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CELEBRATING THE FOLK TREAT
ET-Travel
explores the musical and cultural connect by going the e-way. Here’s how...
Kudos to the new wave of travel trends. Online
footprints truly made quite a buzz this year. And 70 per cent of
vacationers decided upon a location only after looking it up online for
details on where to stay, the crafts and local folk activities to indulge
in.
Taking a cue, most travel agencies came up with
travel apps where a mobile phone user could easily log in and affirm or
alter bookings right at the lastminute and still enjoy the luxury
of a full-fledged, well-planned vacation. It’s actually been a blessing to
office-goers who are often nagged for the lack of family holidays. All one
needs is a smartphone and a fast network connection.
If you, too, would like to join the e-bandwagon of
holidayers, then make sure you start a search on holiday choices you have
in mind within your budget. Every resort, state and activity now comes
recommended by people who’ve been there and left a remark and review. Weave
your own e-story when you go visiting. Involve your kids to write their
version with pictures. Lo! Your family album with beautiful captions is
ready...
RAJASTHANI FOLK MUSIC ASSORTED FOR YOU
REGION: Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur R ajasthani folk music is a beautiful
treat to hear and an eclectic way to witness the various colourful aspects
of Rajasthan. This state is home to several centers of Indian musical
development, including Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaipur. It’s easy to find
similarity in this region’s music with nearby areas of India and the other
side of the border, in the Pakistani province of Sindh.
When you come visiting, ask your local tour guide
to introduce you to the diverse musician castes, including the Langas,
Sapera, Bhopa, Jogi and Manganiar. There are two traditional classes of
musicians: the Langas, who stuck mostly exclusively to Muslim audiences and
styles, and the Manganiars, who had a more liberal approach. A cultural
show often puts the two together for the tourists. Men and women wear
colourful attires and together perform at these shows. The musicians take
pride in singing ballads of heroes like Devnarayan Bhagwan, Gogaji,
Ramdeoji, Pabuji and Tejaji. In fact, the songs may vary according to the
season you would go visiting as the celebration of changing seasons is also
very central to folk music here.
DON’T MISS: Attend a performance by famous Rajasthani Maand singer
Allah Jilai Bai of the Bikaner Gharana.
MUST BUY: Shop for traditional glasswork kurtas and cholis. Bangles
and silver jewellery are a treat to buy.
TEMPLE, FORTS & COASTAL CUISINE
REGION: Ratnagiri in Maharashtra The most striking aspect of Ratnagiri
— Alphonso mangoes home turf, is its clean good roads. It’s a treat to
drive around here to vantage points where the entire coastline encircles
the hills in a serpentine look. And any introduction to Ratnagiri will be
incomplete without its delicious local cuisine (kids love it). On the
platter is its natural produce of kokum. A tall glass of kokum sherbat is
offered as a welcome drink at any homestay or resort here. The thali for
vegetarians is a delight, too, despite the fact that the cuisine is
coastal. Of course, fish lovers wouldn’t have their fill even at the tenth
visit here. The locals are friendly and like to keep the beaches clean.
PLACES TO VISIT: Jaigad Lighthouse, Pandre Samudra Beach, watersports
at Ganpatipule, Thebaw Palace, Ratnadurg Fort, and the Mandovi Beach. DON’T
MISS: Stay over at a traditional household via homestay options
available. Some resorts offer environment-friendly rooms with a city tour
package.
www.ratnagiri.nic.in
ROYAL TREATS, VINTAGE CARS & JAMES BOND SHOOT
REGION: Udaipur in Rajasthan
Udaipur , a close cousin of Jaipur is a favoured holiday spot for many
celebrities. And the advantage it extends is exclusivity. A flight to
Udaipur from Mumbai is shorter than you think. It’s just 1 hour, 10 minutes
and there are few in a day, so choose your time and plan ahead. Delhi to
Udaipur is equally wellconnected by rail and air.
The stay here is what makes Udaipur a royal treat.
The palaces are now hotels and each room still carries the aura of royal
hospitality. History has it that the twin sons of Lord Rama — Luv and Kush
were given charge of Udaipur and Jaipur, respectively. The present royal
family with Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar at its helm belong to Prince Luv’s
Suryavanshi (worshippers of Sun) dynasty.
DON’T MISS: Udaipur is often called ‘Venice of the East’. It is also
the ‘City of Lakes’. The Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) located in the middle of
Pichola Lake is the finest example of architectural marvel. The grand City
Palace on the banks of the lake along with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh)
on the hill above enhances the beauty of this magnificent city. Udaipur is
also the centre for performing arts, crafts and its famed miniature
paintings. The Shilpgram Festival is a great crowd-puller during New Year.
MUST SHOP: Locally dyed bedspreads and garments, jewellery and
leather jootis are beautiful.
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Nimisha
Tiwari ETTR131212
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