RHYTHM OF CAMEL DANCE: A CASE STUDY OF

RAJASTHAN

BY

SWETA CHAUHAN

SUBMITTED TO NIFT IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT

OF THE REQUIREMENT OF THE DEGREE OF

MASTERS OF DESIGN

DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN SPACE

FACULTY GUIDE: Dr. A.N BANDI

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION

TECHNOLOGY, MUMBAI

2015-2017

RHYTHM OF CAMEL DANCE: A CASE STUDY OF RAJASTHAN

SWETA CHAUHAN

M.DES

2015-2017

Submitted by Ms / Mr …………………. To NIFT in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree of Master in Design of the National Institute of Fashion Technology at

Mumbai and hereby certify that in the judgment of the following members of jury it is

worth of acceptance:-

Name Institute/Organization Signature & Date

REMARK:

SIGNATURE OF CC- DESIGN SPACE DATE:

DECLARATION

The work presented in this project titled ” RHYTHM OF CAMEL DANCE : A CASE

STUDY OF RAJASTHAN” is authentic and original and is the outcome of my

contribution of research in my final year dissertation thesis. The project was carried out

under the guidance of Mr. A.N Bandi at Post Graduation Department of Design Space

(PGDS), National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai.

No portion of this work has been submitted in support of an application for another

degree or qualification to NIFT or any other University or Professional Organization.

SWETA CHAUHAN

In my capacity as supervisor of the candidate’s thesis, I certify that the above

statements are true to the best of my knowledge.

Dr. A.N BANDI

MASTER OF DESIGN

ABSTRACT

Rajasthan has artistic and cultural traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way of life.

There is a rich and varied folk culture forms originated from villages are often depict as

symbolic of the state of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan had a glorious history. It is known for many brave kings, their deeds; and

their interest in art and architecture. Its name means “the land of the rajas”. It was also

called Rajputana (the country of the Rajputs); whose codes of chivalry shaped social

mores just as their often bitter and protracted feuding dominated their politics.

Rajasthan, the land of Kings, has royal grandeur and a glorious history; it is a charming

and captivating state of India. The different festivals has their unique richness; animal

decoration and dance of camel, elephant and horse and folk performance held in the

festivals which makes the culturally importance of Rajasthan. This historical state of

India attracts tourists and vacationers with its rich culture, tradition, heritage, and

monuments. It is also rich in its flora and fauna with some of popular wildlife sanctuaries

& national parks.

The Camel Dance is exclusively dedicated to the ship of the desert- the camel, which is

an important source of transport and livelihood in the state of Rajasthan. This festival is

celebrated each year and is very significant to the people of Rajasthan because in early

times there were no automobiles and then camels were the only source of transport.

The interesting highlights of the festivals are: camel races, camel milking, and fur cutting

design, best breed competition, camel brands, traditional folk dance and music. With

music and dance performances, food, crafts display and lot more, this festival is one of

the most energetic and colorful ones in the Rajasthan. It is an event of trading of

animals and approximately 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses are traded every year in

this fair. The animals lavishly decorated and even their owners dress up wearing

colorful turbans and long moustaches. Other trading in the Nagaur Fair in Jodhpur, India

consists of sheep to Marwari horses to spices. Some other attractions include the Mirchi

bazaar (largest red-chilly market of India), wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather

accessories. The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the slightest

direction of their trainers. Bridal, bridles, bejeweled necks, jingling anklets and long,

lanky camel shadows on dusky sands cast a magical spell. Hundreds of tourists and

thousands of locals and dignitaries revel in this man-and-animal affair organized

especially for the tourists.

It is observed that, the evenings close with a different tenor and tempo altogether: a

traditional rendezvous of renowned artistes of Rajasthan and the local folk performers.

The jubilant skirt-swirling dancers, the awe inspiring fire dance, and the dazzling

fireworks light up the fortified desert.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am grateful to NIFT for providing me an opportunity to do my dissertation on ‘Rhythm

of Camel Dance: A case study of Rajasthan’. I would like to thank my Center Co-

coordinator Ms. Rashmi Gulati and my mentor Dr. A.N Bandi for giving me support

throughout my research work.

I will be failing in my duty if I do not mention the name of other faculty members Ms .

Reena Agarwal, Ms. Rupa Agarwal, Mr. Nittin Kulkarni Ms. Disha Gupta, Dr. A.N Bandi

and Dr. Ajit Khare for their help throughout my dissertation.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my family, friends and the Almighty for helping

me to bring out the best in this dissertation.

SWETA CHAUHAN

Master of Design, PGDS

NIFT Mumbai

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sr. No. PARTICULARS Pg. No.

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 2

1.2 NEED OF RESEARCH 3

1.3 OBJECTIVE 3

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE 3

Chapter 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 4

2.1 IMPORTANCE OF CAMEL 5

2.2 MYTHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF CAMEL 6

2.3 CAMEL DANCE ON DHOL BEATS 7

2.4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND 8

2.5 INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT 8

2.6 CAMEL OF FESTIVALS 9

2.7 BY- PRODUCTS OF CAMEL 11

Chapter 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 15

3.1 RESEARCH PROCESS 16

3.2 RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

17

Chapter 4 ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS 18

4.1 CAMEL DANCE 18

4.1.1 INTRODUCTION 18

4.1.2 ETYMOLOGY 18

4.1.3 HISTORY AND EVOLUTION 18

4.1.4 CAMEL FUR DESIGN 20

4.1.5 HAIR CUT TOOLS 21

4.1.6 CAMEL DECORATION MATERIALS 22

4.1.7 CAMEL SEAT 30

4.1.8 CAMEL DECORATION 30

4.1.9 CURRENT SCENARIO 31

4.1.10 CAMEL DANCE LOCAL WORDS 32

4.1.11 CAMEL DIFFERENT STEPS 34

4.1.12 INFLUENCE OF CAMEL DANCE IN ANOTHER

AREA

39

Chapter 5 SEMIOTICS 40

5.1 BLACK DOT ON CAMEL 41

Chapter 6 CONCLUSION 42

6.1 CONCLUSION 42

6.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES 43

Chapter 7 REFERENCES 44

Chapter 9 GLOSSARY 46

TABLE OF FIGURES

Sr. No. TITLE Pg. No.

