“UNFOLDING ETHNIC BEAUTY OF WEST HERITAGE”

West India comprises the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman, and Diu. The region is a quintessential part of the subcontinent’s finance, trade, and tourism because of its Sea Ports, Bombay Stock Exchange (the stock market), Goa’s Beaches, Indian Naval Ports and Shipyards, Industries in Gujarat, Oil refineries, etc.

Cultures and Traditions :

The State of Maharashtra has been inhabited by the Marathas, they were brave and valiant warriors with high self-respect and honor, much of Maharashtra’s buildings, Public Places, and Monuments are named after the Maratha empire rulers, a notable example is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

The Gujrati culture is a subtle blend between the native Indian and the Parsi culture, The Parsi community is rich and wealthy and owns a considerable number of industries and businesses in the region.

Goa is also a blend of multiple foreign races coming together and living in the small coastal state, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to hold control in this region, goa also saw the French invasion and the architecture in the buildings here is a living example of this fact.

Language and Dialects :

The main language in Maharashtra is Marathi which is used in paper works in some offices as well, some of the other spoken dialects in the region are Konkani, Farhadi, Thanjavur Marathi, Judeo-Marathi, etc. Marathi has over 75 million speakers

The Gujrat region has Gujrati as the local Language with some other dialects like Kutchi, Marwari, Sindhi, and Urdu. Gujrati has over 25 million speakers

While Konkani is the mother tongue of most of the people of Goa, Marathi is also spoken in some regions due to the proximity of the state to Maharashtra and the small size of the state. Goa is not anonymous with some European and Asian languages like French, Portuguese and Russian. The high footfall of various national and international tourists has made English a commonly understood 2nd or 3rd language.

Dance and Music Artforms :

The Marathi dance forms are famous for the use brisk and bold movements of Lavni dance. Other notable dance forms are Dhangari Gaja, Tamasha, Koli dance, and Povadas dance.

The state of Maharashtra is the place where Bollywood originated and exists, this has led to the adoption of contemporary and newer dance forms by the locals, these dance forms are performed on auspicious occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi, Gudi Padva, Krishna Janamasthmi.

A notable dance festival that is a must to witness is the ELLORA Festival, The famous Ellora caves is the venue for this event where several classical dance forms are performed and celebrated, this is an initiative by the Maharashtrian tourism ministry.

The famous dance forms in Gujarat are the Garba and Dandiya nritya, These are performed every year for nine days in the Navratri festival, It is performed solo, duet, or in groups. A pair of wooden sticks called dandiya are used to synchronise taps of dandiya to the beats of the music, It is a lively dance where perfection of movements is not the focus.

Goa’s dance forms are the Foogdi and Dhangar dances. The music of goa is much influenced by the European migrators and various western instruments like violin, drums, guitar, trumpet, and piano are used.

Maharashtra is rich in its variety of music and singing, Bhaleri is a folk song that is sung for the peasants working in the fields

Cuisine :

Maharashtrian cuisine is Famous for its fast food culture, spicy snacks, and tangy drinks. Vada pao, Pao Bhaji, Poha, Modak, Gol Gappe, Misal Pao.

Some of the dishes are specific to some religious festivals and occasions like Tilgud ladoos are eaten on Makar Sankranti ( Kite Festival ), Modak is another sweet dish offered to the god Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi, Puran Poli is eaten on Holi ( Festival of colours ).

In Goa, the Christian community prepares special dishes on Christmas called the Pork vindaloo, sorpotel, and Fogeas ( a sweet dish ).

Gujarati cuisine is famous for the sweet taste in most of the food items like sweet daal, Undhyu, etc.. Other famous dishes are Khandvi, Handavo, Khaman, Khichu, Dabeli, Fafda, Khakhra, Ganthiya, Patra, and Lilo Chevdo. The famous Jalebi Fafda is the go-to morning snack for Gujaratis.

Costumes and Attires :

The Gujarati Ghagra choli is the famous traditional dress worn by the women of Gujarat, the simple draping style and cotton material allow for cooling while protecting from the sun in the hot climate, men wear Dhoti and kurta, Women also wear a lehenga on special occasions like festivals, ceremonies, and weddings. Young girls wear skirts and kurtas of vivid colours.

The clothes are weaved from brilliant coloured cotton threads making the dresses pop.

The traditional dress for men in Maharashtra is the Dhoti or Dhotar and a headgear called the Pheta and Sadara is worn on the torso. The women of Maharashtra wear a nine-yard long saree draped around called the Lugade or Nauwari saree. Men also wear a cap called the topi which is characteristic to the Marathi culture. Himroo and Mashru are some other forms saree worn in the region.

Goa’s most famous traditional dress is the Pano Bhaju, it is worn by women on special occasions, pano bhaju is essentialy a 9 yards long clothing material that is worn by draping around the body in ways influenced by Chinese and Persian. This dress is incomplete without traditional footwear and Jewellery.

Festivals :

In Maharashtra, the festivals are celebrated with great pomp and pride. Hundreds of people gather on streets for processions and community events. Tourists from all across the world come to witness the Krishna Janmashtami in Mumbai where a Team of people makes the human pyramid to reach the target earthen pot and get the prize money.

The Festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is also famous for its decorated god idol processions where the idols are then floated into the sea.

Gujarat is famous for its Rann Utsav which takes place every year in the Kutch region. Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti is another famous festival of Gujrat where people climb the terrace of their houses and fly kites, the kites compete with each other, and people enjoy snacks and bask in the sun in the chilly winter of January.