The Making of Regional Cultures

Often by the language they speak, the food they eat, the clothes they wear, and the arts they practice.

The Chera kingdom (9th century) in Kerala introduced the Malayalam language and script in their inscriptions. This is one of the earliest examples of a regional language used in official records.

Anantavarman (Ganga dynasty) decided to erect a temple for Purushottama Jagannatha at Puri (Odisha). Later, King Anangabhima III dedicated his kingdom to the deity.

Literally 'Lord of the World', a name for Vishnu. The wooden image is made by local tribal people, suggesting the deity was originally a local god.

Derived from 'Katha' (story). Originally a caste of storytellers in temples of North India. It evolved into a classical dance form under the Mughals and later in the courts of Rajasthan and Lucknow.

A system of musical/dance lineage or school. In Kathak, two gharanas developed: Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Lucknow (Awadh).

The last Nawab of Awadh. Under his patronage, Kathak grew into a major art form.

Small-sized paintings, generally done in water colour on cloth or paper. Earliest were on palm leaves.

A bold and intense style of miniature painting that developed in the Himalayan foothills (e.g., Himachal Pradesh). famous work: 'Bhanudatta's Rasamanjari'.

A style developed after Nadir Shah's invasion (1739) when Mughal artists fled to the hills. It is characterized by soft colours (cool blues and greens) and lyrical treatment.

It is derived from Sanskrit but evolved through contact with tribal languages, Persian, and European languages. Early Bengali literature exists in two categories: Sanskrit-based and Independent.

Poems describing deities (local gods) found in early Bengali literature.

A Persian word meaning a spiritual guide. In Bengal, community leaders who claimed supernatural powers were called Pirs.

Temples built with brick and terracotta (baked clay) panels. They often copied the double-roof (dochala) or four-roof (chauchala) structure of thatched huts.

To demonstrate power and piety. Many were built by low social groups like the Kolu (oil pressers) and Kansari (bell metal workers).

The legends of Radha-Krishna used in dance-plays called Rasa Lila.

Mughal emperors (Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan) patronized skilled painters. Later, Rajput courts and Himalayan states continued the tradition.

They did not recognize them as 'Classical' initially. The term 'Classical' is complicated.

They drew upon Sanskritic traditions. The temple theatre of Kerala borrowed stories from Sanskrit epics.

Literally 'Diamonds and Corals'. It refers to a literary style combining Sanskrit and the regional language (Malayalam). Example: Lilatilakam (grammar book).

Language is a marker of identity.

Cheras ruled Mahodayapuram (Kerala).

Malayalam was used in inscriptions in 9th century.

Lilatilakam deals with grammar and poetics.

Jagannatha temple is in Puri, Odisha.

Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Jagannatha are worshipped.

Kathak storytellers used gestures and songs.

Dhrupad music is associated with Tansen.

Kathak became a classical dance.

There are 6 recognised classical dances usually.

Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu).

Kathakali (Kerala).

Odissi (Odisha).

Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh).

Manipuri (Manipur).

Miniatures were used to illustrate manuscripts.

Mughal miniatures depicted court scenes, hunting, battles.

Mewar, Jodhpur, Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh were Rajput centres.

Nadir Shah's invasion led to migration of artists.

Kangra artists were inspired by Vaishnavite traditions.

Ordinary people also painted on walls/pots.

Bengali language has a rich history.

Magadha was a commercial centre affecting language.

Chaitanya was a leader of the Vaishnava Bhakti movement.

Nath literature (Maynamati, Gopichandra) is famous.

Dharma Thakur is a local Bengali deity.

Pirs included saints and animistic spirits.

Bengal was a riverine plain producing rice and fish.

Fishing was a major occupation in Bengal.

Brahmanas in Bengal were allowed to eat fish (Brihaddharma Purana).

European trading companies bought Bengal textiles.

Dochala is a two-roofed structure.

Chauchala is a four-roofed structure.

Vishnupur temples are famous for terracotta.

Regional cultures are dynamic.

Traditions fuse and change.

Old memories are preserved.

New practices are adopted.

Language boundaries are not rigid.

Persian influenced Bengali.

Tribal languages influenced Bengali.

Awadhi is a regional language (Tulsidas used it).

Rajputana is an old name for Rajasthan.

Sati was a practice associated with Rajputs.

Minstrels recorded memories of heroes.

Emotion is central to these traditions.

Cultural practices vary by region.

Ganga Dynasty in Odisha

Akbar conquers Bengal

Nadir Shah invades

British establish rule