FIG: 1 CAMEL OWNER 3

FIG: 2 CAMEL IN MELA 3

FIG: 3 CAMEL DANCE IN NAGAUR 5

FIG: 4 CAMEL DANCE IN JAISALMER 5

FIG: 5 MUSICIAN- GAWALE 7

FIG: 6 CAMEL IN JAISALMER 10

FIG: 7 CAMEL FUR 12

FIG: 8 EARLIER CAMEL BAGGI 19

FIG: 9 CAMEL IN WAR 19

FIG: 10 RAJPUT CAMEL 19

FIG: 11 GEOMETRIC MOTIF 20

FIG: 12 BIRDS AND LEAVES MOTIF 20

FIG: 13 CHAKRA MOTIF 20

FIG: 14 SHIVA MOTIF 20

FIG: 15 SNAKE MOTIF 20

FIG: 16 VARIOUS MOTIF 21

FIG: 17 TOOLS 21

FIG: 18 GORBANDH 22

FIG: 19 UPPER CLOTH OF CAMEL 22

FIG: 20 UPPER CLOTH 23

FIG: 21 UPPER CLOTH 23

FIG: 22 HEAD EYE ORNAMENTATION 24

FIG: 23 NECK ORNAMENTATION 24

FIG: 24 DECORATION MATERIAL 24

FIG: 25 VARIOUS SIMPLIFIED GIRTHS AVAILABLE IN

MARKET

25

FIG: 26 NOW CAMEL REIGN IS MADE IN SIMPLISTIC WAY AS IT IS MADE WITH THE USE OF THREADS AND COLORED POMPOMS, EARLIER IT WAS ALSO MADE WITH PLY SPLIT BRAIDING.

25

FIG: 27 GORBANDH ITS DETAILING 26

FIG: 28 HAIR FUR CUTTING 27

FIG: 29 CAMEL DECORATION 27

FIG: 30 CAMEL GIRTH 28

FIG: 31 KNEE ORNAMENTATION 29

FIG: 32 NECK HANGING ORNAMENTATION 29

FIG: 33 FACE DECORATION 30

FIG: 34 NECK DECORATION 30

FIG: 35 CAMEL IN MARRIAGE 1980’S 31

FIG: 36 CAMEL IN MARRIAGE 1990’S 31

FIG: 37 CAMEL DANCE IN MARRIAGE 31

FIG: 38 YE RISTA KYA KHELATA HAI 31

FIG: 39-47 CAMEL DANCE LOCAL WORDS 32

FIG: 48 DO KHAAT STEP 34

FIG: 49 NECK, LEG & LAYING DOWN STEP 35

FIG: 50 TIN KHAAT STEP 36

FIG: 51 LEGS MOVE 37

FIG: 52 CAMEL FOOT STEP 38

FIG: 53 CAMEL DECORATION IN ORISSA 39

FIG: 54 DIFFERENT CAMEL SADDLE 39

FIG: 55 BLACK CHAKRA 40

FIG: 56 FRONT BLACK DOT 40

CHAPTER 1

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.2 NEED OF THE STUDY

1.3 OBJECTIVE

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE

Chapter 1

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

Rajasthan has artistic and cultural traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way of life.

There is a rich and varied folk culture forms originated from villages are often depict as

symbolic of the state of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan had a glorious history. It is known for many brave kings, their deeds; and

their interest in art and architecture. Its name means “the land of the rajas”. It was also

called Rajputana (the country of the Rajputs); whose codes of chivalry shaped social

mores just as their often bitter and protracted feuding dominated their politics.

Rajasthan, the land of Kings, has royal grandeur and a glorious history; it is a charming

and captivating state of India. The different festivals has their unique richness; animal

decoration and dance of camel, elephant and horse and folk performance held in the

festivals which makes the culturally importance of Rajasthan. This historical state of

India attracts tourists and vacationers with its rich culture, tradition, heritage, and

monuments. It is also rich in its flora and fauna with some of popular wildlife sanctuaries

& national parks.

The Camel Dance is exclusively dedicated to the ship of the desert- the camel, which is

an important source of transport and livelihood in the state of Rajasthan. This festival is

celebrated each year and is very significant to the people of Rajasthan because in early

times there were no automobiles and then camels were the only source of transport.

The interesting highlights of the festivals are: camel races, camel milking, and fur cutting

design, best breed competition, camel brands, traditional folk dance and music. With

music and dance performances, food, crafts display and lot more, this festival is one of

the most energetic and colorful ones in the Rajasthan.It is an event of trading of animals

and approximately 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses are traded every year in this fair.

The animals lavishly decorated and even their owners dress up wearing colorful turbans

and long moustaches. Other trading in the Nagaur Fair in Jodhpur, India consists of

sheep to Marwari horses to spices. Some other attractions include the Mirchi bazaar

(largest red-chilly market of India), wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather

accessories.The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the slightest

direction of their trainers. Bridal, bridles, bejeweled necks, jingling anklets and long,

lanky camel shadows on dusky sands cast a magical spell. Hundreds of tourists and

thousands of locals and dignitaries revel in this man-and-animal affair organized

especially for the tourists.

It is observed that, the evenings close with a different tenor and tempo altogether: a

traditional rendezvous of renowned artistes of Rajasthan and the local folk performers.

The jubilant skirt-swirling dancers, the awe inspiring fire dance, and the dazzling

fireworks light up the fortified desert.

