The culture of Gorakhpur is as unique as this historic city itself. The
heart of spiritual activity across religions, this city has held sway
for centuries as being a cultural stronghold of Indian traditions.
Despite modernization and the slow inflow of modern ideas, Gorakhpur
still has, at its heart, the historic and cultural values that have
given India a distinct identity of its own. It is no wonder, then that
Gorakhpur has and still remains one of India’s most culturally relevant
cities.
Art,
music and entertainment are an integral part of Gorakhpur. Since this
city is predominantly a place that nurtures religious and historical
values, a visit to Gorakhpur will reveal much about Indian traditions
that have long since dwindled down in most other parts of the country.
Gorakhpur’s Cultural Highlights
Gorakhpur,
the city in which history thrives eternally, is a cultural hub. Music,
dance, festivities and handicrafts are found aplenty here. Gorakhpur has
produced many artistes, literary stalwarts and famous people who have
made their mark here and added to the fame of the city, right from the
time of the famous sixteenth century poet Kabir down to Urdu poet Firaq
Gorakhpuri. Some other famous personalities of Gorakhpur are writer Prem Chand, Padmashree awardee Dr. Vidya Niwas Misra,
singer Daler Mehndi and lyricist Jafer Gorakhpuri.
This
city is also known for its numerous looms that produce some of the
nation’s best handloom products. These symbols of self-reliance and
national franchise have been in existence for decades and have been the
source of income for many small scale industries. Each year, these looms
produce thousands of traditional yet beautiful towels, bed-linen,
pillow covers, curtains and table cloths. With skills passed on through
generations, Gorakhpur has preserved tradition and culture over decades
of change.
In
recent times, though, the cost of raw material has shot up and
subsidies have been slashed. Due to this, many handlooms have been shut
down and weavers have been forced to opt for other jobs. The Government
is working to preserve India's culture that is intrinsic in handloom
products and the results are to be seen in the near future.
Preserving
India’s glorious past is the Terracotta Town, a small group of villages
that are dedicated to art forms in Terracotta. Lying at a distance of
around 15 kilometres from Gorakhpur City, Terracotta Town has received
International recognition and its artisans have received numerous awards
for their outstanding work. Terracotta products from this region have
made highlights for their originality, skilful design and their
portrayal of Indian culture at its best.
Traditional
music has also had a stronghold in Gorakhpur. In view of this, there
are numerous centres where traditional music is taught and concerts are
held throughout the year. Folk songs and dances are a popular part of
Gorakhpur's tradition and various festivals have music as their
highlight. There are some folk songs specific to Gorakhpur, that are
sung during different festivals and seasons. For example, the Alha,
Barahmasi and the Kajari are sung during monsoons and winter nights. The
Kaharwa is sung at Diwali and the Phaag is sung during Holi. Singing
and dancing is also part of the daily culture of the people of
Gorakhpur, who, after a long day's work, use this as a means of relaxing
and unwinding. Some music groups have been focused at keeping this
culture alive at Gorakhpur. One such group is the Lion’s Music Group,
which has been around for 25 years and is still thriving.
Gorakhpur
has also had its contribution toward sports such as Kabbaddi, Cricket,
Football and Kushti. A number of popular sportspersons have arisen from
Gorakhpur. Some of these are Narendra Hirwani, Prem Maya, Syed Modi,
Panne Lal Yadav, Ram Ashray Yadav, Janardan Singh, Janardan Yadav and
Chandra Vijay Singh.
While speaking about the culture of
Gorakhpur, one cannot forget the festivities that are the highlight of
this city. The Khichari Mela that is held for a month each year from
January 14 onwards is one of Gorakhpur's main festivals. Held at the
Gorakhnath Temple, thousands of devotees and visitors gather here each
year for this occasion. There are a number of fairs and festivities that
appeal to young and old alike that are carried out throughout the
duration of the festival.
The
Ramleela procession that is organized on the eve of the Dussehera
festival is also carried out in a grand yet traditional style and draws
tourists from far and wide. Holi, too, is celebrated with much gusto and
residents of Gorakhpur and visitors alike enjoy reveling in traditions
that live on in vibrant colour.
Gorakhpur’s culture is vast and
varied and preserves the traditions of old with a touch of the new. The
uniqueness of this city lies in the fact that, being a gateway to
various religions and cultures, there is a subtle unification of this
diversity. Standing as a memorial to India’s past glories, Gorakhpur is
certainly an interesting place to visit.