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Know About Nautanki Ramleela and Kathak

Dr Atul Kumar Singh Parmar — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 09:39:20 +0000

It is very time that art cannot survive without a good Patron and the love of the audience. This has been the case with the old traditions of Nautanki Ramleela and Kathak. There was a time before the advent of Bollywood, when these stage shows were in vogue and super demanded.

What is Nautanki?

Nautanki is a form of folk theater which has deep traditional roots. Before the movies become popular among the audience, Nautanki was the major source of amusement and recreation among the masses of North Indian villages.

Why Nautanki become so popular?

Nautankis are rich dramatic melodramas which are performed with the accompaniment of folk songs and traditional music. In most of the Nautankis, Nakkaras (Big Drums) and harmonium are used to elucidate the charming effects. These rich musical traditions with the garnishing effect of humor and comedy make the appeal of Nautankis among the people deep rooted. Moreover the prevalent and most demanded stoves are selected as the themes of Nautanki dramas. Thus the folk songs well demanded story and the use of local language make it very popular in the rural areas.

How are Nautankis Performed?

Even in the era of booming mass media, social media, T.V and movies, the theater has it’s own role these Nautankis when performed can attract thousands of spectators at a time.

As a child I had the opportunity to be a witness to Nautanki shows what in local terns we called Tamasha. Normally a lot of mouth publicity was done before the event. Everybody used to be anxious to watch it. Such performances are done at community level. A team of artist comprising of same male and female were brought on the cart with their apparatus.

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In the late evening the beat of Nakkara was the invitation call. Before the dramatic presentation few local songs and dances were staged. Later the main stories were played and for comic interlude there were the provisions of the entry of a comedian or Joker.

What are the themes of Nautanki?

Commonly the Nautankis are similar to Operas and the themes are takes from the mythology, romantic tales, stories of valour same moral stories. Amar Singh Rathore and Moradhwaj stories have been very popular among the audience. These performances with the effects of the members are done at village Chowpals or at same community building such as Panchayat Ghar or School. The other popular stores chosen for staying are satya Harish chandra, Sultana Daku etc.

The present Nautanki shows have adapted themselves according to the need of the hour and the needs of the audience. The themes are Charging like based on dowry, child marriages, Sas Bahu relations etc. In the same way the old folk songs are replaced with the modern Bollywood songs such as Tamanchay Pe disco and so on.

What is Ramleela? – Know about Nautanki Ramleela and Kathak

Ramleela word is the amalgamation of two words- Ram and Lila. Ram is the Lord Rama and Leela signifies his actions. Thus Ramleela is the dramatic enactment of Lord Rama’s life, his deeds and ideas as narrated in the Ramayana or the Ramcharit Manas.

India has long traditions of celebrating the deeds of Lord Rama through Ramleela shows and worshiping the Lord.

Scale of Ramleela Shows across the Globe

Ramleela festivities are celebrated across the major cities of North India like Ayodhya, Varanasi, Allahabad, Farukhabad. It is not only limited to India but the Hindu society of Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia also have great craze for it. Now it has become popular among the Hindus of Caribbean countries of Trinidad Tobago, Malaysia, Fiji and U.S.A also .Taking into consideration the importance of this festivity and the likes of the masses UNESCO has declared this event as the intangible cultural Heritage of Humanity in the year 2008.

Ramleela Maidan

As you go to some important cities in North India you find a large ground called Ramlila ground. These are the places when close to Dussehera Ramlila shows are enacted or the Ravan Dahan is also done. Besides these grounds some cities have famous buildings of school or theaters where the Ramlila performances are done.

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Janakpuri Mahotsav – Know about Nautanki Ramleela and Kathak

Janakpuri Mahotsav, Agra is an important celebration in Agra like in some other cities alsothe tradition of Ram Barat is followed . The Ram Barat after the full display of regality approaches the venue of Janakpuri Mahotsav where the marriage of Lord Ram and mata Sita takes places. Besides the other brothers of Rama- Laxman, Bharat and Shashtrughan are also married to the other daughters of Janak.

The Janakpuri Mahotsav has the age long tradition in Agra and it is arranged every year in different parts of the city decided by the Janakpuri Mahotsav Committee. A grand palace is made by using the bamboos and thermocole by the thousands of artists from Bengal. This festival goes on for three consecutive days.

Kathak Dance – Know about Nautanki Ramleela and Kathak

Kathak Dance

Kathak is the major dance form which is supposed to originate from the traditions of travelling bards. These bards were known as Kathakars or the story tellers and used to wonder around to exhibit their performance based on the legendary stories. They adopted the medium of music, dance and songs to entertain the audience from the word Kathakar the word Kathak is originated. These Kathakars communicated the stories through the rhythmic movement of feet and hand gestures. The roots of Kathak dance from roly on the “Natya Shastra” written by Bhart Muni. Lucknow Ghavana of Lucknow become very popular with Kathak dance and it was of initiated by Ishwari Prasad ji. This dance form gained much popularity during the Mughal epoch.

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Ras Leela – Know about Nautanki Ramleela and Kathak

Ras Leela

Besides Kathak and Nautanki Ras Leela and Charkula are two other dance forms of Uttar Pradesh. They are supposed to emerge during the period of Lord Krishna. Ras Leela depots the eternal love of Radha and Krishna. Chakula narrated the birth of Radharani.

Karma and Dadra – Know about Nautanki Ramleela and Kathak

Karma Folk Dance

Karma dance is very popular in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. This is dance form of the tributs. Dadra another popular dance of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar lies the themes based on nuptial and sexual bliss.

Dadra, dance

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15 Common Superstitions in India Still Followed

Dr Atul Kumar Singh Parmar — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:16:39 +0000

Superstition is a common belief or practice which just has no scientific base, away from the rational faculty. Since times immemorial the entire human race has been living under the clothes of superstitions. Even the old civilizations like the Mayans, Aztec, Egyptian, the Chinese or the Indian have been practicing the age-old superstitions. Read about the most common superstition in India.

India is a country of diversity and multi-ethnicity and cultural traditions. We are still involved in lots of baseless superstitions which have no relation to scientific theories and analysis. These superstitions have made dwelling places in the minds of the masses and without applying logical sense we are still practicing them just as we if we were living in the primitive times.

Luck India

In Indian society people consider luck factor as the deciding factor for bygone happenings and the on coming events. Being superstitious meaning in Hindi is andhvishwashi. Behind factor called as bhootkaal. We stop working or going out if anyone sneezes suddenly. If a cat crosses the load, we change the way or pause for some time. In the modern world of science, technology, when we are planning for space tourism and man, is preparing for landing on Mars, we have to discard the rigid age-old taboos of superstitions.

In the following blog, I try to include the popular Superstition in India and the possible reasoning behind them. Let us clamor for a pragmatic approach to these superstitions in vogue and without fingering anybody who believes in them, we should try to eradicate them.

Breaking of Mirror

If you loose the mirror from hand, what happens? You are left in the lurch whether something bad is going to occur? Similarly, if the panel of your door is broken automatically, you suspect of bad times. This superstition arose from the western world and is also housed in Indian culture.

In ancient times glass was expensive and the best kind of glass articles and mirrors and chandeliers were all imported from Europe especially from Belgium. The ancient Roman preached that the breaking of a mirror can cause seven years of bad luck.

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This was all due to be the value of a mirror so that one might not indulge in carelessness while holding a mirror. Modern chemical science has proved that it is all a scientific process if a glass panel splits in twain. It might be the effect of circumstance or the chemical reactions or a change in temperature.

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An Empty Bucket Can Result in Cipher

If you are going out of the house for some good reasons and unluckily you see someone coming with an empty bucket or vessel, it can create a break on the good work or the purpose you are going for maybe foiled.

This can create hindrance to your work and can be unprofitable. On the other side if you find the bucket full with water or milk, it is considered a good omen. This is basically all psychological and no apparent reasoning can be applied to this particular superstition.

Black Cat crossing your way- Superstition in India

It is very common superstition prevailing not only in Indian society but also in the old western culture also. It is believed that if you are going out of your home for any work and a black colored cat is crossing your way, you should stop for a while or return back for a while and drink water by letting the other people go first.

The origin of this belief might be from the Old Egyptian Society in which the black Cat was always considered bewitched with the foul spirits and evils. In Indian society as well the black cat is considered ominous and linked with the evil. But the reality may lie elsewhere.

As in the ancient times people had to travel across the forests using the muddy ways with lots of bushes and flora and fauna. There was a possibility of cat being chased by some wild animals which might even attack the humans. Thus it was indicative of some impending danger. Just to avoid such dangers this became customary that if a cut crosses your way, you must stop.

Sneezing Hampering Good Result – Superstition in India

Another popular superstition in Indian society is that if you want to start a new work or going out of the house for same good reasons. If anyone sneezes, it is ominous. You should stop doing the work for same time, have a glass of water and again restart for the work. There is again logic in the same, earlier people used to travel on foot covering large distances, suppose someone steps out of his home and sneezes, this indicates his not so good physical health.

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Hanging Lemon & Chilies – Common superstition in India

According to the belief Goddess lakshmi is considered as one who can bring wrath on your business and can bring havoc if displeased. It considered that she always likes bitter and pungent tasting items unlike most other Gods and Goddess.

Thus it is customary with most of the shop owners or with the offices or with the drivers to offer a string with the lemon and chilies in front of the gate of their business establishment or hang it in front of the vehicle just to appease the deity. More scientific view is that by placing the lemon and chilies you try to wand off the small insects and other parasites.

Adding One Rupees coin

In Indian Society it is very common to add one rupee coin to the gift or donated sum. Suppose you are going to attend a wedding party and you want to offer a gift of 500 or 1000, you do not forget to put extra coin of 1 rupee. Similarly if you donate some amount to the temple, priest or for the charity you always make it odd number by adding one extra coin.

