A predominantly agrarian economy with around seventy percent of of its burgeoning one billion plus population relying on agriculture for livelihood, the state of Rajasthan in India is not so privileged to have been blessed with the best agrarian natural inputs. Its the largest Indian federal state, with a large part of its largeness holding earth which has been thirsty for water for ages, whose barren fields have stories of valor and chivalry, where life goes unabated and hardships are nothing but instincts of survival.
Legend has it that once flourishing with agricultural produce augmented by the mighty and noisy river Saraswati, it turned arid and dry because of a curse. Satellite studies have shown it to be flowing under the great Thar Desert, much to the country's delight as holding potentially rich oil and gas reserves. However nature's admonishment failed to dent the spirit, and with livelihoods stolen, the people of this desert state had to reinvent to subscribe to this.
Amongst the many instincts of survival picked up in these harsh conditions of aridness, where women even to this day travel miles a fetch a pale of water, the Rajasthanis who could easily have turned hostile, actually evolved stronger. As their livelihoods of default were snatched, the only vocation they could practice was trade. They mastered the art of trade and developed sharp business acumen and to this day dominate the business scene of this country. Their entrepreneurship is widely debated world over. A point in case being the richest Indian in the world Lakshmi Nivas Mittal, the uncrowned emperor of global steel business, also hails from here.
Ruled by the chivalrous and legendary Rajput rulers, its history is as exciting as its neo evolution. Known as the land of brave rulers who built impregnable forts and amazing palaces, it is the numero uno destination on any visitors' ternary in the Indian landscape. It also mirrors the rich Indian tradition and culture and offers the best explanation of hospitality. Having seen it all, what is most signature like is its huge love for colours. It was probably encouraged by the homogeneity of the desert, that Rajasthan had to marry colours. When nature around chose to keep it devoid of colours, its people unrelented. Colours are central to their life. They choose to wear colours more boldly than anywhere else in the world. The men adorn turbans with splash of rich colours. The women drape ethnic wear in the most communicative colours. Their festivals are full of life, resplendent with a mix of amazing colours.
Their love for colours could be seen in common everyday faculties going as far as constructing an entire city pink in colour known as Jaipur, its capital. Domicile Rajasthanis take pride in their colourful attire, and colourful houses and drapes which is a constant reminder of their willingness to fight adversity. You may not come across a single Rajasthani complaining on its share of arid dryness, lack of vegetation and water, lack of governmental support and infrastructure, because they realize they are destiny's less loved children. They trust their labour and their evolved instincts of survival manifests into success of their enterprise, and they take fond pleasure in the art of wealth creation.
What however cannot escape this writing on the influence of colour in Rajasthan Holidays are their magnum opus colourful wedding carnivals. Nowhere else in India is a wedding such a spectacle spread over a week of cultural and culinary drama. Their weddings comprise of large participation involving long and strenuous customary rituals with embellishments of fun, food, music, dance, and drama. Its an affair which at the end of it all could consume lots of money and energy. The fatigue of a Rajasthani wedding is washed over months and it takes days to settle down after the event.
The joy and vibrancy of this desert state promises to continue for generations ahead, as its people love their land, and despite the adverse and inhospitable living conditions are unwilling to compromise for life's better conveniences, because they know what binds them amongst many things is their common love for colour. They are aware their women and children can lead better lives in other precincts, but they know they may not be able to pride in their love for colour on a different land. They thus remain to be destiny's less loved children in love with themselves, their traditions, and of course their colours.
Legend has it that once flourishing with agricultural produce augmented by the mighty and noisy river Saraswati, it turned arid and dry because of a curse. Satellite studies have shown it to be flowing under the great Thar Desert, much to the country's delight as holding potentially rich oil and gas reserves. However nature's admonishment failed to dent the spirit, and with livelihoods stolen, the people of this desert state had to reinvent to subscribe to this.
Amongst the many instincts of survival picked up in these harsh conditions of aridness, where women even to this day travel miles a fetch a pale of water, the Rajasthanis who could easily have turned hostile, actually evolved stronger. As their livelihoods of default were snatched, the only vocation they could practice was trade. They mastered the art of trade and developed sharp business acumen and to this day dominate the business scene of this country. Their entrepreneurship is widely debated world over. A point in case being the richest Indian in the world Lakshmi Nivas Mittal, the uncrowned emperor of global steel business, also hails from here.
Ruled by the chivalrous and legendary Rajput rulers, its history is as exciting as its neo evolution. Known as the land of brave rulers who built impregnable forts and amazing palaces, it is the numero uno destination on any visitors' ternary in the Indian landscape. It also mirrors the rich Indian tradition and culture and offers the best explanation of hospitality. Having seen it all, what is most signature like is its huge love for colours. It was probably encouraged by the homogeneity of the desert, that Rajasthan had to marry colours. When nature around chose to keep it devoid of colours, its people unrelented. Colours are central to their life. They choose to wear colours more boldly than anywhere else in the world. The men adorn turbans with splash of rich colours. The women drape ethnic wear in the most communicative colours. Their festivals are full of life, resplendent with a mix of amazing colours.
Their love for colours could be seen in common everyday faculties going as far as constructing an entire city pink in colour known as Jaipur, its capital. Domicile Rajasthanis take pride in their colourful attire, and colourful houses and drapes which is a constant reminder of their willingness to fight adversity. You may not come across a single Rajasthani complaining on its share of arid dryness, lack of vegetation and water, lack of governmental support and infrastructure, because they realize they are destiny's less loved children. They trust their labour and their evolved instincts of survival manifests into success of their enterprise, and they take fond pleasure in the art of wealth creation.
What however cannot escape this writing on the influence of colour in Rajasthan Holidays are their magnum opus colourful wedding carnivals. Nowhere else in India is a wedding such a spectacle spread over a week of cultural and culinary drama. Their weddings comprise of large participation involving long and strenuous customary rituals with embellishments of fun, food, music, dance, and drama. Its an affair which at the end of it all could consume lots of money and energy. The fatigue of a Rajasthani wedding is washed over months and it takes days to settle down after the event.
The joy and vibrancy of this desert state promises to continue for generations ahead, as its people love their land, and despite the adverse and inhospitable living conditions are unwilling to compromise for life's better conveniences, because they know what binds them amongst many things is their common love for colour. They are aware their women and children can lead better lives in other precincts, but they know they may not be able to pride in their love for colour on a different land. They thus remain to be destiny's less loved children in love with themselves, their traditions, and of course their colours.