Fig : 1 Fig : 2

Camel Owner Camel in Mela

1.2 NEED OF THE STUDY

Camel dance being a celebrated cultural activity of Rajasthan, the researcher intended

to captured the data while present herself during the camel dance events. Accordingly,

it is felt that the topic chosen will be of immense importance to explore the tools and

techniques the art and its attributes so also the cultural importance attached to camel

dance.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the present study is to explore the importance of camel Dance

and its cultural and historic importance. As such the following are the aims of the study.

• To Study and Understand the Rajasthan Rituals.

• To gain insight in to the evolution and semiotics related to Camel Dance, beliefs

etc.

• To explore the significance of ornamentation and trimming of the animal.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE

A precise document about the camel dance, construction, evolution, patterns and

semiotics. Preservation of a folk and traditional knowledge.

CHAPTER 2

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 IMPORTANCE OF CAMEL

2.2 MYTHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF CAMEL

2.3 CAMEL DANCES ON DHOL BEATS

2.4 SOCIO – ECONOMIC BACKGROUND

2.5 INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT

2.6 CAMEL FESTIVALS

2.7 BY- PRODUCTS OF CAMEL

2.1 Importance of Camel

The camel is synonym of Rajasthan and is an inextricable part of the identity of this

desert state. Historically, this animal was essential for the development of the Thar

Desert. Without the camel, settlement, transportation, trade and communication would

not have been possible. The role of the camel for the rural population is expressed in

the local proverb “Marry me into a village with many camels”. The rulers of the desert

kingdoms all maintained camel mounted armies. Without camels, Jaisalmer could never

have developed as a trade Centre, and its famous architecture would not be there.

The Rajasthan Tourism Department has a camel as its logo and for the Incredible India

campaign romantic images of camels with their keepers among sand dunes were

frequently deployed. The Rajasthan Tourism Department also organizes a Camel

Festival and various camel related shows – camel races, camel dancing, and camel

polo - define the programs of the Desert Festival in Jaisalmer as well as the Marwar

Festival in Jodhpur.

Fig : 3 Fig : 4

Camel Dance in Nagaur Camel Dance in Jaisalmer

The one-humped camel is a domestic animal that has been developed exclusively by

traditional societies and is a product of indigenous knowledge about animal breeding

and husbandry. Once symbolic of Rajasthan’s age-old traditions and culture, the camel

is now rapidly losing ground and has been experiencing a steep population decline in

recent years. This development can be attributed mainly to policies giving preference to

irrigated agriculture instead of water-conserving land-use practices attuned to the local

ecology. It is a trend that has grave implications for the sustainable use of Rajasthan’s

arid lands and its resilience to drought, as well as several hundred thousand families

below the poverty line.

The people most closely associated with the camel in Rajasthan are the Raika, who

earlier took care of the camel breeding-herds of the Maharajas. Originally the Raika

acted as guardians of the camels and never sold female camels outside the community,

as well as abhorring the idea of selling camels for meat. But due to ever increasing

pressure, these social mechanisms and cultural beliefs are now breaking down.

2.2 Mythological Importance of Camel

According to the First Myth, There are many mythologies behind the camel in various

purans and folk tales. According to the Markandeyta purana, the camel is said to be the

inferior species since it was born out of the feet of Brahma. Lord Virupaksha (an

incarnation of Lord Shiva) rides on his carrier, which is a camel

(Mahamohastaivoshtraha Katithasthasya Vahanaha) which is said in the

Visudharamottara Purana.

Ushtravahini Devi or Untadevi, the female deity riding the camel is worshipped in some

parts of India, especially in Rajasthan and she is in fact the family deity for the Puskarna

Brahmins living in Rajasthan, Saanda Mata, whose carrier is also a camel, is

worshipped by most of the tribal people of Udaipur.

According to second myth, the camel was created by Lord Shiva at the behest of his

consort Parvati. Parvatishaped a strange five-legged animal from clay and asked Shiva

to blow life into it. At first Shiva refused, saying that the misshapen animal will not fare

well in the world, but later gave in. He folded the animal’s fifth leg over its back giving it

a hump, and commanded it to get up, “uth”. That is how the animal got its name. The

camel then needed someone to look after it, so Shiva rolled off a bit of skin and dust

from his arm and made out of this the first Raika. Historically, the Raika of Rajasthan

have had a unique and enduring relationship with camels. Their entire existence

revolves around looking after the needs of these animals which, in turn, provide them

with sustenance, wealth and companionship.

According to the third Myth, in the beginning of time, when the world is new, there is a

Camel. The Camel is very lazy and he sits in the middle of the Howling Dessert, eating

prickles and milkweeds. When anyone speaks to the Camel he responds with, “Humph”.

On Monday, the Horse comes and asks the Camel to help trot. The Camel replies,

“Humph”. The Horse goes away and tells the Man. On Tuesday, the Dog comes and

asks the Camel to help fetch and carry. The Camel responds, “Humph”. The Dog goes

away and tells the Man. On Wednesday, the Ox comes and asks the Camel to help

plough. The Camel states, “Humph”. The Ox goes away and tells the Man. At the end of

the day, the Man calls the three animals together. The Man says that since the Camel

will not work, they will have to do extra work to make up for him. This makes the Three

very angry, and they talk and complain about the Camel.

In rolls a Djinn, the man in charge of All Deserts, and he confers with the Three. They

ask if it is alright for someone to be so lazy and not work. The Djinn, of course, says it is

not.

The Djinn heads to the middle of the desert where the Camel is ogling his reflection.

The Djinn asks the Camel why he is not doing any work and the Camel responds,

“Humph”. The Djinn tells the Camel that since he has chosen not to work, he has given

the three extra work. The Camel says, “Humph”. The Djinn warns the Camel that if he

says ‘humph’ again, something bad may happen. As soon as the Camel responds with

“humph” again, and a huge hump grows on the back of the Camel!

The Djinn tells the Camel that is his very own hump, brought on by his selfishness and

lack of activity. The Djinn says the Camel has to work, and the Camel asks how he can

work with a giant hump on his back. The Djinn explains that the hump will hold enough

fuel for him to be able to work for three days without eating.

The Camel goes to join the Three, and from that day always has a hump. The Camel

has yet to catch up with the work he missed in the beginning of time, and he has not yet

learned how to behave.

Camel as a symbol in various religions

In India, camels are seen as a symbol of humbleness, willingness to serve and bear

other’s burden. In Egypt camels are the symbol of Lord Allah who makes the survive in

the hot deserts. The Christians in Jerusalem depict camel as a symbol of wealth, since

it helps nomads and the merchants for transportation in desserts.

2.3 Camel Dances on Dhol Beats

The camel with pretty flowers and other bright accoutrements, then entreated them to

perform a fun little two-step, front legs pumping out a steady and delicate rhythm. It was

a spectacle both beautiful and indescribably weird.

Most songs and music beats simply want to make you happy or sad. But some are boun

d to do more. Same is the case here as a sacrificial animal enchantsaudience with a rhy

thmic dance on dhol beats.

Once the dhol beat began, the owner gave a signal to camel that stood in a minute to p

erform

the dance on it. The crowd cheered the dance joyfully.

This desert animal's dance is one of the major attractions for the residents of the area. T

he owner of the sacrificial animal can also be heard reciting.

Camel dance is famous all over the world as well as it is a very hardworking job to train

a camel in such a good way that it can dance on a dhol beat.

Fig : 5

Musician – Gawale -in hindi

2.4 Socio-economic background

In Rajasthan, several hundred and thousand families below the poverty line depend on

camels for their living. These include

An estimated 20,000 families who own herds of female camels and make a living

from selling the young animals. Some Raika families (in Mewar, Malva and

Godwar) generate additional income by selling camel milk, alleviating the chronic

milk shortages typical of many rural areas.

An estimated 200,000 people and their families who own a male working camel

plus cart and make their living from providing short- and medium-distance

transportation in large cities, in remote desert areas and in the hilly areas of the

Aravalli range.

Entire villages in the Thar Desert depend on a camel to lift water from deep wells.

Artisans from lower castes receive income from the processing of camel

products. Although poorly documented, these secondary industries include

leather and bone work. Camel bone has replaced ivory and is used to make

jewelry and other elaborately decorated objects popular with tourists.

The people of the Raika community are closely associated with the camel in Rajasthan,

representing the traditional caretakers of the camel breeding herds (tolas) of the

Maharajahs. Other communities breeding camels include Rajput, Muslim, Charan,

Bishnoi, Gujjar, and Jat. The camel breeding system varies according to agro-ecological

zone. In the most western districts (Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer), camels range freely

during most of the year and are herded and supervised only during the rainy season.

The owners remain settled in the villages. In central Rajasthan, where crop cultivation is

practised, camel herds require supervised herding throughout the year and therefore

some degree of nomadism by their owners. Some large herds in Pali district are almost

continuously on the move. In some pockets of Rajasthan, camels may also be kept in

zero-grazing systems, although not usually for breeding.

The young male camels are sold at one of the livestock fairs, which take place in

Pushkar, Nagaur, Balotra, and other places. Very young camels that cannot yet be used

for work are often purchased by Minas and Bhats who will later sell them to the end

users.

2.5 Institutional context

Camels currently represent a typical orphan commodity. No one (be it a public

institution, government or non-government agency) feels responsible for its survival.

The Department of Animal Husbandry of Rajasthan focuses on cattle and buffaloes.

The National Research Centre on Camel in Bikaner is entirely research-oriented and

does not involve itself in policymaking. Conservation agencies and the Forest

Department seem mainly interested in wildlife and often antagonistic towards camels,

deeming them a threat to the vegetation.

If we seriously intend to save the camel, this situation has to change. The crisis needs

to be acknowledged, discussed and acted upon at the highest level. It has to become a

priority issue for the government and a question of regional pride to maintain camels in

reasonable numbers. A multi-pronged approach involving various government

departments in combination with policy changes is needed to address the main

problems.

2.6 Camel Festivals

There are animal fairs, there are religious fairs and fairs to mark the changing seasons.

In fact, celebrations occur almost round the year and are a splendid opportunity for the

visitor to experience festivals which involve elephants, camel races, dances and music

have been specially organised for the tourists. Among the better known fairs of

Rajasthan are:

Calendar of Camel fest

A lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival is organised by the Department of

Tourism, Art &Culture, and Camel Festival Rajasthan in Bikaner every year. January is

just the right month for a desert spree, and Bikaner just the right place to see the Ships

of the Desert. In the camel country Bikaner, these desert leviathans pull heavy cart

loads, transport grain and even work at the wells.

The Camel Festival begins with a colourful procession of bedecked camels against the

red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort, the festivity advances to the open sand-

spreads of the grounds, followed by the best breed competition, the tug-of-war contest,

camel dance and acrobatics, etc.

The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction of

their trainers. Bridal, bridles, bejewelled necks, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel

shadows on dusky sands cast a magical spell. Hundreds of tourists and thousands of

locals and dignitaries revel in this man-and-animal affair organised especially for the

tourists.

The evenings close with a different tenor and tempo altogether: a traditional rendezvous

of renowned artistes of Rajasthan and the local folk performers. The jubilant skirt-

swirling dancers, the awe inspiring fire dance, and the dazzling fireworks light up the

fortified desert city of Bikaner. Bikaner is connected by rail and road with all the major

cities. The nearest airport is at Jodhpur (243 kms.).

Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.): Essentially an animal fair, it provides an opportunity to

participate in some of the local sports.

Nagaur Fair is one of the largest cattle fair in the country, held annually between late

January and early February. Situated half way between Bikaner and Jodhpur, Nagaur

awakens with the thronging of cattle, horses and camels accompanied by their

colourfully turbaned owners. There are about 25,000 camels on display as well as a

large number of horses and cattle.

The fair is renowned for trading in cows, bullocks, camels and horses. People come

from hundreds of miles away to buy and sell. There is earnest bargaining between

owners and buyers, and plenty of fun and festivity.

The camels are very highly prized and their owners take meticulous care of them. The

bullocks of Nagaur are renowned for their fitness and attract a large number of buyers.

There are horse and camel races as well as dancing and singing.

Mirchi Bazaar (Red Chilly Market) is the main attraction and wooden items, iron crafts

and leather accessories as well as local handicrafts, cloth and jewellery are available for

sale during the fair. Various games organised during this four day festival like tug-of-

war, camel races, horse races, cock fights, bull- fights etc. provide entertainment to the

tourists and visitors. In the evening, there are performances by folk musicians and

dancers. The RTDC puts up a Tourist Village to provide accommodation for the tourists

visiting Nagaur during the fair.

Fig : 6

Camel in Jaisalmer

Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.): One of the most popular of all festivals it is a

journey into the heart of the desert, the golden city of Jaisalmer that has a charm of its

own. A true show on the sands which attracts even the much-travelled visitor.

Baneshwar Fair, Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.): A religious festival with simple and traditional

rituals. This fair is the centre of attraction of a large number of a larger number of tribal

from the neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who join their brethren

from Rajasthan in offering prayers to Lord Shiva.

Gangaur, Jaipur (March-April): A festival devoted to Goddess Paravati, the consort of

Lord Shiva. It is time for young girls to dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of

their choice while the married women pray for the well-being of their husbands. This 18-

days festival is laces with various activities and culminates in a grand procession

marking the arrival of Shiva to escort his bride home.

Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November): The well-know and marked with largest participation

of all the festivals of Rajasthan, pushkar is an important pilgrimage as well as the venue

of a mammoth cattle fair. Bazaars, auctions, music and sports are highlight of this

event.The famous pushkar Fair is a great attraction. People from around the globe

come to the ancient religious town of Pushkar, which is transformed, into a spectacular

fair ground in the month of Kartik. People bathe, worship and delight in the dazzling

wares of roadside stalls. Camels are bought, sold, beautified, raced and parade. Most

unusual are the small groups of men and women seen busy tattooing their hands and

other parts of the body.

The fair is predominantly a rural gathering. Villagers come from different parts of the

state and bring their cattle with them. On spectacular sand dunes camel, horse and

bullock races are great crowd pullers. All roads lead to the lake, which is flooded with

pilgrims. The movement of the crowd is like a tide of colour with currents of crimson,

yellow and turquoise.

Evenings at the pushkar Fair have their own charm. The silent night is pierced by calls

of camels. Actors in passionate tones sing ballads. Folk dramas, skits and folk dance

are organized for the entertainment of the tourists

Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March-April): A festival to welcome the spring season. There

is song, dance, processions, devotional music and fireworks where almost everybody

participates. Elephant Festival, Jaipur (March-April): A festival to celebrate Holi, this is

a great occasion for the visitor to watch several elephant sports and also play this

festival of colours. A show is organised with the elephants turning out in their best

finery. Summer Festival, Mt. Abu (June): Organised in the only hill station of Rajasthan,

this is the coldest places at this time of the year. Folk dances and a general atmosphere

of gaiety prevails in this tiny hills resort and the tourist has ample time to relax and enjoy

himself.

2.7 By-Products of camel

2.7.1 Camel Hair

Amazing Camel Hair Art at Camel Festival

Camel hair artwork can up to three years to create. For the first two years, the hair is

grown, trimmed and prepped. For competitions, the hair is then trimmed into intricate

patterns and dyed for the dramatic effect .Motifs based of Shiva stories.

Fig : 7

Camel fur

These include the people who do not own camels, but whose livelihood depends on

processing of camel products. Potential examples are camel wool spinners and

weavers, camel dung paper makers, camel leather processors, camel soap makers and

many others.

2.7.2 Camel Wool

Indian camels produce an average of 0.6 kg of wool per year. Camel wool is traditionally

harvested at the time of Holi, is separated by color and fineness, then handspun by

camel breeders men with a drop spindle. Some of the spun yarn, they process by

themselves to fashion ropes (especially the ropes needed for handling and tying down

the camels), tobacco pouches. But most of the wool is given to the Meghwal community

on contract basis for weaving rugs and blankets. The wool is also used for stringing

charpoys and earlier was made into jackets, but this practice has declined.

There are no attempts to strategies either by the institute or the corporative society to

regularize the marketing of camel wool .There ever been any attempts to develop new

products that would be of interest to urban consumers. It was assumed that the wool of

the one-humped camel was too coarse and too short to produce appealing products.

However, recent experiments with camel wool samples initiated by the project in

Jaisalmer and conducted by MITAN Ltd. in Kullu have had exciting results. Scientific

analysis of two samples indicates a great degree of variation in fiber thickness, and a

significant proportion of high quality fine wool. One of the samples had an average

thickness of 23 micron, but with the majority of fibers being in the 17-20 micron range,

which is equivalent to Cashmere quality. The length of the fiber was 5.9 cm in this

sample.

Sample 2 had an average fiber thickness of 26 micron and an average length of 5.4 cm.

The conclusion from these tests is that camel wool needs to be separated by fiber

quality, with some of the fine wool being suitable for soft and high-quality garments, and

the coarser section providing opportunities for manufacturing bags and carpets.

2.7.3 Camel dung paper

The dung paper made out of camel dung termed to be most precious paper on earth.

Regular paper is made from monocultures of trees grown in huge monocultures that are

cut to make the pulp. Camels eat the leaves and pods of around 32 wild species, digest

them, and the resultant dung can be used to produce a rough and unique type of paper

that simplifies biological diversity.

In 2008, the first camel dung paper was created in a collaborative effort between a

Delhi-based hand paper designer and distributor, a hand paper unit in Jaipur and LPPS.

Objects made from camel dung include greeting cards, diaries, and bookmarks. They

have proven a major success with tourists at the Pushkar fair as well as at Delhi’s

Nature Bazaar.

The real marketing opportunity for camel dung paper would probably be for shopping

bags and as packing material for environment conscious high-end luxury item producers

and the product should be marketed accordingly.

2.7.4 Camel leather

Objects made of camel leather are craved by tourists because of their exotic flair.

However, the vast majority of items sold as camel leather is actually made of goat or

buffalo leather. The reason for this is that the leather processing castes are no longer

removing the skins from camels that have died and are leaving them to rot, for social

reasons. Hence there is no skin collection from camels that die in Rajasthan.

Popular so-called camel leather products include bags and mochris, as well as diaries

with camel leather covers that are for sale in Udaipur.

In order to make genuine camel leather items available, there would need to be a camel

leather processing facility set up in Rajasthan, and a trademark for genuine camel

leather would need to be developed.

2.7.5 Camel Bone

According to the Pro. SANGITA N. BAKOTRA; Camel bone is used as a substitute for

ivory. It is made into elaborately carved objects that are marketed in outlets for tourists

and the high-income sector, for instance shops in Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort. In

Udaipur there are several artisan workshops that use camel bone for making inlaid

furniture, mirrors, and other handicraft items. However these artisans apparently obtain

their bone supply from Uttar Pradesh.

2.7. 6 Camel Cosmetic

According to the Prof. SANGITA N. BAKOTRA; in other countries, such as the US,

Israel, and Australia, various skin creams as well as soaps based on camel milk are on

the market. This is another option that could also be tried in Rajasthan.

CHAPTER 3

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 RESEARCH PROCESS

3.2 RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.1 RESEARCH PROCESS

Rhythm Of Camel Dance: A Case Study Of Rajasthan

DOMAIN

Secondary Research

Primary Research

Research Methodology

(Multiple Research Tools)

Survey Questionnaire Interview

3.2 RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

Type : Case Study

This research is a case study. A case study is a research method common in social

science. It is based on an in- depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event.

Case studies may be descriptive or explanatory. The latter type is used to explore

causation in order to find underlying principles. They may be prospective, in which

criteria are established and cases fitting the criteria are included as they become

available, or retrospective, in which criteria are established for selecting cases from

historical records for inclusion in the study.

3.2.1. Secondary data

Aim:

To collect and analyze the data available from library, internet and articles related to

Camel Dance.

Central Library, CST, Mumbai

NIFT, Mumbai

Central cottage Industries Emporium, CST , Mumbai

3.2.2 Primary data

Aim:

To gain more information about the evolution, transition, semiotics related to it, beliefs

etc.

Tools used:

Observation

Observation and recording research methodology has been adopted to record

the findings through on going processes of Camel Dance. This is been done

to achieve the following:

1. To know and understand the tools and techniques used for camel decorations.

2. To visualize the semiotics in the ornamentation this is done on the camel.

CHAPTER 4

4. ANALYSIS

4.1 Camel Dance

4.1.1 Introduction

Camel is known as the ship of the desert, and it has a respectable position in the

social and cultural life of the people of Rajasthan. Without camel Rajasthan cannot be

imagined. Symbolic of strength and beauty, camels are Important part of desert life of

Rajasthan. Bikaner city has the only camel breeding Centre of India and it is the largest

in Asia. Rajasthan has artistic and cultural traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way

of life. There is a rich and varied folk culture from villages which is often depicted as

symbolic of the state. The camel, which is an important source of transport and

livelihood in the state of Rajasthan. This festival is celebrated each year and is very

significant to the people of Rajasthan because in early times there were no automobiles

and then camels were the only source of transport. The interesting highlights of the

festivals are: camel races, camel milking, and fur cutting design, best breed competition,

camel brands, traditional folk dance and music. With music and dance performances,

food, crafts display and lot more, this festival is one of the most energetic and colorful

ones in the Rajasthan.

4.1.2 Etymology

The first mention of the name "Rajasthan" appears in the 1829

publication Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan or the Central and Western

Rajpoot States of India, while the earliest known record of "Rajputana" as a

name for the region is in George Thomas's 1800 memoir Military Memories. John

Keay, in his book India: A History, stated that "Rajputana" was coined by the

British in 1829, John Briggs, translating Ferishta's history of early Islamic India,

used the phrase "Rajpoot (Rajput) princes" rather than "Indian princes". Camel

used by Rajputs from the ancient times. Camel used for the transportation,

entertainment and races.

4.1.3 History and Evolution

“Historically it is known that Rajasthan is the land of kings and courts and being

a desert land it is supplemented with a lot of bright colors in every part of life.”

The camel, since its domestication, 6000 years ago has mainly had a utilitarian

role and man has always maintained emotional and symbolical links with him and

to service he provides to the men of desert.

Fig: 8 Fig: 9

Earlier camel Baggi Camel in War

Fig: 10

Rajput Camel

This attraction has lasted until present time for various easons.”(IIse Kohler-Rollefson,

Jhon Morten Pastoralism in India- a scoping study).A demographics decline has been

observed in the population of camels due to the feed resources affects the health of

camel herd which ultimately leads to the early calf mortality and poor reproductive

efficiency. Camel getting poor nutrition are also susceptible to the disease whereas

there is a limited availability of prophylactic health care facilities and medicines in the

villages of camel keepers. Scine there is no organized market for the sale of camel milk,

fiber, skin and bone products, so it is discourging camel farming among traditional

herder communities.There is a diminishing demand of these animals for work due to the

widespread use of mechanized vehicles like tractors and trucks. Lack of encouragement

and moral support for the Raikas have also contributed to the decline of camel breeding

in the rural areas. India had the world’s third largest camel population but decline of

almost 50% has been observed in the last decade. It is likely to affect the thousands of

families living below poverty line that had made camels as their source of income and

substance.

