RAJASTHAN, land of a people who
are brave and chivalrous, is a land of superlatives-every thing herein is
breathtakingly beautiful, impressive and fascinating. It is packed with
history, art and culture that goes back several centuries. Rajasthan has a
total area of 343,000 sq. km and the most striking feature of this land is
its division by the majestic Aravalli range which runs from north east to
south-west for about 688 km. Northwest of the Aravallis are the Jodhpur,
Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner regions, it is the home of arid plains and the
shifting sand dunes of the great Thar Desert. The other side of the hills is
a land of rich in vegetation - Aravalli.
Rajasthan is among the richest states in the country as far as the field of
arts and crafts is concerned. Stone, clay, leather, wood, ivory, lac, glass,
brass, silver, gold and textiles are given the most brilliant forms. Some of
the popular crafts are, Meenakari, Jewelry, Ivory, Lac and Glass, Sandalwood
and Wood, Stone, Hand Printing fabrics, mirror work costumes etc.
Without music and Dance, people of Rajasthan cannot survive. After hard
work in the harsh desert sun and rocky terrain, there is dancing, singing,
drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other community festivities.
Music and Dance is part of their fairs and festivals and without it, a fair
has no life. The festivities are usually marked by folk-dances
accompanied
by music played on a variety of locally made instruments. Excitement, gaiety
and a keen sense of competition fill the air during festivals. Spirited
columns of people with camels, horses, bullock carts, cars and jeeps lead
for the site. Most of the fairs offer wonderful opportunity to trade in
cattle and leather goods, handicrafts, clothes, utensils.
