Art and Culture of Neemuch

Just like all other regions of India, even Neemuch is blessed with immense diversity. Different religions, castes and creeds have been peacefully coexisting here for hundreds and hundreds of years. The years of peaceful coexistence between different religions and castes have helped in building a unique cultural heritage, characterized by different festivals, costumes, languages, rituals, beliefs etc. Below is brief summary of all these cultural features, which invariably have made culture of Neemuch vibrant and very lively.

Religion and Festivals in Neemuch

Hindus make up the majority religion in this religiously diverse region. They constitute more than 60% of Neemuch District’s total population, followed by Muslims (largest minority), Jains and Christians. Each of these religions adheres to their own set of beliefs and way of life, which actually exhibits more than 100 year old cultural heritage of Neemuch. Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, are of course celebrated coupled with music and dance. Makar Sankranti, Tij and Mahashivratri are also celebrated with pomp and show.

Equally celeberated are Id, Bakrid and other Muslim festivals. Neemuch’s Tazai procession, a customary procession taken out during Moharram, is especially popular all across Madhya Pradesh and also across India. In fact local Hindus and people from other communities too participate in this annual procession. This is in a way strongly symbolizes the religious and cultural harmony existing in this region. Besides, Christmas and few of the Jain festivals are also celebrated here with traditional rituals and customs. Over all, festivals of all religions are immensely respected and celebrated here, adding lot of vibrancy and color to Neemuch’s indigenous culture.

Languages and Costumes of Neemuch

Hindi is the main language of the district, which is spoken with typical rural accent. Neemuch also has sizable tribal population, living in the interiors of pockets of the district. They mostly speak Gondi language and other indigenous languages. Neemuch is immensely diverse place when it comes to costumes. Here modern attires like shirts, trousers and even jeans share immense popularity alongside traditional cloths like dhoti, kurti, sarees, salwar kameez. Modern attires though are more worn in Neemuch city. In the deep interiors of Neemuch district, cloths worn are more traditional and conservative.;

Folk Dances and Music in Neemuch

Neemuch doesn’t have its own unique folk dance and music. However, many of the folk dances and music of neighboring districts and states are widely practiced here. Amongst them art and culture of Bundelkhandi community, music of Malwa and Gwalior are pretty popular here. Neemuch also has a sizeable tribal population, who practice their own unique dance and music mainly during festivals and ceremonies. Besides, traditional bhakti songs (mainly sung in Hindi) are also widely sung during popular Hindu festivals.

Overall, it is Neemuch’s religious diversity that brings its out rich cultural lifestyle. It surely doesn’t boost its own unique folk dance and music, but inter-religious harmony prevailing since centuries gives soulful touch to its culture. In other words, Neemuch’s culture expresses India’s diversity at its best.