CULTURAL
HERITAGE OF JAMMU
The Dogras are known for their valor and have won a name in many battles
fought by them. But their cultural heritage as well as other aspects of
their life are lesser known to people outside this region and there has
been a deep rooted feeling among the people of Jammu that they have little
cultural or historical heritage to boast of as there was no published material
or literature available on this subject.
Infact,
Dogras have a rich cultural heritage, own language since ancient
times. Besides, ancient shrines and old monuments scattered all
over the Jammu region are evidence of the Dogra history. Dogras
had their own language and script. The original script known as
'Ganmat' was prevalent throughout the region and, irrespective of
caste or religion, all the Dogras used to correspond and maintain
account books in this very script. Dogri is mentioned as one of
the languages of India by the famous poet Amir Khusro in his "Nuh
Sepehr" which shows that even before 1325 AD it was recognized
as one of the languages in India.
Later,
the script was modified and brought on the lines of Devnagri script and
at one stage, Dogri became one of the official languages of the state
, the other being Persian. Dogri is a very sweet language and a Dogri
song truly speaks about it in the words-" Mithrhi-e-Dogren Di Boli-Te
Khand Mithe Log Dogre" (Sweet the Dogri Language- Sweeter the Dogras).
Another version says that Dogri word is derived from the word Devgiri
in the past and the inhabitants of this place were Nagas and Pishachas,
who would migrate from the valley of Kashmir to the outer hill slopes
i.e. present Jammu, in tune with bi-annual migration of the present day
nomads.
CUSTOMS
AND BELIEFS OF THE DOGRAS
Dogras
from the very look have their own peculiarity. The Kandi people
are generally rough and tough. Whereas the hilly people are shy
and backward. All of them are simple, straightforward and terse
in their dealings but now, with the modernization in the society
and introduction of education even in far-flung areas, the Dogras
are also changing themselves. The old Dogra culture is fading away
with the passage of time but still we see the age old customs and
beliefs in rural areas.
A
turban and churidaar pyjaama is the famous Dogra dress. The middle
class people would wear a loose turban on the head. Women wear loose
"Kurtas" and colorful chooridaar "suthan" of
Moughal style. The younger ones all wear blue trousers, which fit
very close to leg below knee, from the calf to ankle while they
fill in leg numerous folds. The women at home wear a long white
cloth around their body called "giddi" in local tradition.
This is still prevalent among old ladies and in the womenfolk.
Dogras
have a noble way of greeting. When Brahmin meets a Brahmin, they
will greet each other with "Paripouna" while Rajputs greet
each other with "Jaideva". The elders will bless the brides
with "Jindi Rou, Budh Suhagan ho, Satputri ho" (long live,
enjoy married life till old age and have seven sons). Khatris and
Mahajans greet with "Pairipouna". Brahmins are always
looked with high esteem. Lower caste Hindus wish others with "Garib
nawaz Maharaj". "Namaste ji " is prevalent among
educated class migrated to cities and other states are again adopting
Dogra traditions happily.
The
death of an old woman or a man is an interesting incident to note.
Such death is more of a celebration than mourning. It is attributed
to the fact that the dead persons have seen all the pleasures of
life and thus should leave the world happily. A happy send off with
band and music is given to him/her. The relatives would join this
occasion with colorful dresses and community meals would be served
to them. Some people would receive token sums of money from the
dependents as their share from the property left by the dying elder
of the family. In spite of all this, some close relatives would mourn
the death with full grief and sympathy for the departing soul.
There
is no doubt that Dogras once inhabited the whole of the northern
India from Poonch to the area bordering Nepal and their role in the
history is an important chapter. Though now, only Jammu and Himachal
Pradesh have Dogra population but their culture, traditions, customs
and beliefs are old and in some aspects are identical to those of
other Pahari areas once inhabited by Dogras. The sweet Dogras are
known for the bravery. The rich Dogra culture has many peculiarities
and like other people, Dogras too have their own traditions, customs
and beliefs.
The
Dogra marriage is an unusual and interesting affair to witness.
Prior
to independence, the girls and boys were married in infancy. Generally
the marriage age for girls and boys was ten to fourteen and fifteen
to eighteen respectively but Maharaja Hari Singh who introduced
certain reforms in 1940, banned the marriage in infancy and fixed
matrimonial age for girls at sixteen and boys eighteen years.
The
Dogras were staunch believers in caste system and even a man devoid of
virtues of his caste would enjoy the privilege and respect while the poor
were hated and looked down upon. The Harijan and other low caste Hindus
were subjected to humiliating treatment by the upper caste Hindus. Age
old backwardness and orthodoxy had given birth to some good and bad omens
and superstitions. Altruism was too much in Jammu where the people would
not take even the names of certain towns and villages out of antipathy
towards their inhabitants. For example: Jammu is called Barha Shehar,
Samba-Sheeten Aala Shehar, Akhnoor-Darya Aala Shaher or Parla Shehar,
R S Pura-Nawanshehar etc. Similarly, Dogras still believe that journey,
towards hills on Tuesday and Wednesdays is not free from hazards and troubles.
