India is a place thriving on its culture and flaunting a rich cultural heritage. Almost every individual part of India bears a significant traditional form. It ranges from carvings, drawings, paintings, embroideries, and so much more! However, these beautiful art forms are nearing the edge of extinction. It is the duty of the citizens to ensure that the diversity of the country is preserved through the ages. NGOs and social organizations are doing their part to lend a hand and preserve these craftsmen and communities.
The rapidly changing lifestyle and negligence summed up the causes of the disappearance of these traditional works. It is an urgent need to revitalize and nurture the skills possessed by them to sustain it for future generations. Let us take a glance at all the forms of culture that need immediate attention and if any are already been taken to save them!
1. Manjusha Painting
A cultural heritage hailing from Anga Pradesh, these kinds of art represent a story in itself. Originally, these products were solely made for the Bishahari festival dedicated to the snake god. It mainly flourished during British rule. Ever since the middle of the 20th century, this culture had begun to lose its relevance. The Bihar government, however, is putting all its efforts to revive this dying form of art. They are trying to establish it as a patent under the Baghalpur folk art.
2. The Art of Puppetry
Over 3000 years old, the art form of puppetry presents a plethora of forms. It has presented itself in several forms through the states of Kerala, Odisha, and Rajasthan. With time, the artists have moved on to pursue alternative livelihoods and thus, the art has come to a halt. Some estimate that in a few years there will be nothing called puppetry. Sadly, not much is done to revive this traditional form. However, some NGOs have put in their efforts to bring it to the cities to give them a platform to revive their art.
3. Toda Embroidery
It is a form of culture popularized by the Toda tribe in the Nilgiri Hills. Their embroidery is identified by the square-shaped deceptions done on a cloth. The tribe, which consists of only 2,000 people, are trying their best to keep their culture alive. Efforts are being taken to put these designs in the goods of daily necessities. It can be found on bed sheets, wallets, stoles, etc.
4. Roghan Painting
This art form is currently pursued by only 6 artists in Rajasthan, India. This culture was nurtured by the Khatri family in Rajasthan and continued to be practiced by seven following generations. However, failure to pass it down to future generations has put their art at risk. It requires a lot of concentration and hard work to execute this extraordinary form of culture. It is done on fabric with castor oil and thin metal rods. Very little is being done to uphold this exquisite heritage through the upcoming ages.
5. Dokhra Handicrafts
Popularized in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, these unique artifacts are made out of wax casting techniques. It has been prevalent in the country for 4,000 years. Its earliest traces can be found as the dancing girl of Mohenjo Daro. However, few tribes are still practicing the culture and minimum effort has been given to uphold this heritage. The artifacts are still in great domestic and foreign demands due to the simplicity of the art.
6. Naga Handicrafts
Known for their culture in the form of arts and crafts, the Nagas are well-known for creating interesting handicrafts. They typically find readily available materials from the forest like wood and cane and make astonishing crafts out of them. Their culture is based on making shawls, baskets, bowls, and home decors. This tribe does take part in various expos and exhibitions, yet it is considered as a dying form of culture in India.
With the rising number of forms of culture facing extinction in India, proper awareness movements need to be created. The government needs to strategize certain policies and action plans to promote these dying forms of culture. After all, we want our future generations to witness the spectacle and diversity of their country- India.
