UPSC Prelims 2017 Q70: Art & Culture – Festivals, Crafts & Folk Traditions
Consider the following pairs: Traditions - Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival - Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra - Gonds
3. Wari - Warkari - Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) None of the above
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Traditions and communities
| Pair | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Chaliha Sahib Festival - Sindhis | Correct | A 40-day festival of the Sindhi community in honour of Jhulelal |
| 2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra - Gonds | Incorrect | A pilgrimage of Uttarakhand (Garhwal and Kumaon) for Nanda Devi, held once in 12 years |
| 3. Wari-Warkari - Santhals | Incorrect | The Warkaris of Maharashtra walk to Pandharpur to worship Vithoba |
Where the other communities live:
| Community | Region |
|---|---|
| Gonds | Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra) |
| Santhals | Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha |
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only Chaliha Sahib is rightly matched, with the Sindhis.
- (b) Incorrect. Neither pair fits; these traditions are not of the Gonds or Santhals.
- (c) Incorrect. Wari-Warkari belongs to Maharashtra's Warkaris, not the Santhals.
- (d) Incorrect. Pair 1 is correctly matched, so 'None of the above' cannot be right.
Key point
Chaliha Sahib - Sindhis (Jhulelal); Nanda Raj Jaat - Uttarakhand (Nanda Devi, every 12 years); Wari - Warkaris of Maharashtra (Pandharpur).
Remember
Chaliha Sahib = Sindhis; Wari = Maharashtra.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every yatra in the hills belongs to a tribal community.
- Not linking Wari with the Bhakti saints Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram.
- Forgetting that Jhulelal is the patron deity of the Sindhis.
Exam tip
Match the tradition to its region first: Sindh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra. Then check the community.
Sources
- Ministry of Culture — Intangible Cultural Heritage of India
- Uttarakhand Tourism — Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra