#ashokasays Did you know 276:
When you see the the "homes" or should I say "massive homes" (bungalows
seems to be miniature) built by some of the Marwari merchants in 18th
and 19th centuries, in Shekhawati, Rajasthan, I am sure you'll be
awestruck.
Shekhawati is a semi-arid historical region located in the northeast part of Rajasthan.
Far less visited than other parts of Rajasthan, the Shekhawati region is most famous for its extraordinary painted
havelis
(traditional, ornately decorated residences which enclose one or more
courtyards), highlighted with dazzling, often whimsical, murals.
The havelis of Shekhawati are not just huge, rather they are a beauty
to adore. The havelis, popularly had a carved wooden gateway as the
main entrance that opened into a courtyard. This courtyard again lead
to another courtyard. Larger havelis are double storeyed and have upto
four courtyards. The windows of these havelis are richly carved and
glow with exquisite mirror work. These latticed windows were the means
by which the Rajasthani women viewed the happenings of the outer
world.
The highlight of the havelis are the frescoes that are seen almost
everywhere - on the facades, gateways, courtyard walls, parapets and
ceilings. The frescoes have varying themes that reflect the changing
taste and lifestyle of the people from 1750 (earlier fresco paintings)
and 1930 (later fresco paintings). Earlier themes like mythological,
local legends, hunting scenes gradually gave way to more modern themes
like motor cars, aeroplanes, ships, telephones, gramaphones, trains
and balloons.
The frescoes seem to narrate an interesting tale in a colourful
manner. The entire Shekhawati region radiates with such frescoes and
it is precisely this reason that it has been bestowed with the
sobriquet of an open air art gallery.
Today, a majority of havelis of the region are private property and
as such not open for public viewing. Nonetheless, there are quiet a
lot that are open for public visits as well. Some of the famous havelis
Goenka Haveli - The Mahavir Prasad Goenka
Haveli in Fatehpur is considered by many as having the best paintings
of the region. Therefore a must see.
Poddar Haveli - This haveli in Nawalgarh is
now a museum displaying the wedding costumes of different communities
of Rajasthan.
Vishnunath Keria Haveli - This haveli is again
in Fatehpur and has some interesting as well as hilarious paintings -
King George and Queen Victoria in an Indian backdrop and Krishna
playing a gramaphone for Radha's entertainment.
There are many more and if I continue, it may just not end for a few pages. You can visit
http://www.shekhawati.in/ to know more about this place.
INCREDIBLE BHARATHA
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