Art, Crafts & Dance
MP GK · कला, शिल्प और नृत्य
📋Quick Overview
Madhya Pradesh is a rich tapestry of art forms — from tribal Gond paintings to classical music associated with the legendary Tansen of Gwalior. The state's crafts include UNESCO-recognized Chanderi silk, the iconic Maheshwari saree revived by Ahilya Bai Holkar, and the natural-dye Bagh print. Khajuraho's UNESCO temples display India's finest Nagara architecture, and folk dances like Karma and Rai are integral to the state's cultural identity.
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Tansen — greatest Dhrupad vocalist — was born in Gwalior; Tansen Samaroh (Tansen Music Festival) is held annually at his tomb in Gwalior
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Chanderi and Maheshwari sarees both have GI tags — Chanderi from Chanderi (Ashoknagar), Maheshwari from Maheshwar (Khargone)
📖GI Tagged Crafts of MP
| Craft | Location | Key Feature | GI Tag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chanderi Silk | Chanderi, Ashoknagar | Fine handwoven cotton-silk blend; gold zari border; transparent texture; classic butis (motifs) | Yes (GI) |
| Maheshwari Saree | Maheshwar, Khargone | Cotton-silk weave; revived by Ahilya Bai Holkar (18th c.); reversible border; 9-yard style | Yes (GI) |
| Bagh Print | Bagh village, Dhar | Natural vegetable dye printing on cotton; ancient craft of Khatri community; geometric patterns | Yes (GI) |
| Gond Art / Pithora | Mandla, Dindori | Tribal dot-painting style; colorful depiction of nature, gods, animals; Jangarh Singh Shyam pioneered modern Gond art | Yes (GI) |
📖Folk Dances of MP
| Dance | Region/Tribe | Occasion/Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Karma | Gond, Baiga (tribal) | Worship of Karma tree (Nauclea parvifolia); performed during harvest; most popular tribal dance of MP |
| Rai | Bundelkhand region | Female-dominated energetic dance; performed at weddings and festivals; Bedia community |
| Matki | Malwa region | Solo female dance balancing pot (matki) on head; graceful and rhythmic |
| Jawara | Bundelkhand, Malwa | Harvest dance; performed after crop cutting; carries bundles of grain on head |
| Tertali | Kamar tribe, Vindhya | Female sitting dance; small cymbals (manjeeras) tied to knees and hands; acrobatic |
| Phulpati | Malwa region | Spring festival dance; women carry flower garlands; performed on Phulrang festival |
📝Tansen — The Legendary Musician
- •Full name: Mian Tansen (original name Ram Tanu Pandey); born at Behat near Gwalior (c. 1493–1586 CE)
- •One of the Navaratnas (9 gems) in Emperor Akbar's court; considered the greatest musician in Indian classical tradition
- •Tansen was the master of Dhrupad style of singing; his guru was Swami Haridas of Vrindavan
- •Tansen Music Festival (Tansen Samaroh) — held every year in November/December at Gwalior; India's prestigious classical music festival
- •Legend: Tansen could light lamps by singing Deepak Raga and bring rain by singing Megh Malhar raga
📝Khajuraho Temples — Architecture
- •Built by Chandela dynasty kings between 950–1050 CE; Yashovarman and Dhanga were the main builders
- •Nagara style (North Indian temple architecture): shikhara (spire) style, no surrounding walls, intricately carved exterior
- •85 original temples; only 22-25 remain today; three groups: Western (most visited), Eastern (Jain temples), Southern
- •Kandariya Mahadeva temple (Western group): Tallest at 31m; most elaborately carved; dedicated to Shiva
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986; the erotic sculptures symbolize kama (desire) — one of the four purusharthas