Page 436 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

434  WESTERN INDIA

Rural Life and Art in Kutch

Kutch is home to several pastoral communities, many of
them semi-nomadic herders of camels and sheep. Among
them are the Rabaris, whose round houses (bhoongas)
with conical roofs are a distinctive feature of the Kutch
landscape. These communities are skilled in a variety
of crafts, the vibrant hues and forms of their creations
adding beauty to their stark surroundings. Anjar, which
used to be the crafts centre of Kutch, was tragically
destroyed in the January 2001 earthquake, as were many
of the crafts villages near Bhuj. Despite this, the intrepid
craftspeople continue to work and sell their creations A typical toadstool-shaped Rabari
at shops in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi. house in Kutch
The Rabari Bhoonga
The bhoongas of the Rabaris, superbly designed for the hot, arid climate of Kutch, are also
structurally solid. Most of them withstood the 2001 earthquake. A typical cluster of bhoongas,
with their beautifully decorated interiors displaying the artistic skills of the Rabaris, can be seen
at Tunda Vandh, 15 km (9 miles) east of Mandvi.
The otla is a platform surrounding
Bhoongas are Shed for the house and shaded by the thatched
built of hard roof. Women do embroidery and meet
packed mud livestock their neighbours here.
and thatch.

The roof is conical,
with a deep overhang
to keep the walls cool.
The parasol-shaped roof
frame is made of wood, Central
covered with tightly courtyard
woven thatch.

Small windows,
set into the thick
walls, are beautifully
embellished with brass
appliqué patterns. Entrance
The thick walls, tiny windows and thatched
roofs provide excellent insulation against the
harsh desert climate. The circular shape helps
the smooth circulation of air inside. Storage jars and
chests, for grain,
milk or clothes,
are made of clay,
and decorated
by the women
with fine bird,
animal and
geometric motifs.
The circular living space is plastered with white
clay, covered with relief patterns and studded with
tiny mirrors to provide more light to its dark, cool
interior. Niches and shelves built into the walls
provide storage for items of everyday use.

434-435_EW_India.indd 434 26/04/17 11:47 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.3)
Date 18th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm