Aavo Padharo, words of welcome in the language of Gujarat because it is here that these words ring truly and the guest is 'God' and the people of Gujarat are gregariously friendly, inviting and will entice you to come again and again.
Stretches out into the Arabian Sea, with a hint of the desert and with a coastline of 1600 kms long is Gujarat – the home state of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation. It is renowned for its beaches, temple towns and historic capitals. Wildlife sanctuaries, hill resorts and natural grandeur are gifts of Gujarat. Sculpture, handicrafts, arts, festivals also make the state rich. Gujarat is also among the most technologically advanced, housing the largest petrochemical complex in the country.
A state with an amazingly varied topography ranging from the deep green of the dense forests to stark white at the salt plains. Its 1660 kilometers coastline is home to some of the most unique marine species and geographical locations at the state makes it an ideal matrix, a melting pot of a vast variety of culture, people, places and history due to eons of migratory influences. Along with all the migrations came in various ritual practices, cuisines, style of dresses, fairs and festivals, celebrations all of which were amalgamated and became a part of what this amazingly diverse state has to offer to you. This was possible as a result of trade, commerce and the dexterity of the people of Gujarat to accept and take in and make a part of all who come in here for succour, conquest or trade.
Another dance form which is performed during the Navratri celebrations is the Garba. The name originated from the Sanskrit word Garbha which means “The Womb”. The dancers dance in concentric rings or circles around an earthen lamp or an image of the Goddess Shakti. This dance is a devotional dance form and is dedicated to the venerated God or the lamp that is placed in the centre. A highly energetic dance form which requires the dancers to be quick footed.
The highly skilled and patterned Ajrakh block-printing came to Kutch from Sind 400 years ago when the Muslim Khatri’s settled in the village of Dhamadka. In 2001 a devastating earthquake severely damaged Bhuj, Dhamadka and other villages and towns all over the Kutch region. In the wake of this tragedy, the Khatri’s were brought closer together and a new village was created to rebuild their lives and their craft production, aptly named Ajrakhpur (‘place of Ajrakh’). Today there are Khatris living and working in both villages. The artisans of Ajrakhpur specialise in Ajrakh – a Block Printed cotton cloth used traditionally by local herdsmen with natural dies. Its geometrical and nonfigurative motifs often mirror those appearing in Islamic – influenced Indian architecture.
The “Banni grasslands” is inhabited by many tribes who now are world famous for their exquisite and intricate embroidery. Here the minutest of minute and exclusive embroideries and mud work are done. Their craftsmanship and artistic works are so much excellent that craftsmen/artists have been honoured by national awards. These people subsist and depend mainly on doing mud works, godadi works (very small quilts), patch – works, handmade embroideries as craftsmen and others on livestock as pastoralists (Maldharis).
The village of Nirona is the only place in the world where the tradition of Rogan art is still practiced (a method of producing dyes from natural resources and castor oil and creating intricate and long-lasting designs on silk and cotton). Rogan art is a rare craft that is not well known even in India. Because of its rare qualities, its practiced by only one family in India and they reside in Nirona village in Gujarat.
Patola is a double ikat woven sari, made in Patan. The fabric used is usually silk with a few variations in cotton as well. The word patola is the plural form; the singular is patolu. These saris are popular among those who can afford the high prices as they are very expensive, once worn only by those belonging to royal and aristocratic families. Patola-weaving is a closely guarded
family tradition. There are three families in Patan that weave these highly prized double ikat saris. It is said that this technique is taught to no one in the family, but only to the sons. It can take six months to one year to make one sari due to the long process of dying each strand separately before weaving them together.
It is the oldest culinary treasure of India. The state offers a variety of vegetarian dishes including different kinds of pickles, farsans, chutneys and foods that are always high on nutrition quotient. In the cuisines of Gujarat, one can see that there is excessive of sugar, tomatoes and lemon. The reason behind this is that Gujarat is a coastal state, weather remains hot and dry throughout the year and all these ingredients keep the body hydrated.
Gujarat is divided into four regions- North Gujarat, Kathiawad, Kutch, and South Gujarat. In all these regions, different types of cuisines are cooked because of their climatic conditions. North Gujarat is prominent for its thalis. Farsans (snacks) including items like khaman, khandvi, kachori, mini-samosa, dhokla, and dahi vada are the speciality of North Gujarat thali. South Gujarat cuisine is known for its use of chillies in almost every dish. Undhiyu and Paunkh are few popular dishes that are served in South Gujarat. Even the cuisine of Khathiawad is known for its spicy quotient as there is excessive use of chillies here as well.
"Gujarati Thali" is a must try for everyone. A typical thali that contains many small bowls filled with curries, snacks, sides, sweets, bread, chutney (spicy condiment) and pickles. Distinctive things about Thali is that it allows you the savour the delicate balances of flavour-sweet, salty, spicy, crisp, soft, fried and deep fried.
With all the spIces, herbs and the flavours, cuisines of Gujarat are worth relishing. They are scrumptious, delicious, yummy and can surely tickles ones taste buds. People who are on a holiday to Gujarat should savour the delicious flavours offered in the state.
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