Yara International School

2023 – 2024

Diversity of Folk Culture that Integrates

India

Student Name(s): Hamzah Sajid, Raza Khan

Class: 8-G
Subject: Social Science
Roll Number: Hamzah Sajid – 7; Raza Khan – 16;
 Index

1. Introduction
2. Folk Songs
a. Ghazals
b. Bhajan
3. Tribes
a. Gonds
b. Banjaras
c. Bhils
4. Conclusion
 Introduction
India is a land of rich and diverse culture, with a myriad
of folk traditions that have been passed down from
generation to generation. These traditions reflect the
unique customs, beliefs, and lifestyles of the country's
many different communities.

Folk culture in India can be broadly divided into two

categories: folk songs and folk tribes. Folk songs are
traditional
ballads and
melodies that
are often sung
on special
occasions,
such as
festivals,
weddings, and funerals. Folk tribes are indigenous
communities that have their own unique cultures and
languages.
 Ghazals
Lyrics:
‫ہوتا ےہ شب و روز تماشا مرے آگ‬ ‫بازیچۂ اطفال ےہ دنیا مرے آگ‬

‫اک کھیل ےہ اورنگ سلیماں مرے نزدیک اک بات ےہ اعجاز مسیحا مرے آگ‬

ٔ‫ی‬
‫ہست اشیا مرے آگ‬ ‫نہی‬
‫جز وہم ں‬ ‫نہی صورت عالم مجھے منظور‬
‫جز نام ں‬

‫جبی خاک پہ دریا مرے آگ‬ ‫ی‬

‫می صحرا مرے ہوت گھستا ےہ ں‬
‫ہوتا ےہ نہاں گرد ں‬

Mirza Galib -

Introduction:
Ghazal is a form of poetry that originated in Arabia. It is
often used to express themes of love and separation.
The ghazal has a specific form, with
rhyming couplets and a refrain.

The ghazal is typically composed of

five to fifteen couplets, with each
couplet rhyming with the previous
one. The ghazal also has a refrain,
which is a word or phrase that is
repeated at the end of each couplet.
Special Features:
Ghazals have a number of special features that
distinguish them from other forms of poetry. First, they
are all written in the same meter and rhyme scheme.
This gives them a sense of unity and coherence. Second,
ghazals often use complex imagery and symbolism. This
can make them challenging to read and understand, but
it also adds to their depth and richness. Third, ghazals
often deal with universal themes such as love, loss, and
the search for meaning. This makes them relatable to
readers from all backgrounds.

Ocassion of Singing:
Ghazals are often sung at mehfils and mushairas.
Mehfils are gatherings of poets and music lovers where
they recite and sing
their work.
Mushairas are more
formal events where
poets compete to
see who can write
the best ghazal.
Ghazals are also
sung at weddings, funerals, and other special occasions.
 Bhajan
Lyrics:
रघुपति राघव राजाराम पतिि पावन सीिाराम ॥
सुंद
ु र ववग्रह मेघश्याम गुंगा िल
ु सी शालग्राम ॥
भद्रगगरीश्वर सीिाराम भगि-जनविय सीिाराम ॥
जानकीरमणा सीिाराम जयजय राघव सीिाराम ॥
रघुपति राघव राजाराम पतिि पावन सीिाराम ॥
रघप
ु ति राघव राजाराम पतिि पावन सीिाराम ॥
- Saint Ramdas

Introduction:
Bhajan refers to any devotional song with a religious
theme or spiritual
ideas, specifically
among Indian religions,
in any language.

Ideas from scriptures,

legendary epics, the
teachings of saints and loving devotion to a deity are
typical subjects in bhajans.
Special Features:
Bhajans have a number of special
features that make them unique.
First, they are often sung in a call-
and-response format, with a leader
singing a line and the group
responding. Second, Bhajans are
often accompanied by simple
musical instruments, such as
drums, cymbals, and harmoniums.
This makes them accessible to
people of all backgrounds and skill levels. Third, Bhajans
are often sung in a variety of languages, including Hindi,
Sanskrit, and Tamil. Fourth, Bhajans often have simple,
repetitive melodies that are easy to sing along to.
Bhajans are normally lyrical and based on melodic ragas.

Ocassion of Singing:
Bhajans are devotional songs that are sung in Hindu
religious and spiritual contexts . They are often sung
during festivals, such as Diwali and Holi, and during
pilgrimages to holy sites, such as Varanasi and Haridwar.
Bhajans are also sung at community gatherings, such as
satsangs and kirtans, and at weddings and funerals.
 Gonds
The Gondi people are one of the largest indigenous
groups in India, with a population of over 13 million.
They have a rich
and diverse
culture, which is
influenced by
their Dravidian
heritage, as well
as their interactions with other groups in the region.
They are spread over the states of Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana,
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha.

