Culture & Heritage

Hazaribag is rich in art and culture which is reflected in the handicraft items and traditions of this region . Its culture is rich, diverse and unique. Sanskriti museum and Art Gallery is one best way to have an insight of Hazaribag’s Art and Culture. Hazaribag got its famous Art form “Mural painting” from pre – historic times. Stone age tools were discovered from Hazaribag. Hazaribag is also famous for its tribal art form.

Tribal dance

Unlike other metropolitan cities, Hazaribag is not about night life, discotheques or high profile parties. This place is more about its famous temples and traditions. One may not find shopping avenues as majority of people favor shopping in local markets. The mindset of the people are dominated by Indian cultural values and beliefs. Hazaribag has got mixture of all communities/religions. Almost each tribe residing in Hazaribag has developed their unique language, art and culture.

Religions

Hinduism is the principle religion of Hazaribag. Most of the people follow Hinduism. Other prominent religion present here are Islam, Sarna and Christianity. Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism are other basic religion followed by people of Hazaribag. Being a hindu dominant area one can find the presence of few very famous hindu temples in Hazaribag. Some very famous temples in and around Hazaribag are Narsigsthan temple, Rajrappa, Bhadrakali templeand many more. A famous Jain temple Parasnath temple is also present in the close vicinity of Hazaribag.

Languages

The languages spoken in the town are Hindi, Santhali, English and other tribal languages. Hindi is a common language spoken by the inhabitant of the city. All government communications, advertisements, media communications and public activities are done in Hindi. Due to educational institutes and literacy, English is also a formal language for business communications. Santhals the primary tribe of Hazaribag speaks Santali, which is allied to the Mundari language. Another local language known as Kharia, which is a branch of Munda family of languages is spoken by primitive Kolarian tribe.

Cuisines

Hazaribag is famous for its street food which is both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Bagheri jhor along with rice is the staple diet of the people here. The common snacks eaten by the locals includes kachori, samosa and dhuska bada. Kebabs of chicken and mutton are also popular and its taste is very different from what can find in northern India.

Folk Songs and Dancing

Folk music and dances are part and parcel of the tribal culture in Hazaribag. People sing and dance in open places according to seasons. Popular Folk dances of the region are Paika, Jadur, Santhal, Chhou, Karma, Nachni, Natua, Agni, Matha, Sohrai, etc. Folk Music like Mardana Jhumar, Faguwa, Janani Jhumar, Dohari Domkach, Jhumta, Akhariya Domkach, Udasi, Pawas, etc. are very popular.

Paika: It is one of important dance form performed by Munda community. It is the form showing the rituals performed during the war preparation. The dance is performed with the props used for the war.

Hunta : It is a dance form of the Santhals. It is a dance that is performed by men. This dance form shows how hunting is carried by this tribe. The basic props involved in his dance are arrows, bows and other tools used for hunting.
Mundari: It is a dance form of the Mundari tribe and is performed at the time of marriages. Its motive is celebration.

Barao : It is a dance form performed by the Oraon tribe. This dance is performed in the month of May. It is performed for a good rain.

Domkach: It is also a typical dance of the Chotanagpur region. It is performed by the women from the groom’s side.

Chhou: It is also a very popular tribal dance. The dancers perform this dance form to depict the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharta.

Despite increasing penetration of modern music like Hollywood and Bollywood songs, these folk songs and dances continue to hold their ground and are still being practiced during special seasons and auspicious occasions by the locals and reflect the prevailing culture in the city.

Festivals

Festivals in Hazaribag are celebrated with great enthusiasm. The celebrations are marked by shopping, foods, snacks and fun. Local fairs and small cultural festivals are also common. Given the traditional outlook of people, celebrations take place in its very spirit. The important festivals celebrated are:

Chatt Puja: It is one of the main hindu festival celebrated in this area. This festival is devoted to Sun God. It is celebrated twice every year, once in March and second in November.

Holi: People here celebrated holi “ festival of colors” with great joy and passion. It is one of the main festivals for the localities of this town.

Gajalaxmi Puja: it is one of the most important festival celebrated by people of Hazaribag. It falls in the month of September and October.People in Hazaribag also celebrate Dusshera with great passion.
Ramnavi is a three day festival celebrated with joy all over Hazaribag. The large crowd involved in this festival forces the administration to ensure high security in the region during this period.

Art and Paintings

Stone age tools, Mesolithic rockart sites, stone tools, microliths, Neolithic stone tools, and pottery shards were discovered from Hazaribag The village paintings are considered auspicious symbols related to fertility. These paintings are painted on the walls of the houses. On the basis harvest and marriage seasons these arts can be divided in 2 major forms namely Khovar and Sohrai. The paintings are done using three major techniques comb-cut; finger-cutting or painted.

Khovar is the marriage art of the tribals and semi-hinduized tribes of Hazaribag living in hill villages. Khovar or the Comb-Cut art done during the marriage season.Sohrai is the winter harvest art. Cloth swabs or chewed twigs of the local Saal forest tree is used for preparing great Sohrai painting.

Costume

The typical garments worn by men are dhoti and a turban. Women prefer to wear Saris. Women folk prefer to wear colorful sarees draped over a simple or fancy blouse on auspicious occasion The Santhal tribe women during the dance wears red bordered white Sari. But now Pant and shirt have also been accepted as a common wear in the region. Owing to the closed culture of the place, people dress up in the traditional manner. However, youth is seen experimenting and trying their hands on the latest fads.The town experiences chilly winters, hence warm and thick clothes are the part of their costumes.

Literature

Town played host to great writers like Sanjiv Chattopadhaya (of Palamau fame) and Rabindranath Tagore. The poet Kamini Roy lived in the town for some years. The noted Bengali author and writer for many Hindi films like SUJATA, Subodh Ghosh was born and brought up in Hazaribag. Many of his stories are set in the region. Keshub Chunder Sen, the great Brahmo Leader has written many pieces during his short stayin the town. Rabindranath Tagore travelled in Hazaribag famous push-push in 1885 and recorded the experience in an essay, “Chotanagpur families”.