| Rajasthan has a large indigenous populace Minas (Minawati)
in Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas. The Meo and
the Banjara are travelling tradesmen and artisans. The Gadia
Lohar is the Lohar meaning ironsmith who travels on Gadia
meaning bullock carts; they generally make and repair agricultural
and household implements. The Bhils are one of the oldest
peoples in India, inhabit the districts of Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh,
Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur, and Sirohi and are famous for
their skill in archery. The Grasia and nomadic Kathodi live
in the Mewar region. Sahariyas are found in the Kota district,
and the Rabaris of the Marwar region are cattle breeders.
Rajasthan is a haven for a wide spectrum of wildlife. The
topography of Rajasthan ranges from the barren desert, scrub-thorn
arid forests,rocks and ravines to wetlands and lush, green
forests. And each of these areas houses a large variety of
animal and bird life. Some of them rare while some endangered.
Rajasthan is the home of the tigers, black bucks,chinkara,
the rare desert fox,the endangered caracal, the great Indian
bustard,gavial, monitor lizard,wild boars,porcupine. Migratory
birds like the common crane, ducks,coots, pelicans and the
rare Siberian cranes,imperial sandgrouse, falcons, buzzards
flocks to this state during the winter months. Typical areas
representing each of the ecosystems have been earmarked as
special areas wildlife. Rajasthan boasts of two National Parks,over
a dozen Sanctuaries and two Closed Areas. Most of these areas
are open to visitors round the year but are closed briefly
during the monsoon.
There is a great tradition of popular poetry, which is written
under the rival banners of Turru and Kalangi. This is a sung
in groups in Jikri, Kanhaiyya or Geet(of the Meenas), Hele-ke-Khyal
and Bam Rasiya of Eastern Rajasthan. Group singing of classical
bandishes, called the Dangal or taalbandi is also unique to
this region. Bhopas are singing priests of various deities
or warrior saints.The Bhopas of Mataji wear costumes and play
the Mashak.
Dance is often part of the musical tradition and the Theories
or Nayaks who are Pabu Bhopas, have a female accompanist;
together they recite the phad ( a painted ballad). The phad
itself is an elaborately painted work of art and deeply venerated.
The Chipas or Joshis are famous phad painters.
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