Q1(c). Write briefly on the following: Pushkar Fair; Id-ul-Fitr; Bagh Caves; Gol Gumbaz; Giddha; Kathakali and Kathak; Amrita Sher-Gil; E.B. Havell

I. Pushkar Fair

Held annually in Rajasthan’s Pushkar, it is one of the world’s largest camel, cattle, and livestock fairs. The event blends pilgrimage (Pushkar Lake and Brahma Temple), animal trade, folk music, rural sports, and tourism.

It also boosts Western India’s cultural economy, with Haryana’s cattle traders and artisans frequently participating due to proximity and shared livestock traditions.

II. Id-ul-Fitr

Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Celebrated with congregational prayers (Eidgah), charity (Zakat-ul-Fitr), feasting, and social harmony.

In Haryana, cities like Nuh, Panipat, and Sirsa host large Eid congregations reflecting the state’s syncretic culture.

III. Bagh Caves

Located in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, these 5th–7th century Buddhist rock-cut caves are famous for mural paintings comparable to Ajanta. The paintings depict Jataka tales, royal processions, and monastic life, representing Gupta-era artistic refinement.

IV. Gol Gumbaz

A 17th-century mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah in Bijapur (Karnataka). Noted for its massive unsupported domeMthe second largest in the world and the Whispering Gallery, where even soft sounds reverberate multiple times. A landmark of Deccan Sultanate architecture.

V. Giddha

A vibrant women’s folk dance of Punjab and Haryana, characterised by rhythmic claps, colourful attire, and boliyan (folk couplets). It expresses celebration, seasonal rituals, and everyday rural life. Often performed during weddings and harvest festivals in Haryana’s districts like Kaithal, Karnal, and Sirsa.

VI. Kathakali and Kathak

• Kathakali: Classical dance-drama of Kerala with elaborate makeup, masks, and vigorous movements; themes drawn from epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
• Kathak: North Indian classical dance rooted in temple storytelling. Features fast spins, rhythmic footwork, and expressive gestures. Major gharanas include Jaipur, Lucknow, and Banaras. It has significant popularity in North India including Haryana’s cultural circuits.

VII. Amrita Sher-Gil

A pioneering modern Indian painter, often called the “Frida Kahlo of India.” Her works, such as Three Girls and Bride’s Toilet, brought realism and feminist sensitivity into Indian art. She blended European techniques with Indian rural themes, influencing generations of modernist artists.

VII. E.B. Havell

Ernest Binfield Havell, a British art historian, reinterpreted Indian art through an indigenous and spiritual lens. As Principal of the Calcutta School of Art, he opposed Western academic conventions and encouraged revival of traditional Indian styles. His support to Abanindranath Tagore helped shape the Bengal School of Art, which later influenced artistic revival during India’s national movement.