Know your culture: Indian art forms that parents must teach their kids about

India, the land of culture and heritage, has infinite numbers of unique art forms which are different for different regions. From the Aipans of Uttarakhand to the Bharatnatyam of Tamil Nadu, cultural heritage is a big plus in India and for Indians. But, one rising issue in India is that kids no longer know about their own culture. They know full well about hip hop and rap culture of the West but are clueless about the Pattachitra and Thumris of India.

Madhubani, also known as Mithila painting, is a beautiful art form which has eye-catching geometrical patterns, beautifully detailed drawings and vibrant colours. Traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors, Madhubani paintings are now created on cloth, handmade paper, and canvas. The themes of Madhubani paintings are simple and elegant. From the painting of a ‘doli’ of a newly married woman to one that tells a religious story, it is on varied themes and situations.
It was traditionally done by women and used natural elements like colours from flowers, twigs as brush, and clay as setting.

Dance is one of the most elegant art forms and the Indian dance form of Bharatnatyam is one of the oldest in the world. Bharatnatyam is known for its grace, footwork, mudras, elaborate costumes, and the makeup on the face. And what's best is that Bharatnatyam is not just a dance that people enjoy because of the steps, but is also a form of storytelling. And with each movement and expression, the performer tells a different dialogue and emotion.

Pattachitra is the traditional painting style from Odisha and West Bengal. Evident from the name, Pattachitra refers to paintings done on clothes and these were originally done on dried palm leaves or cloth. The themes of the paintings were usually about Hindu scriptures, especially the stories of Lord Jagannath, Krishna, and Ramayana. The paintings have bold lines, vibrant colours, and a unique portrayal of figures and scenes.

Aipan is a traditional folk art form from Uttarakhand, and especially famous in the Kumaon region. Aipans have beautiful patterns, elegant swirls, and are made with natural ingredients. Traditionally, aipans were made with ground rice flour and were painted on walls, floors, and at the entrances of homes, during festivals and special occasions. The red background and the white patterns above it were a way to invite Gods into the house and have their blessings. People also used to make Maa Lakshmi’s feet with Aipan during Diwali and other festivals.

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Thumri is a genre of semi-classical Indian music and is known for its devotional and expressive themes. The lyrics of Thumris are usually in Hindi or Awadhi and have the themes of love and longing to them. Thumris are the expressions and feelings of female artists and sung while they perform kathak.
And then there are ‘Gharanas’. A Gharana, which literally means ‘house’, represents a school or style of music that has been passed down through generations. Each Gharana is known for its unique approach to the teaching of classical music and they all have their specific styles of singing and using instruments.

Cheraw, also known as the Bamboo Dance, is a traditional dance form from Mizoram. It is one of the most famous dances of the Mizo people and has dancers stepping in and out of bamboo poles that are clapped together in rhythm. The dance is usually performed during festivals and celebrations, along with traditional Mizo music.