4.1.4 Camel Fur Design

In many different and diversified regions of the world, different camel keepers

communities have different culture related to camel. In Indo-Pak subcontinent camel

hair cut to design art of the natural beauty is unique of its kind. The pastoralists clip their

camel hair in a way that a very attractive piece of art is appear on its body. There is

culture of clipping contest in this regard. Here is a picture from the Raika pastoralists

and one can see the beauty of art and the pastoralists’ theme behind it. strange

creations from around the world, you will be impressed by this camel hair art.

Fig: 11 Fig: 12 Fig: 13

Geometric Flower Motif Birds and Leaves Motif Chakra Motif

The Bikaner Camel Festival is a yearly event that takes place on the border of Pakistan

and India where people race camels. But these camels are anything but shabby. Their

coats have been shaved and trimmed into elaborate and beautiful patterns.

Camel hair art at The Bikaner Camel Festival can take up to three years to complete.

Fig : 14 Fig : 15

Shiva Motif Snake Motif

The camels must be kept clean and their fur must be regularly tended to in order to

achieve this majestic effect. The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to

the slightest direction of their.

Fig : 16

Various Motifs

Bridles, bejeweled neck, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel shadows on dusky

sands cast a magical spell. There is lots of motifs on camel body which relate to lord

shiva’s and lord Krishna’s stories.

4.1.5 Hair Cut Tools

Fig: 17

Tools

4.1.6 Camel decoration Materials

In Rajasthan camel is treated in a special way, his animal is also used as the medium

of entertainment as well as the conventional use of loading and mode of travelling. This

animals is vastly decorated durning different occasions and in parades in various fairs.

Some items like gorbandh, lum, jul, knee ornamentation, neck hanging ornamentation,

girth or saddle, presently upper cloth is also got simplified and latkans are used (that

are made of cloth, threads and conventional or unconventional material) to decorate;

even some special type of hair cutting art is used to decorate them (incidents of

Ramayana and Mahabharata ) are used.

Fig : 18

Gorbandh

Fig: 19

Upper Cloth Of Camel

Fig: 20

Upper Cloth

Upper cloth ( Jul/ Ralli) is made out of bits and pieces of cloth and with

The help of pieces of cloth and with the help of applique and embroidery

and a number of layering is used to make it like a cushion feel, it is constru-

ted for the daily usage to cover the camel’s upper part.

Fig: 21

Upper Cloth

Fig: 22 Fig: 23

Head Eye Ornamentation Neck Ornamentation

Fig : 24

Decoration Material

Fig : 25

Various simplified girths available in market

Fig : 26

Now camel reign is made in simplistic way as

it is made with the use of threads and colored

pompoms, earlier it was also made with ply

split braiding.

Fig: 27

Gorbandh & Its Detailing

Fig : 28

Hair fur cutting

Man had a special emphasis for the decoration for their pets from the very

beginning and camel in Rajasthan had been a part of a special trade to decorate

them.

Fig: 29

Camel Decoration

Camel girth or saddle

Fig : 30

Camel Girth

Fig: 31

Knee Ornamentation

Fig : 32

Neck Hanging Ornamentation

4.1.7 Camel seat

In local language the camel seat called as “ Kathi”, “Pakra” and Palaan i.e Saddle. Belt

used to hold the saddle even the cushion made to keep on saddle i.e made by from

camel fur.

4.1.8 Camel decoration

Presently upper cloth is also got simplified. Even for the showcase of camel articles in

camel museum, the simplified upper- cloth is kept for tourist, only modern types of motif

or geometrical pattern is used.

Upper cloth ( jul/ Ralli) is made out of bits and pieces of cloth and with the help of

applique and embroidery and a number of layering is used to make it like a cushion feel,

it is constructed for the daily usage to cover the camel’s supper part.

Fig: 33 Fig : 34

Face Decoration Neck Decoration

As far as Gorbandh is considered it is used in the camel neck. Like the camel it is again

made through ply split braiding, but mostly it is made with cotton threads not with goat

or camel hairs. A very beautiful color combination is used in these that is very much

applicable with the color story of camel decoration. On the otherhand saddles are also

made of cotton threads which are twisted and weaved as ply split braiding. These are

with very bright color combination like yellow, green, red and white and very playfully

used.

4.1.9 Current scenario

Fig: 35 Fig: 36

Camel in Marriage 1980’s Camel in Marriage 1990’s

Fig: 37

Camel Dance in Marriage

Fig : 38

Ye Rista kya khelata hai

4.1.10 Camel Dance Local Words

Fig: 39 Camel Seat- Kathi

Fig: 40 Fig: 41

Walk - Chal Sit down - Jai

Fig: 42

Stand - up – Khade

Fig: 43 Fig: 44

sidhi rassi – Ulti rassi-

to move left leg- to move right leg-

move neck towards left move neck towards right

Fig: 45 Fig: 46

Ku – Jumping Kuchii, JIn- Camel seat

Fig: 47

Sapat- Camel back seat only using in time of camel race

4.1.11 Camel Dance different steps

(a)

Fig : 48

Do Khaat Step

Trainer Name:- Hanuman

Camel Owner Name:- Ram Dev Rao

Camel Name:- Ramu

Village: Odwanna (Rajathan)

Camel age:- 3 yrs

Camel trained from 1 year & camel from generation to generation – 5 generation

(b)

