between Rajasthan and Indian Bollywood is as old as Indian cinema. From splendid spots  and mesmerizing places to desert land and rural life, Rajasthan’s exquisiteness is best portrayed in movies  of Bollywood. From Mugal-e-azam to present days’ latest releases, Rajasthani culture and land is displayed  in one way or the other. 

DEPICTION OF RAJASTHANI CULTURE AND TRADITIONS IN BOLLYWOOD 

⮚ Depiction of Rajasthani Architecture: A blockbuster movie Mugal-e-azam captured the  gloriousness of Amber fort’s sheesh mahal. Apart from this, numerous movies such as Dor, Jodha  Akbar, Baaji Rao Mastani, Padmavat, etc have shown the magnificent palaces, forts and temples  of Rajasthan. 

⮚ Depiction of Rural life: The rural life of Rajasthan is still same as it was in older times. This attracts  the producers and directors to choose this as the story of their movies; examples here can be of Pehali (2005), a movie purely based on culture and traditions of Rajasthan depicting wide deserts and rural life, families and social relationships among people. Such depiction was also made in PK (2014), Dhanak (2015), etc. 

⮚ Depiction of glorious past: Rajputs, the warriors and royal kings as also been the center of  attraction for Bollywood industry. Padmavat movie is based on the story of a Rajput king of Rajasthan.  Jodha Akbar also depicts the traditional glorious Rajputana rural of Rajasthan. Even the modern  lifestyle and cultural values of royal families are shown in movie ‘Prem ratan dhan payo’  

⮚ Depiction of Rajasthani Culture and traditions: Almost all the movies shot in Rajasthan depicts  the culture and tradition of Rajasthan through language, attire, dances, songs and cuisines, etc.  irrespective of the story of the movie. 

⮚ Depiction of social issues: Because of rural population and lack of access to resources, the special  issues in the life of Rajasthani also created attention in the minds of film producers and movies  were made on these issues such as Dor (2006) that portrait a story of strong willed women who  created their own destinies against all odds. Such other social issue of untouchability was depicted  in Ghulaami movie. 

Apart from this, the desert land and historical places are almost present in all the Bollywood movies. Be  it old movies or latest ones such as DDLJ, Vivah, Humpty Sharma ki dulhania, Highway, Eklavya, I am Kalam  and the list is endless.

WHY CULTURE IS SO PROMINENT IN BOLLYWOOD MOVIES? 

The rich culture of Rajasthan depicts contrasting sides of India’s past. Following are the points that  indicates the reason of showing Rajasthani culture and tradition in Indian Bollywood: 

⮚ Rajasthani culture is a beautiful blend of two contrasting traits i.e. warriors and peace loving  people. There are Rajputs, Marwaris on one side which are known for heroic deeds and on the  other side, there are peace loving natives living a colorful life and preserving the rich heritage of their  glorious past. This kind of blend is rare in the world. 

⮚ Rajasthani civilization is as old as Ramayana and Mahabharata. People belonging to Rajasthani  tribal communities, have preserved their 5000 year old culture and civilization from external intrusions. This helps Bollywood producers and directors to depict the historic rich culture of  Rajasthani civilization 

⮚ Even the forts, palaces are well maintained by Rajasthani royals without losing even a single  historic monument, that royalty is depicted in Bollywood movies as a symbol of India’s unique cultural past. 

⮚ And last but not the least, depiction of Rajasthani culture by the way of Rajasthani songs, dances,  scenic beauty, palaces, etc in Bollywood movies creates dearness in movies. Reason being,  the culture of Rajasthan in itself is a blend of various cultures of India. 

Thus to conclude, Rajasthan has played a crucial role in Bollywood Indian Cinema by not only  providing talented artists such as Irfaan Khan, Jagjit Singh, KC Bokadia, Vishav Mohan Bhatt, but also  the rich Rajasthani culture depicted through various forms in Bollywood movies.

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