Have you ever thought why this is done? This is just because of making the even number odd as the even number has always 0 which signify cipher or zero. Zero signifies loss in Indian psychology which always believes in progress and profit (Shubh Labh) which is commonly seen written in front of Indian houses and merchant establishments signifies the blessed profit.

Fidgeting can lose Wealth

The practice of shaking legs during sitting is call fidgeting. It is considered if you shake off the legs it can cause loss of your wealth. According to human behavioral experience it is considered bad to shake off legs.Even scientifically it is now proved that fidgeting is basically a mental disorder and is caused by hypertensive and hyperactive brain.

Avoid Going under the Haunted Peepal Tree in the Night

The old people in the villages always advised the children not to go under the Peepal (Ficus) tree in the night as there is the dwelling place of monster or the Ghost. This way people were scared to go under the tree to avoid the disaster.

Modern Botanical researches proved that Peepal tree during the Photosynthesis process absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it to Oxygen during the day time, while in the night time the process is different and it releases Carbon dioxide in abundance.

More so people used to be afraid of the falling droplets which were a result of the process of Guttation. These falling droplets scared the old people as they had no apparent reason for the sprinkle which was quite apparent during the summer season.

Why Not Sweeping After the Sunset

In the Indian society this is a popular belief not to sweep the houses after the sunset. It is considered if anyone does so, it will displease the Goddess of wealth and prosperity- Lakshmi and she will be blocked out of the house. This will create impending danger to the inhabitant’s loss.

It is commonly believed that goddess comes to visit the houses after the sunset. But more practical approach behind this theory is that in case you drop some valuable items of gold or other jewelry it might be thrown outside the house with the broom. So better stay away from sweeping at night.

Bird’s Shit Bringing Good Luck

According to the deep rooted superstitions it is considered if a bird shit come down upon you, it can make you uneasy as it might make your clothes or vehicle dirty. On the other hand it can be beneficial to you as it will bring good luck.

Shopkeepers Avoid Selling Hankies in the Morning

The sellers of fabrics never sell handkerchief in the morning from their stores in India. It is under the belief that if they do so with the first sale they entire day they will repent wiping off tears from their eyes.

Cast off en Evil Eye – Superstition in India

It is common in India to put a mark of Kajal (black sool) on the child’s forehead. This is to avoid the evil eye on the child. Similarly mothers do it by hovering sandals seven times on the child and thumping it on the ground.

Keeping Knife and Onion in the Bed

In India if a marriage takes place, couples are suggested to keep a knife and Chilies on the Bed. In the same way if a person dies the bereaved are advised to keep these articles with them. This way you ward off the evil spirits away and continue dreaming.

Twitching of the Eye – Common superstition in India

In Indian Culture there is prevailing superstition that if a man’s right eye is twitching it is good omen but the left eye twitching is considered amnions. This is opposite to the ladies. People become perplexed if it happens thinking of some bad thing to happen. Now this all is considered a figment of Imagination as the causes of eye twitching are different. It might happen on account of the eye pressure, fatigue, allergy or the blood pressure.

Cutting Nails on Saturday

According to the Hindu superstition, it is considered ominous to cut your fingernails on Saturday. This day is dedicated to the Saturn God (Shani) and the people opine Shani Maharaj if displeased will bring havoc upon you.The cutting of nails is also prohibited after the sunset. Sure there is a reason earlier the light was not so ggod and oil lanterns were mostly used and mechanics to cut nails was also not very good so people warned to cut nails without proper light.

Most of these superstitions probably once had scientific reasoning behind them but now in the light of modern science these appear redundant and people must shy from believing in these age old shackles.

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Laments of Shah Jahan on The Loss of Mumtaz Mahal

Dr Atul Kumar Singh Parmar — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 12:19:54 +0000

Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal’s story has been a passion of the readers for ages. They were entwined together and in their youth were like two swans enjoying the horizons. Mumtaz was the title name conferred to Anjunand Bano by Shah Jahan. She was the granddaughter of Mirza Giyas Beg who used to hold the important portfolio during the reign of Jahangir. As the daughter of Mirza Noor Jahan was already married to Jahangir. Mumtaz also had easy access to the harem.

The best part of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz mahal’s story is that while prince Khurram (Shahjahan) had the first glance of this Persian girl, he was ensnared by the beauty and the art of this chit.

Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal story of true love

This couple lived together for a span of 19 years and as a true lover and devoted wife lady always accompanied him even though it might be a hunting expedition or war camping. Well known fact of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal story is that she also heaved her last sigh during childbirth. While Shah Jahan encamped at Burhanpur to suppress a rebellion of Khan-II-Jahan Lodi. Inside the harem, she was so powerful that she used to hold the official signet and the core of Shah Jahan’s heart.

What happens to Shah Jahan after the death of Mumtaz

On the loss of Mumtaz, Shah Jahan becomes so bereaved that almost for one month he was absent from jharokha Darsham (Appearing before the Subjects) which was a daily routine of him. He kept himself aloof away from the harem activities and daily course of life like dispensing justice, discussions of the affairs of the stall, etc. Folklores say that while he appeared after one month his hair turned white on account of extreme grief.

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