Fig : 49

Neck, Legs & Laying down Step

Trainer Name:- Hanuman Ji

Camel Owner Name:- Parbu Chowdary

Camel Name:- Rajesh

Village: Ladnu (Rajathan)

Camel age:- 2 half yrs

Camel trained from 1 year

Keeping camel from generation to generation

(c)

Fig : 50

Tin Khaat Step

Trainer Name:- Umesh Ji

Camel Owner Name:- Ramlal Chowdary

Camel Name:- Kaka

Village: Fatehgrah (Rajathan)

Camel age:- 1 yrs

Camel trained from 1 year

Buy from Nagaur Mela of Rs 90,000

(d)

Fig : 51

Legs Move

Trainer Name:- Dev raj Ji

Camel Owner Name:- Umroa raika

Camel Name:- naresh

Village: Badmer (Rajathan)

Camel age:- 2 yrs

Camel trained from 1 months

Keep female camel from generation to generation

Fig : 52

Camel foot Step

Trainer Name:- Hanuman Ji

Camel Owner Name:- Trilok Ram Sain

Camel Name:- nanu

Village: Meherashi (Rajathan)

Camel age:- 3 yrs

Camel trained from 6 months

Keep camel from generation to generation

4.1.12 Influences of camel dance in others area

Fig : 53

Camel Decoration in Orissa

Fig : 54

Different camel Saddle

CHAPTER 5

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5. SEMIOTICS

5.1 BLACK DOT ON CAMEL

5. SEMOTICS

5.1 Black dot on camel

Applying Black dot as a part of decoration, it’s a kajal, which women apply in

kite eyes. So, in hindi it’s called “Nazar na lag jaye”

Fig: 55

Black Chakra

Fig: 56

Front Black Dot

CONCLUSION

The camel is synonym of Rajasthan and is an inextricable part of the identity of this

desert state. Historically, this animal was essential for the development of the Thar

Desert. Without the camel, settlement, transportation, trade and communication would

not have been possible. The role of the camel for the rural population is expressed in

the local proverb “Marry me into a village with many camels”. The rulers of the desert

kingdoms all maintained camel mounted armies. Without camels, Jaisalmer could never

have developed as a trade Centre, and its famous architecture would not be there. The

Rajasthan Tourism Department has a camel as its logo and for the Incredible India

campaign romantic images of camels with their keepers among sand dunes were

frequently deployed. The Rajasthan Tourism Department also organizes a Camel

Festival and various camel related shows – camel races, camel dancing, and camel

polo - define the programs of the Desert Festival in Jaisalmer as well as the Marwar

Festival in Jodhpur.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Camel dance being a celebrated cultural activity of Rajasthan, then camels were the

only source of transport. The interesting highlights of the festivals are: camel races,

camel milking, and fur cutting design, best breed competition, camel brands, traditional

folk dance and music. With music and dance performances, food, crafts display and lot

more, this festival is one of the most energetic and colorful ones in the Rajasthan.

Rajasthan, the land of Kings, has royal grandeur and a glorious history; it is a charming

and captivating state of India. The different festivals has their unique richness; animal

decoration and dance of camel, elephant and horse and folk performance held in the

festivals which makes the culturally importance of Rajasthan

Learned about the camel dance, construction, evolution, patterns and semiotics.

Preserved of a folk and traditional knowledge.

REFERENCES

1. N.B SANGITA,,Rajasthan and it’s culture, Volume : 1/ISSUE,/ ISSN 2320 –

7620,(3 June, 2013)

2. Camel value addition: A tool for sustainable rural development in Rajasthan, Journal,LOKHIT PASHU-PALAK SANSTHAN (LPPS), February, 2010

3. Karthik: Festivals (Fairs), Article ,22 Nov,2015,

4. Owners Wait at Camel Fair in Pushkar, India-west Publication, November

30, 2012

5. K.RIlse and S.R. hanwant; Life and Nature; Camel Yatra ( May 31, 2005)

6. SancheyMaviya, “Tourism Leisure and Recreation”, Isha Books

Publications, Delhi, 2005.

7. K.K. Sharma, “Tourism and Economic Development”, Sarup& Son’s

Publications, New Delhi, 1st Edition, 2004.

8. Akshay Kumar, “Tourism Management”, Commonwealth Publishers, New Delhi, 1997.

9. Book, “A Glimpse of Rajasthan camel”,; November 8, 2014

10. K.R.Ilse, Camel Karma; Twenty years among India’s camel Nomads,

Published 2014

11. History of rajasthan, udipur (rajasthan) – 2008, page no. 21. 2.

12. http;//www.rajasthanclub.org/clture.php,Date of access09-02-17

13. http;//rajasthan.the coloursofindia.com/culture

14. http://www.indiansummerca.com/pushkar/index.htmlDate of access- 29-01-

17

15. https://www.indianholiday.com/fairs-and-festivals/rajasthan/camel-festival-

bikaner.htmlDate of access- 10-02-17

16. http://www.rajasthanvisit.com/Nagaur-Fair.htmDate of access-23-01-17

17. http://www.lpps.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/07/downtoearth.pdfDateofacc

ess-30-01-17

18. http://www.ashokaholidays.com/bikaner-camelfestival.pdfDateofaccess-30-01-17

GLOSSARY

1. Aa aa- come closer

2. Bas – to stop camel

3. Bu- drink water

4. Chal – to move camel

5. Jai- to sit camel

6. Kathi - Camel Seat

7. Khade ho – to stand

8. Ku- for jumping

9. Kuchhi, Jin – Camel seat

10. Musician – Gawale

11. Ma- Mala Dalna

12. Parat- Long plate

13. Sapat- Camel back seat only using in time of camel race

14. sidhi rassi – to move left leg- move neck towards left

15. ulti rassi – to move right leg- move neck towards right