Culture:
The Gondi people have a strong oral tradition, and their
culture is rich in folklore, legends, and myths. They are
also known for their traditional music and dance, which
are often performed at festivals and other gatherings.

The Gondi people have a strong sense of community,

and they are known for their hospitality and generosity.
They are also a very religious people, and their beliefs
are a mixture of Hinduism and traditional animism.
Language:
The Gondi language is a Dravidian language, and it is
spoken by over 3 million people in India. It is the most
widely spoken Dravidian language after Telugu and
Tamil.

Festivals:
The Gondi people have a
number of festivals
throughout the year.
Some of the most
important Gondi festivals
are Hareli and Ghotmar.

The Gondi people also have a number of other festivals,

such as the Pola festival, Diwali, Dusshera, the Shivratri
festival, and the Holi festival.
 Banjaras
The Banjara people are a diverse ethnic group native to
India and Pakistan. The
Banjara people are
thought to have
originated in Rajasthan,
India.
The Banjara people are
traditionally nomadic,
and they have a strong tradition of trade and travel.
They are known for their skills in horsemanship and
camelry, and they have historically played an important
role in the trade routes of South Asia.
Culture:
The Banjara people have a rich and vibrant culture. They
are known for their elaborate embroidery and tattooing,
as well as their traditional dances, such as the Ghumar
and Chari. Banjara society is patriarchal, with men taking
the lead in religious and political matters.

Banjaras have traditionally traveled from place to place

in search of trade opportunities, and their culture has
been influenced by the many different cultures they
have encountered along the way.
Language:
As the Banjara language has no script, it is either written
in Devanagari script or in the script of the local language
such as Telugu or Kannada. Many Banjaras today are
bilingual or multilingual, adopting the predominant
language of their surroundings, but those that continue
to live in areas of dense Banjara population persist with
their traditional language.
Festivals:
The Gonds Tribe of India has its own set of festivities
apart from the regional
ones. They worship gods
related to their clan,
family, cattle, field, and
diseases. They believe in
nature spirits. Every
village has two
representatives that are
worshipped during the festivities - the village guardian
and the village matriarch. The regional festivities they
have been known to celebrate include Nagpanchami,
Dussehra, and Pola.
 Bhils
The Bhils are an ethnic group indigenous to India,
primarily in the states of
Gujarat, Madhya
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Maharashtra, and
Rajasthan. They are the
largest tribal group in
India, with a population
of over 10 million people.
The Bhils have a rich and
diverse culture, which is reflected in their art, music,
dance, and religious beliefs.

Culture:
The Bhil tribe has a rich and unique culture, including its
Pithora painting, Ghoomar dance, and cuisine. The Bhils
are traditionally non-vegetarian and their diet consists of
maize, onion, garlic, chili, fruits, vegetables, and wild
fauna. They wear traditional dresses such as the Pagri,
Angarkha, Dhoti, Gamchha, Sari, and Ghagra Choli.

Bhils have their own local deities (Gramdev) and families

too have their Jatidev, Kuldev and Kuldevi (house hold
deity) which is symbolised by stones.
Language:
The language commonly spoken by Bhils throughout their
geographic distribution is Bhili. Bhili has about up to 36
identified dialects and pronunciation differs by region.
Bhili is based on Gujarati, but dialects of Bhili gradually
merge into more widely spoken languages such as
Marathi in the southeast and Rajasthani in the northwest.
Around 10 million people recorded themselves as
speaking a Bhili dialect in the census.
Festivals:
There are a number of festivals, viz. Rakhi, Navratri,
Dashera, Diwali,
Holi which are
celebrated by the
Bhils. They also
celebrate some
traditional
festivals viz.
Akhatij, Navmi, Howan Mata ki Chalavani, Sawan Mata ki
jatar, Diwasa, Nawai, Bhagoria, Gal, Gar, Dhobi, Sanja,
Indel, Doha etc. with ceremonious zeal and enthusiasm.
 Conclusion
The diversity of folk culture in India is truly remarkable.
From the north to the south, and from the east to the
west, each region has its own unique folk songs, dances,
and traditions. This diversity is a reflection of India's rich
history and heritage, and it is one of the country's
greatest assets.

The folk culture of India is a force that brings Indians

together which make them unite. The folk culture of
India is also a valuable source of knowledge and
wisdom. It teaches us about our ancestors, our
traditions, and our values. It also teaches us how to live
in harmony with nature and with each other.