Culture of Bikaner include a wide array of fabulous features that have evolved in the place over the past centuries. The food of Bikaner is an inherent trait of its cultural dynamism. Since Bikaner is a dry region, hence most of the dishes prepared in Bikaner involve butter and buttermilk. Pakodi, gatta ki sabji and khata are some of the delectables of Bikaner.
The art and craft of Bikaner is another major appeal of the culture of the place. The carpet weaving industry of Bikaner is one of the renowned sectors of Rajasthan which has gained popularity due to the mastery of the local craftsmen. Meenakari and other similar jewelery works are also a a part of the art and craft of Bikaner.
The music of Bikaner is yet another fascinating feature of the cultural heritage of the place. Taalbandi or Dangal is one of the prime folk music forms of Bikaner which has a major contribution in enriching the melodic heritage of the place.
The Utsa art is probably one of the most significant parts of the culture of Bikaner. The expert craftsmen like Hisam-ud-din Utsa, Mr. Ayub Utsa, Mr. Iqubal, Hanif Utsa and Mr. Javed Hasan are known to have added special strokes of mastery to this miniature and gold embossing art of Bikaner.
The religious and social festivals celebrated in Bikaner also forms an important part of its culture. Gangaur, Kolayat and Camel festival are the three prime occasions on which the city of Bikaner transforms into a vibrant platform of mirth and jubilation. The camel races are an integral feature of the Bikaner culture.
Endowed with a range of ecstatic appeals, Bikaner and its culture truly fascinates one and all.
Art and Craft
Art and craft of Bikaner is an interesting blend of several exotic creative expressions like that of miniature paintings and carpet weaving. The miniature art of Bikaner is said to have emerged in the region, as early as in 1600s. The Rajasthani Rajputs were known to have encouraged this magnificent work of art in the ancient times.
Although the miniature paintings were done by many artist of the Mughal courts, yet the Bikaneri art was something very unique and appealing. The special trait of the miniature of Bikaner lies in the use of colorscapes, foliage and background hues. Some of the miniature paintings of Bikaner are so enticing that they capture the attention of the viewers instantly. The rich colors and bright backgrounds of the miniature art makes it one of the popular traits of the culture of Bikaner.
Carper weaving is another major element of the Bikaner art and craft. Being woven with the camel hair, the colorful carpets of Bikaner are a prime export product of Rajasthan. Locally known as durries, these carpets are commonly made with camel hairs to provide sufficient warmth during the chilly months of Rajasthan.
Meenakari on stones is an ancient practice of the craftsmen of Bikaner. Giving attractive look to the various jewelery items through Meenakari is perhaps one of the most common occupation of the local artisans of Bikaner.
Enriched with a wide gamut of interesting work of creative excellence, the art and craft of Bikaner truly symbolizes the mastery of the local craftsmen.
Bikaner Music
Bikaner Music symbolizes an awe-inspiring range of folk variations that have evolved in the place through various local communities. Taalbandi, which is also referred as Dangal, is a unique folk music of Bikaner. Poem recitation in melodic tunes is a special trait of the music of Bikaner. Jogis and Bhopas, who usually perform the folk music of Bikaner, are known to have an immense popularity in the remote villages.
Bikaner has an old heritage of music. There are several music communities that are present in the various corners of Bikaner from a very long time. The Jogis of Bikaner are one such community that are popular for singing the ballads of Gopi Chand, Shivji-ka-byawala, Bhartihari and Nihalde Sultan. These Jogis are often found in the inner corners of Bikaner reciting the various events of different religious characters.
The Bhopas of Bikaner are yet another interesting music community. The Bhopas are often seen wearing a particular type of costume and are better known as the singing priests. These Bhopas commonly express the excellence and power of the great Rajpur rulers and the ancient saints who once lived in Bikaner.
Langas, Manganiyarv, Dhadhies and Mirasis are some other fascinating communities of folk music in Bikaner that have collectively made the place a rich base of cultural ecstasy. In fact, the tradition of folk music, in Bikaner, has achieved such immense popularity that today it is counted as one of the integral alternative identities of the culture of Bikaner.
It can be said without any doubt that Bikaner music, with all its melodic synchronization, is a fabulous treat to the connoisseurs of performing arts of Rajasthan.
Utsa Art, a painting form, is regarded as one of the unique traits of the culture of Bikaner. Being done on the camel hide, Utsa art had been founded in Bikaner by the ancient ruler of the place Raja Rai Singh. Paintings and golden meenakari are the common variations of Utsa art in Bikaner.
Over the years the craftsmen of Bikaner became master of Utsa Art and today there are various examples of this creative form in the castles and forts of the place. The Junagarh fort is among many of those edifices in Bikaner where one can find a splendid work of Utsa Art by seven famous artists. Phool Mahal, Karan Palace, Chandra Palace and Anoop Palace are the main zones of Junagarh Fort in Bikaner where the visitors can see the exclusive glimpse of Utsa Art.
The Ajmer Dargah, Rampuria Havelis, Mazaar of Amir Khushro and Delhi Mizamudin Oliya in Junagarh Fort all of which bears the bright imprint of Utsa Art.
Hisam-ud-din Utsa is one of those famous figures of Bikaner who not only had a mastery over the Utsa art but also achieved nationwide recognition for his exemplary mastery. Mr. Javed Hasan, Mr. Iqubal, Hisam-ud-din Utsa, Mr. Ayub Utsa and Hanif Utsa are some of the other famous Utsa artists of Bikaner who are known for their outstanding expertise in the concerned domain.
From its founding years itself the Utsa Art has captivated the imagination of one and all and has became an inseparable part of the culture of Bikaner.
Last Updated on 08/1/2013
Bikaner Culture