Some people say: MANGAL BUDDH JO JAYE PAHAR; JITTI BAAJI AYAE HAAR.
DOGRA
DRESSES AND JEWELRY
Dogras, undoubtedly are known for their arts and their velour. At
the same time they lead a simple life. All this is reflected in the clothes
they wear. Now the Dogras, like other people of the country, have also
adopted Western dress so suited to the present day hectic life in place
of the typical Dogra dress which was in keeping with a serene and calm
life which they lead in the past.
The Choodidaar Pyajama
The typical Dogra dress consists
of close fitting trousers known as the "chooridaar pyjaama'
or the 'ghuttanna' with folds from the ankles to the calves. It
was fastened around the waist by a skillfully made chord of cotton
threads.
Kurta
The kurta with narrow sleeves serves the purpose of
underwear. It is made up of the handspun khadi.
Khilka, 'Mokla Kurta'
It is made up of the fine country-made
khasa with broad sleeves and broad girth and is worn over the underwear
with a 'phatovie' (jacket) of khadi in between. It is found around
the neck with a thread clasp and a thread hook. In winter a 'posteen'
or 'choga' (cloak) is worn over it. It is also fastened with hooks
in the front.
The
Head Wear
It consists of twenty-four yards long and about two
inches wide strip of muslin piece tightly bound around the head.
On it is bound a six yards long turban of fine muslin cloth . Round
the neck a three yards long muslin piece is worn with both ends
hanging on the chest. It serves the purpose of a handkerchief also.
In winter a Kashmiri shawl is worn over it.
The
Dogra Women's Dress
Dogras wore Khadi long before the khadi movement was started by Gandhi.
The most important part of the dowry were the items of 'saalu' and the
spinning wheel. The 'saalu' is a covering made up of a piece of khadi
cloth dyed bold red in 'kusumba' and was embroidered in beautiful design
of flower to be woven by the bride after marriage.
Head
Dress
An embroidered piece of cloth of six yards long serves as the covering
for the head which falls to the ankles.
Ghagra
A loose flowing dress of linen or silk with numerous folds which
is tied around the waist with a silken or cotton chord. It is worn over
the tight fitting 'suthan' or trousers of silk chintz susi cloth. It imparts
matron like and dignified appearance to the wearer. Dogra women in this
dress are paragons of womanhood, diffusing an aroma of modesty, chastity,
strength and tenderness all around.
Bodice or "Choli"
It is an artistically brocaded or embroidered close fitting jacket
covering the upper part of the body and tied with the help of strings
of cotton or silk.
The
Dogra Jewelry
The
custom of wearing personal ornaments is as old as a man. The savage
man put pieces of bone, wood, beads, iron or bronze in his ears,
lips or nose. Modern man probably made gold and silver jewelry soon after they discovered these metals. The attractive color of
gold and the ease with which it can be molded, has always made
it the chief metal used for jewelry.
Dogras
also produced gold jewelry of great beauty, using only simple
tools and
skill of their own hands. Among Dogras 'jewelry' forms an important
part of the costume. They produce elaborate pieces which are worn
by women with aplomb. Dogra jewelry is often remarkable for its
delicate design and splendor.
ORNAMENTS OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(i) Mangal Sutra. It is the symbol of wed-lock and so has great
importance as an ornament among the Hindu women. It is generally
made of one tola (11.59 grams) of gold.
(ii) Tikka: It is worn over the forehead and may be triangular or
round pendulum which is tied with a black thread that goes back
through the center of the head and tied with hair with a pin clip.
(iii) Jhumke:
These are gold ear rings and sometimes called 'Balis' which hang
from each ear weigh about one tola.
(iv) Nathan:It
is a larger ring of one tola which passes through the small hole
of the left nostril. It is round in shape.
(v) Har: It is worn round the neck and is generally made of five tolas of
gold.
(vi) Loung:
It (or, the nose pin) is worn in the nose.
(viii) Nama:
It is a fan shaped gold pendent which is worn in the neck , and
is tied with the help of colored threads.
ORNAMENTS OF THE ARM:
(i) Bangles: Each bangle consists of half a tola and two bangles
are worn in both the arms. Some may wear depending upon the economic position.
Green and red glass bangles are considered to be auspicious for a married
woman.
(ii)Gokhru
or Kadas:
They are hand crafted solid gold, thick bangles which are snugly fitted
to the wrist and are closed with the help of a screw.
(iii) Chhapp or Rings: There are rings for the fingers which are generally
studded with pearls, sapphire or any other jewel. A bride should
have three rings in each hand.
ORNAMENTS
OF THE FEET:
(i) Paazeb: There are silver anklets called paazeb worn on the
two feet. It is one of the must feet ornament of a Dogra bride. There
are also silver rings, two or three worn in the fingers of each feet.
The
Dogra men do not wear any gold ornament. Earlier they used to wear a circular
ring in each ear but now it has altogether been discarded.
|
