BHUNGA : Inside & Out

BHUNGA I N S I D E

A N D

O U T

SHREYA PATEL 1

BHUNGA INSIDE AND OUT

DOCUMENTED:

SHREYA PATEL TGD 2017 GUIDED:

CARMINA FERNANDeS SONAL CHAUHAN

Copyright Š NID 2019 For private circulations only.

All rights reserved under International Copyright Š 2018 convention.

No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the concerned authorities.

Sources: Mentioned at the end unless otherwise stated Photographs taken by Pooja Sawant Shreya Patel Written and documented by Shreya Patel Toy and Game Design Batch-2017 Craft Documentation National Institute of Design Guide Ms. Carmina Fenandes Ms. Sonal Chauhan Printed at Chaap Digital Print Studio, Ahmedabad.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to extend my gratitude towards my faculties

Ms. Sonal Chauhan and Ms.

Carmina Fernandes

and

Mr.

Shekhar

Bhattacharjee, for their guidance and valuable insights in the process of craft documentation.

I would like to express my appreciation for the craftsmen of Zura, Hodko and Bhirandiyara village in Kutch district and the whole community whose skills and sensitivity towards craft have enriched my knowledge. They helped me out in every possible way.

I and

am thankful to Alabhai from Arjunbhai

“Arjun

Handicrafts“

Zura from

Bhirandiyara and their families for their time and efforts.

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Bhunga Inside and out

Dedicated to the people of Kutch 7

CONTENTS Chapter 1 : Gujarat

Kutch Banni

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a. Formation

of Banni

b. Climate

c. Flora Fauna

d. Communities

Chapter 2: People (Meghwal Marwada) a. Food

19

b. Dress

c. Ornaments

d. Marriages

e. Crafts

Chapter 3: Bhungas

a. Evolution of Bhunga

b. Plan and Elevation

25

c. Materials

d. Construction

Process

e. Bhunga in

different season

f. During

Earthquake

Chapter 4: Mattikaam a. Materials

39

b. Process of Dough making

c. Pattern Making

d. Motif’s

e. Mattikaam in

Furniture

Chapter 5 : Present Scenario

57

Conclusion

60

Glossary

62

Biblography

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1.

GUJARAT

Bhunga from Inside and out

Gujarat is a flourishing state with cultural diversity. It is vibrant with its true colors of rich heritage and cultural traditions. Dating back to history with the Harappan civilization, the state becomes a confluence of many religions – Hinduism, Islam, Jainism and Buddhism. The Gujarati culture blends in arts, beliefs, customs, traditions, institutions, inventions, language, technology and values.

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Map of India showing Gujrat

Gujarat

is a state in Western India. It is the sixth largest Indian state by area and the ninth largest state by population. Its capital city is Gandhinagar, while its largest city is Ahmedabad.

Bhunga Inside and out

Gujarat was one of the main central areas of the Indus Valley Civilization. It contains ancient metropolitan cities from the Indus Valley such as Lothal, Dholavira, and Gola Dhordo. Lothal is believed to be one of the world’s first seaports.

Gujarat borders Pakistan’s Tharparkar, Badin and Thatta districts of Sindh province to the northwest, is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the southwest, the state of Rajasthan to the northeast, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and by Maharashtra, Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the south.

Bottom image shows People enjoying Garba

Image on the Left side Map of Gujarat

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KUTCH district, a peninsula, is situated between Sindh and Saurashtra, in the north western part of the state. It is an ancient land possessed of great antiquity, which takes its name from its geographical characteristics and topographical features resembling a tortoise.

The Kutch Peninsula is divided into nine sub micro regions, namely, Rann of Kutch, Dungar Upland, Khadir Island, Banni Lowland, Rapar Stony Waste, Sathsaida Bet,Coastal Plain, Bhuj Upland and Creek Zone on the basis of topography, climate, geology, soils and natural vegetation.

Kutch is ancient land. The Land is occupied by various races and tribes that came from the north and east since ancient times. During the period of known history it has from time to time come under the sway of various dynasties that exercised its authority over Sindh and Gujarat Bhunga Inside and out

BANNI Banni grasslands form a belt of arid grassland ecosystem on the outer southern edge of the desert of the marshy salt flats of Rann of Kutch. It covers an area of 3847 sq km. This area is absolutely flat; the altitude only ranges between 3 metres to 5 metres above sea level. More than two thirds of the area of Banni is high in salinity.

Left Hand side Image: Map of Kutch District

Image below shows Migratory birds GREATER- FLAMINGOES in Kutch

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FORMATION OF BANNI REGION The word ‘Banni’ comes from Hindi word ‘banai’, meaning made. The land here was formed from the sediments that were deposited by the Indus and other rivers over thousands of years. Old villagers from this region say that before the 1819 Rann of Kutch earthquake, the river Indus flowed right through banni and the local farmers reaped a rich harvest of crops like red rice and sindhi chookha, since the earthquake of 1819 the river Indus changed its course and now flows through Sindh in neighbouring country of Pakistan effectively turning this entire region arid.

CLIMATE The climate of the district is by and large very dry and hot during the summer and cold during the winter except coastal areas. The monsoon in this district is generally accompanied by the gusty winds. It receive scanty rainfall during the monsoon period. Average minimum and maximum temperature of the district during the year 2001 to 2010 is 9.97 degree centigrade and 42.01 degree centigrade respectively.

Below Image shows sunrise in Birandiyara village in Banni

Bhunga Inside and out

FLOURA FAUNA The Banni is home to great biological diversity, having 37 grass species, 275 bird species, and domesticated animals, like Banni Buffalo, Kankrej Cattle, Sheep & Goat, Horses and Camel, as well as wildlife. Banni grassland also support at least three species of threatened plants, three species of reptiles, five species of birds and five species of mammals. Banni Grassland having numerous large, medium and small sized wetlands attracts migratory birds to breed and rest in winter.

Above Image shows Indian Wild Asses in Wild Ass Santuary in Banni grasslands

Communities Banni grassland is peculiar to the Rann of Kutch, Maldhari (cattle breeders) hamlets, home to the Halaypotra, Meghwals, Hingora, Hingorja, Jat and Mutwa communities.

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2.

People

Bhunga Inside and out

Meghwal Marvada Meghwals Marwada people originally came from Marwar in Rajasthan. Ancestor of this community migrated from the Sindh region which is now in Pakistan.

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The community moved to Tarparkar in Sindh in search of work around 700 years ago. Another migration brought them to Kutch with Maldhari’s. Marwada Meghwals are Hindu and yet strongly influenced by Muslim Neighbours.

Men work with leather, the leather product includes embroidered mojadis (foot wear), hand fans, mirror frames, wall pieces, and laptop bags, and many more are made with traditional skills. The women in the family do the Embroidery work.

Image on the left shows Meghwal Marwada women and girl having their lunch

Food The Meghwals staple food is Bajra and Jowar rotlo. The rotlo is thick with ghee spread on it. They have Gud (Jaggery) and Ghee with every meal. The vegetables they had to buy from the local bazaar in the villages as there is no agriculture in this region. They end their meal with a glass of Chass (Buttermilk).

Masala bhaat (Spiced rice), Meethi jeera Bhaat (Sweet Rice) and Laadavo are the dishes made on the special occasion.

Bhunga Inside and out

Women of Bhirandiyara Village

Attire The attire of men in this community is white salwar kurta with a gumcha. The Older men also wear a white pagdi with dhoti kurta. The women wears ghaghra with long embroidered Kanjari (kurta). The embroidery is introduced to young girls everyday after their school.

Ornaments Meghwal Marwada married woman wear an elaborate gold nose ring called “Velado”. It is a sign of marriage and worn only on special occasions. Women wear beadwork chokers on the neck, silver ‘Varlo’, silver chain with ‘Tajvi’, ‘Chuda’ and ‘Bangari’ (Bangles) and ‘Silver Kadi’ from Bhuj.

Unmarried girls wear a ‘Haar’ silver necklace with leaf-shaped pendant.

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d. Marriages The marriages takes place within the community. The groom’s family will choose the girl with good embroidery and craft skills which describes her intelligence.

The girl makes or use to make her own dresses for the marriage with embroidery.

A display is kept on a khath cot to show all her craft qualities and embroidery skills in the marriage.

e. Crafts Leather Work: When a Maldhari’s cattle died, the Meghwals converted the raw hides into leather. The Meghwals gave new life to waste, transforming it into a product of utility.

Now a days they purchase the leather from the main market in Ahmedabad.

They make Mojadi, sapatiyo, bags, purse, keychain etc.

Bhunga Inside and out

Embroidery: The Embroidery is done by the women. They have different styles and motifs.

They use mirrors in their embroidery. Each girl is taught embroidery at a very young age as early as 4 or 5 yrs.. The women only wears embroidery clothes not men.

The embroidery are Khudi Tebha, Kambiro, Pakko Mukko.

Image is of bead jewellary

Women of Hodka village doing Embroidery

Bead work : The women makes beads jewelry.

The ‘Akhiyan’ the face cover for brides and ‘Ser’ the face cover for groom used in marriages are also made by bead work.

The Indoni and Mangal sutra are also of Bead work.

Mattikaam (Mud Mirror): Mattikaam is done to decorate the walls of bhunga from inside. The mirrors enhance the light in the room by reflecting sunlight and the white color makes it look more spacious and brighter.

Image is of tile of Mattikaam

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3.

Bhunga

Bhunga Inside and out

Local craftsman Mr. Veljibhai Marvada said after the 1819 earthquake in the Kutch region building craftsman developed the circular house-form called ‘Bhunga’, traditional mud houses. They are circular houses with Thatched roof. It’s a centuries old construction style in harmony with the environment and marked by mud floors and walls, tapering thatch roofs. The place where the Meghwal families stay together in multiple bhunga’s is called Meghwalvaas.

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Bhunga in different season The traditional Bhunga is considered an engineering marvel as it can withstand severe winds, dust storms and seismic activity. The materials use in the construction of bhunga’s keep the interior cool during the hot season and warm in cold season.

Above Image is of Bhungas in Hodka Village

Image on the right is of the Inside of Bhunga showing Khapatis and Vali’s used for the roof and Mud work for decoration

Bhunga during Earthquake Corners are the weaker parts against lateral forces of an earthquake. since there are no corners in Bhunga, it makes the structure more stable in earthquake.

Earthquake imparts lateral forces on the structure.

Due to the circular plan of a bhunga, one half part of Bhunga always reacts as an arch against the forces applied from any direction that the earthquake waves hit the structure.. Thus the bhunga uses maximum advantage against lateral forces of an earthquake.

Bhunga Inside and out

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Evolution Of Bhunga Meghwal Marwada people migrated in search of work. The people use to construct their houses by the materials they found in nature. The evolution is seen in the materials used in the construction of Bhunga but the structure mostly changed from temporary to permanent Bhunga’s.

Bawad ni Bhungi Bawad is a Babul tree.

They use babul sticks because it was easily available in the surrounding.

Matti no Bhungo Matti no bhungo are the Mud bricks Bhunga, which we can see in most of the villages now a days.

Bhunga Inside and out

Now-a-days the Bhunga are constructed by using cement but the structure remains the same.

Image on the left is of a Bhunga in Bhirandiyara village

Chan Matti Thipi The people started coating the Bawad ni bunngi by using the mixture of clay (matti) and cow dung coating, which was available in the surroundings.

Pathar na Bhunga People used Kala Dungar, nearby mountain’s stone and built bhunga.

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Plan and Elevation

of Bhunga Bhungas are circular in plan, with cylinderical shaped walls and topped with conical roof. The inner diameter of bhunga is typically between 3m to 6m. It has three openings one door and two windows

Fig: Elevation Of Bhunga

a : Thatched/Tile roof b: Vertical Wooden Post c: Vertical Wooden Post d: Window

Bhunga Inside and out

e: Masonary Walls f: Floor Level g: Ground Level h: Wall Extension

Fig: Plan Of Bhunga

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CHIKANI MATTI

Bhunga Inside and out

GANDO BAWADO

GAAY NU GOBAR

Materials used in construction of Bhunga

Materials of the Bhunga are easily available in the environment of Banni region. The Authentic materials used were Chikani Matti (clay) and cow/ camel/horse dung for the walls and flooring. Gando Bawado (Babul) tree, Vaas (Bamboo) is used for the roof.

The construction of Bhunga cost nothing in the past, as they had no money.

In todays scenario cement and bricks are used for the construction because the process is fast and takes less time but cement makes the bhunga cool in every season.

VAAS

33

d. Construction process of Bhunga A trench is dung in a circle for the foundation for the construction of bhunga.

A mixture of Chikni matti (Clay) and cow dung with little water is mixed, a stiff mud is made.

A large lump is roughly moulded into the shape of a huge egg.

A row of these mud eggs are laid neatly side by side and pressured together.

Bhunga Inside and out

Another layer is laid on the top, the sides are smoothenned so that the holes and cracks disappear.

Openings of doors and windows are made.

The walls are plastered with the mixture of cow dung and water called lippan. The women of the house do this process.

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Adi (the horizonntal beam) is placed on the wall, perpendicular to the door’s axis.

The ends of the beam slightly rest on the raised portion of the wall and fixed with pegs.

Patli (the vertical kingpost) rest on the middle of the adi.

The Mann (cone) is fixed on the top of the kingpost.

The vali (joist) are fixed at the top of the mann (cone) with a kathi (rope).

Bhunga Inside and out

Khapatis (Culms of slipt bamboo) fill the span between valis (joists) and are fixed to them.

Kheep (bundle of straw) are tied to the roof structure starting from the bottom.

A rope’s net is dropped from the top of the roof in order to hold the straw bundles.

The entire construction takes around 20 to 30 days. The kheep needs to be change once in a year.

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4.

MATTIKAAM

INTERIOR OF BHUNGA

Bhunga Inside and out

The bhunga are made attractive by decorating the walls and all their possessions have been stacked to showcase them. These homes give the glittering craft of mattikaam Mud Mirror Work as it is locally called, which is the traditional mud-relief art work . It is created on the inner walls as well as on furniture like grainery storage, blanket storage, shelves of the homes.

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The home’s interiors are attractive with flowing white clay walls that seem to merge into their furniture. The use of intricate motifs that glitter with mirrors renders an overall dazzling effect. The completely unique art form makes the homes a visual treat.

Mattikaam is generally done by the women of the house. It is done for one time and stays forever unless it is removed manually. .

The artisans of mattikaam are so experienced that they do not tend to draw any design or pattern on the wall before starting the work. They divide the area of the into halves with vertical and horizontal lines. According to these areal divisions the design is also intutively split into sections and the lippan kaam is done directly on the walls of houses. But before doing the mud work on wall, the wall is given a clay base and the surface is roughened upon which the mud work is carried away.

MATERIALS for mud mirror work Initially it was camel dung or wild ass dung used for preparing the dough that is mixed with clay. Here dung is the main binding agent of dough. The clay used for this work is mud that has been sieved thoroughly to obtain the fine particles which blends easily with the other particles.

Sometimes millet was used as an alternative to dung while the dung attracts termites but the husk does not.

This Chikani Matti is from the Talavdi sand of marshland that is rich in salt content. Though the lippan kaam is of white color yet now a days the shades of red, green and blue are painted on the dried clay work.

It is said that the use of Aabhla Mirror is to deflect the evil eye which can be overpowered by anything that dazzle and makes it blink.

Bhunga Inside and out

CHIKANI MATTI

GHODA NU LIND

AABHLA 41

Process of Matti kaam 1. Dough Making

Chikani matti and godha ni lind (horse dung) is used to prepare the dough.

Now a days paper mache or saw dust is also added as a binding agent.

Bhunga Inside and out

Water is added according to the requirement.

The mixture of finely filtered clay and horse dung is mixed together in equal parts. the dung is the main binding agent.

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All the components are mixed together and kneded in a dough called matti.

A coil of approximately 3 to 5mm is made.

Bhunga Inside and out

2. COILING

A small portion of matti is taken.

The coil is made thinner by rolling palm.

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1

3. WORKING ON WALL The coil is pinched on the wall to make the clay stick on the wall. Earlier the they used to dip the coil in water before sticking it to the wall but now they use fevicol water for dipping.

The coil is smoothen by using wet hands to remove cracks and mergeing joints.

The border is created first and divided into parts. The artisan are so experienced that they do not draw the pattern, they decide while making it.

7

Bhunga Inside and out

(Image 6 and 7 shows the division process.)

2

(Images 1 and 2 shows

3

4

the pinching technique).

(Image 3 and 5 shows the smoothing of the coil).

6

5

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pattern making Intricate motifs and patterns are created, similar to the embroidery work on the clothes worn by the women of the community. Kutch is renowned for its stunning embroidery patterns, which are also embellished with mirrors. the motifs of which are also common to ud work. White clay is coated on top of the the finished mirror embellished artwork, to get a pristine white look.

Bhunga Inside and out

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Motif’s Inspired by Flower & PLANTS

Bhunga Inside and out

Inspired by living beings

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Border Motif’s

Image on left shows the contemporary style of Mud Mirror work

Bhunga Inside and out

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Mattikaam on furnitures in Bhunga

SANJIRIYO (to keep godhadi blankets)

KOTHARIYO (storage of grain)

Bhunga Inside and out

KOTHARIYO

PACHANI (use for keeping and Stacking Vessels)

PACHANI in a different form

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5.

Present scenario

Bhunga Inside and out

After the Gujarat earthquake in 2001, the government has taken initiative of promoting bhungas in Banni region and building it with the help of NGO’s. The people are also benefitted by the tourism of Rann Utsav, many villagers of Hodka and Bhirandiyara build bhungas for tourist like a resort which gave an experience of their lifestyle, food and a stay in decorative Bhungas made by them.

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Bhunga Inside and out

The construction of bhungas have changed when they are used for commercial purpose. The architecture of the bhunga is same but the materials used are different.

You can see 2- storey bhungas near the white desert.

The mud work is also used in different decorative purposes. The people (Meghwal Marwada) have adapted different styles of decoration as the mud work takes comparitively more time. They make colourful design patterns by the use of Dhawadi (colourful clay) bought from Khavda. Dhawadi come in multiple colours like blue, yellow, red and white which extracted from mines in Khavda. It is mixed with water and then painted.

Image of a bhunga made for a farmhouse purpose. The Image on the left is of roof inside that bhunga, top is of the entrance and the bottom is of the bhunga.

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CONCLUSION

Kutch is rich in the form of culture and craft. It has many different stories about its formation of evolution over centuries. It is a place where many communities stay together in harmony and all of them have their own unique lifestyle. That lifestyle brought varieties of craft in Kutch.

The richness of craft helps me look at things in a different perspective. How people are still following the culture and made that as their livelihood. The culture is the most important thing for these communities, which is disappearing in urban areas.

It was an overwhelming experience for me to visit the place and witness the crafts (Mattikaam, embroidery, Block printing, wood Kothar kaam carving) being practiced. All these craft had the essence of authenticity and ethnicity.

I am sharing one of my mesmerizing experience which is difficult to explain in the form of words. The experience is of spending a night in bhunga. It was the night which I will not forget. It was dark and i switch ON my mobile flashlight. The room was filled with the reflection caused by the mirrors of mattikaam.

Image on the left is of that night in Bhunga with reflection

Bhunga Inside and out

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glossary Aabhla: Mirros of different shapes Adi: Horizontal Beam used in roof of bhunga Akhiyan: Face cover for brides in Marriage Bajra: Pearl millet, most widely grown type.

Bangari: Bangles Bawad: Babool tree Bazaar: Market Bhunga: House of Meghwal marwada Chan: Cow dung Chass: Buttermilk: Liquid left after churning butter out of cultured cream Chikani Matti: clay Chuda: White plastic bangles worn in arms by women Dhawadi: Type of mud extracted from mines in Khavda of different colours.

Dhoti: Traditional garment is an unstitched cloth wrapped around the waist and the legs.

Gando Bawado: Babool tree which overgrown widly Ghagra: Traditional clothing of women, skirt Ghee: Clarified Butter Ghumcha: A cotton scarf Gud: Jaggery Haar: Necklace Jowar: Sorghum Kambiro: Type of embroidery Kanjari: Traditional clothing for women is a long top Kathi: Jute rope use to fix the mann Khapatis: Clums of slipt bamboo Khath: cot weaved by jhute rope

Bhunga Inside and out

Kheep: bundle of straw Khudi Tebha: Type of embroidery Kothariyo: Storage of food grains Laadvo: Sphere shaped sweets made of flour,ghee and sugar Mangal Sutra: A necklace worn by married women as a sign of being married Mann: Cone structure fixed on top Masala bhaat: Spiced Rice Meethi jeera bhaat: Sweet cumin rice Meghwalvaas: Meghwal family stay together Mojadis: A style of handcrafted footwear.

Pachani: Furniture to stack vessels Pagdi: Turban worn by men Pakko Mukko: Type of embroidery Pathar: Stone Patli: Vertical kingpost rest on middle post Salwar: Traditional attire worn by men Sanjiriyo: Furniture to keep blankets Sapatiyo: Type of Traditional footwear specially used in Kutch Ser: Face cover for grooms used in marriage Tajvi: Silver chain Talavdi: Sand of marshland Vaas: Bamboo Vali: Joist fixed on the top of mann Varlo: Bead Choker worn by Meghwal Marwada women Velado: Nose ring worn by Meghwal Marwada women

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biblography Still Standing : Gandhi Nu Gaam, Ludiya N.d. https:// issuu.com/narendramangwani/docs/still_standing_ ch05_published The art of building Bhunga. http://www.priyashah. com/mig/bhonga.htm Earthen habitat in rural development of Western India: experiences in post-earthquake rehabilitation in Kachchh district of Gujarat | https://ChiaraChiodero/ earthen-habitat-in-rural-development-of-westernindia-experiences-in-postearthquake-rehabilitation-inkachchh-district-of-gujarat Mud Mirror Work.N.d. www.dsource.in/resource/mudmirror-work/process Mud Mirror Art. N.d. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Mud_mirror_art Lipan Kaam With love from Kutch #HandmadeInIndia N.d. https://engrave.in/blog/lipan-kaam/ Meghwal Marwada N.d.http://shrujanlldc.org/downloads/

Bhunga from Inside and out

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