Art, Culture and Literature of Haryana
Overview
Haryana's cultural heritage is a vibrant blend of Vedic traditions, folk arts, and regional literary achievements that distinguish it from neighbouring states. Despite being carved out of Punjab in 1966, Haryana has maintained a distinct cultural identity rooted in its agrarian society, warrior traditions, and the legacy of the Kurukshetra region mentioned in the Mahabharata.
For HTET, questions on Haryana's art and culture typically appear in the Haryana GK section across all three levels. Examiners frequently test knowledge of folk dances, prominent literary figures, festivals, and traditional customs. Students must remember specific names, regional variations, and the cultural significance of each element rather than general descriptions.
Mastering this topic requires memorising key folk arts with their districts of origin, literary figures with their major works, and distinguishing features of Haryanvi festivals from their pan-Indian counterparts.
Key Concepts
- Haryanvi as a distinct dialect: Haryanvi (also called Bangaru) belongs to the Western Hindi group and has several sub-dialects including Ahirwati (southern Haryana), Bagri (north-western), Mewati (southern), and Khariboli (eastern).
- Saang tradition: The most important folk theatre of Haryana combining music, drama, dance, and social commentary — originated in the 19th century and remains central to Haryanvi cultural identity.
- Agrarian roots of culture: Most folk songs, dances, and festivals revolve around agricultural cycles, monsoon, harvest, and cattle rearing — reflecting the state's farming economy.
- Martial and wrestling heritage: Haryana's akhada (wrestling pit) tradition has produced numerous Olympic and international athletes; Bhiwani is called "Mini Cuba" for its boxing achievements.
- Religious syncretism: The culture blends Hindu traditions with Sufi influences, seen in the veneration of saints like Sheikh Chilli and the popularity of Sufi folk songs.
- Women-centric folk traditions: Many folk songs (especially Teej and Sawan songs) and dances like Ghoomar and Loor are performed exclusively by women, highlighting feminine perspectives in rural life.
Formulas / Key Facts
Literature and Literary Figures
| Figure | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Pandit Lakhmi Chand | Father of Haryanvi Saang; wrote 28+ Saangs including Padmavat, Harischandra, Nautanki |
| Surdas | 16th-century blind poet; composed "Sur Sagar"; associated with Sihi village, Faridabad |
| Baje Bhagat | Pioneer of Saang tradition; teacher of Lakhmi Chand |
| Pandit Mange Ram | Famous Saang artist; known for Satyavan-Savitri |
| Banarsi Das Chaturvedi | Modern literary figure; essayist and editor |
| Vishnu Prabhakar | Sahitya Akademi winner; wrote "Awaara Masiha" |
Folk Dances
| Dance | Description | Region/Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| Saang | Folk theatre with dance, music, dialogue | Entire Haryana; social/mythological themes |
| Ghoomar | Circular dance by women in colourful ghagras | Especially in Mewat; weddings |
| Loor | Young girls' dance during Holi | Bangar region |
| Dhamal | Fast-paced masculine dance with drums | Associated with Jogis; spring festivals |
| Khoria | Harvest celebration dance | Harvest season |
| Phag | Dance performed during Phalguna/Holi | Entire state |
| Chhathi | Performed on sixth day after childbirth | Post-childbirth celebration |
| Jhumar | Graceful women's dance | Weddings and festivals |
Folk Music Instruments
- Sarangi: Stringed instrument; staple of Saang performances
- Dholak/Dhol: Drum used in almost all folk performances
- Been: Wind instrument associated with snake charmers
- Chimta: Metal tongs used as percussion
- Noot/Algoza: Double flute; signature Haryanvi instrument
Major Fairs and Festivals
| Festival/Fair | Location/Time | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Gita Jayanti Mahotsav | Kurukshetra; November-December | Commemorates Bhagavad Gita revelation |
| Surajkund Crafts Mela | Faridabad; February | International craft fair since 1987 |
| Pinjore Heritage Festival | Pinjore; December | Cultural festival in Mughal gardens |
| Kartik Mela | Karnal; Kartik Purnima | Religious fair |
| Baba Shaikh Chilli Mela | Thanesar | Sufi shrine fair |
| Gogapir Mela | Bhiwani/Hisar | Snake-god worship |
| Teej | Sawan month | Women's festival for marital bliss |
| Gangaur | Chaitra month | Worship of Gauri (Parvati) |
Traditional Dress
- Men: Dhoti-kurta, pagri (turban), chadra (sheet)
- Women: Ghagra (long skirt), kurti, odhni (veil); Daaman (long shirt) in some regions
- Jewellery: Borla (forehead), Karnphool (ears), Hansli (neck), Bajuband (arm), Payal (anklets)
Traditional Cuisine
- Bajra roti with ghee, Churma, Khichdi, Kadhi, Besan masala roti, Bathua raita, Lassi, Malpua, Ghevar
Worked Examples
Q1: Who is known as the father of Haryanvi Saang?
Solution: Pandit Lakhmi Chand (1903-1945) of Janti Kalan village, Sonipat district, is called the father of Haryanvi Saang. He transformed Saang from simple folk drama into a sophisticated art form, composed over 28 Saangs on mythological and social themes, and his most famous works include Padmavat, Harischandra, and Puran Bhagat.
Q2: Which dance is performed exclusively by young unmarried girls during Holi in Haryana?
Solution: Loor is the dance performed by young unmarried girls during Holi. It is popular in the Bangar region and involves girls dancing in circles while singing songs about the spring season and their dreams of married life.
Q3: Surajkund Crafts Mela is held in which district and during which month?
Solution: Surajkund Crafts Mela is held in Faridabad district, typically during the first two weeks of February. Started in 1987, it showcases handicrafts from all Indian states and several foreign countries. Each year, one Indian state and one foreign country are featured as theme partners.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing Saang with Nautanki: Saang is the Haryanvi folk theatre tradition, while Nautanki is from Uttar Pradesh. Though similar, Saang has distinct Haryanvi dialect and musical styles.
- Attributing Surdas entirely to Uttar Pradesh: While Surdas is associated with Braj, his birthplace Sihi is in present-day Faridabad, Haryana — a frequently tested fact.
- Mixing up Loor and Ghoomar: Loor is performed by unmarried girls during Holi; Ghoomar is a married women's circular dance at weddings. Both involve circular movements but differ in performers and occasions.
- Forgetting district associations: Examiners specifically ask which dance/fair belongs to which district — memorise Surajkund-Faridabad, Pinjore-Panchkula, Saang-Panipat/Sonipat connections.
- Confusing Haryanvi with Punjabi culture: Despite shared history until 1966, Haryanvi Bhangra is different from Punjabi Bhangra; Haryana has Dhamal as its masculine dance equivalent.
Quick Reference
- Pandit Lakhmi Chand = Father of Saang; Janti Kalan, Sonipat
- Saang = Folk theatre; Loor = Girls' Holi dance; Ghoomar = Women's wedding dance
- Surajkund Mela = Faridabad, February; Gita Jayanti = Kurukshetra, Nov-Dec
- Algoza = Double flute; Sarangi = String instrument of Saang
- Surdas birthplace = Sihi village, Faridabad
- Haryanvi dialects: Ahirwati (south), Bagri (northwest), Mewati (south), Khariboli (east)