The Flowering of Regional Cultures Chapter Notes | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Introduction

The medieval period in India witnessed the emergence and flourishing of diverse regional cultures that were distinct from the central culture in and around Delhi. These regional cultures encompassed various aspects of life, including language, literature, art, music, dance, and more. This chapter will explore the rich tapestry of regional cultures that evolved during this period.

Language and Literature

Shift in Court Language

• Prior to the arrival of the Turks, Afghans, and Persians, Sanskrit was the court language in northern India.
• With the advent of the Turks, Persian replaced Sanskrit as the court language in the region.

Rise of Regional Languages

• The Bhakti movement played a pivotal role in the growth of regional languages during the medieval period.
• Bhakti saints preached in local languages to connect with the masses, leading to the development of languages such as Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali.

Marathi Literature

• Marathi language developed significantly due to contributions from Bhakti saint-poets like Namadeva and Tukaram.
• Jnaneshwar's commentary on the Bhagavad Gita is a renowned work in Marathi literature.
• Marathi also became the court language in some Deccan sultanates.

In Focus: Flowering of Rajput Literature

• The Rajputs, known for their bravery and chivalry, produced lyrical compositions celebrating the heroic deeds of their rulers between the 8th and 10th centuries.
• Many of these compositions were written in languages like Hindi, Braj Bhasha, Awadhi, Maithili, and Bhojpuri.
• Key works that reflected Rajput valor included Chand Bardai's "Prithviraj Raso" in Braj Bhasha and Malik Muhammad Jayasi's "Padmavat" in Awadhi.

Literature in South India

• In the southern part of India, languages like Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam flourished during the medieval period.
• Important literary works in these languages include "Kavirajamarga" (Kannada), "Srivalsa" and "Amuktamalyada" (Telugu), and "Ramavatharam" (Tamil).

In Focus: Manipravalam

• Malayalam, primarily spoken in Kerala, evolved from Tamil.
• In the 10th century, the Namboodiris (Kerala Brahmins) developed Manipravalam, a highly Sanskritized version of Malayalam.
• Early literary works in Kerala were written in Manipravalam, but efforts were made to bring back Malayalam in its original form.
• Ezhuthachan, a 16th-century Malayalam Bhakti poet, translated the Hindu epics into a simplified form of Malayalam.

Paintings

• India's tradition of painting continued during the medieval era, with early paintings focused on religious themes.
• The Mughal era witnessed a revival of painting, with the Mughal school of miniature paintings founded by Persian painters Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad.
• Regional schools of miniature paintings, including Kangra, Rajasthani, and Deccani, emerged, blending Mughal techniques with local traditions.

Music

• India had a rich tradition of folk and classical music.
• Musical forms and instruments from the Middle East, such as the sarangi and rabab, became part of Indian music during the medieval period.
• Two distinct music styles, Hindustani (North India) and Carnatic (South India), evolved.
• Within the Hindustani school, various regional schools (gharanas) developed, each with its unique style.
• In South India, Carnatic music thrived and remained largely unaffected by Middle Eastern influences.

Dance

• Classical dance performances in India were traditionally held in temples and revolved around religious and mythological themes.
• In medieval India, pre-existing dance forms continued to flourish, and new classical forms emerged.
• Some classical dance forms that developed during this period include Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Sattriya, and Kathak.

In Focus: Kathak

• Kathak derives its name from the Sanskrit word "katha" (stories).
• Originally, Kathak was performed by traveling bards (kathakas) who told stories accompanied by music and hand gestures.
• The Bhakti movement transformed Kathak into a court dance under Mughal rulers, leading to the development of three distinct schools: Lucknow, Jaipur, and Benares.

Case Study: Bengal

• Bengal, under the rule of the Shahi sultans, made significant contributions to Indian culture.
• In language and literature, Bengali developed as a mix of Sanskrit and Prakrit, with works like Jayadeva's "Gitagovinda" representing early Bengali poetry.
• Persian became the official language under the Mughals, but Bengali continued to incorporate Persian and Arabic words.
• The Bhakti movement also influenced Bengali literature with notable works like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's poetry and Mukunda Chakravarti's "Chandimangal."
• In architecture, Bengal used burnt bricks and terracotta as building materials, resulting in well-decorated temples and mosques, with the Adina Masjid in Pandua being a significant example.

Elsewhere

• During the Mughal rule in India, Europe experienced the Renaissance, a cultural movement that sought to revive the classical culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
• The Renaissance emphasized individual figures, realism, perspective, and human anatomy in art and architecture, with notable artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, and Leonardo da Vinci contributing to this period.