m Aired on NDTV Imagine from Monday to Friday
at 10:30PM
m Gujarati family residing in a village, near Surat,
Dharampur
m Based on Gujarati novel Retpankhi which was
written by Varsha Adalja in 1972
m ðreated by Balaji Telefilms
m The meaning of Bandini comes from Bandi which
means prisoner
m Revolves around the Santu who is an eighteen
year old illiterate girl belonging to a lower
cast
Dharamraj Mahiyanshi
m ½0 year old widower
m Has ½ children
m The owner of diamond factory in Surat
m Married to Santu against barriers of age, caste and
class
antok
m Popularly known as the Santu
among the workers
m ðalm and soft spoken girl
m Lives with her Nana Madhoo Solanki
m Sings Gujarati folk song which is ± ³aala re laal
leheraniyu laal ghammar ghammar chale re chaal
navi te vahu na haath ma rumal«´
p
m Gujarat boasts of a rich culture
and heritage
m The people are very simple and live life
to the fullest
m Spirit is quite visible from the varied fairs and
festivals celebrated in the state
m Proud of their customs and traditions and follow
them with utmost pride
¦
m Gujarati comes from Sanskrit
m Several dialects of Gujarati;
Kachchi, Kathiawadi, and
Surati
m Gujarati is written in a
cursive script
m Dialect used in the serial is
Kathiawadi
a
m Vegetarian, reflecting the
strong influence of Jains
and the Vaishnavas in the
region
m Villager takes a light
breakfast of roti and milk or curds before setting
out for the work
m Meals are served on a ÷ , a metal tray on which
roti, rice, and small bowls are placed
m Milk-based desserts are common
p
m Gujaratis have access to
movies, radio, and
television
m However, traditional
forms of entertainment
remain part of community life
m The Mela is symbol of Gujarati dance, culture and
lifestyle
m Santu, Khemi and Monghi are often seen enjoying
the Mela in the serial
¦ p
m Gujarati men wear the § ÷
accompanied by a shirt and coat closed
with stringsD
m [omen wear the Rand
m However, during family occasions and festivals, women also
wear ghagra-choli.
D
¦pp pp
m A typical Gujarati village consists of a
cluster of houses along a central street.
m Agricultural and trading castes live
in this central area, and artisan castes
live farther out.
m Untouchables live outside the village
boundaries.
m Houses have wooden furniture and kitchenware consists of copper
and earthen cooking utensils.
¦
m Bania castes thrive as business
people.
m Gujaratis have also traversed the world
in search of business opportunities
m Gujarat is a major industrial state and Ahmadabad
a major textile center
m Agriculture is also prominent with major cash crops like cotton,
sugar-cane, oil seeds and peanuts.
m Gujarati girls play house, dress
their dolls and mock wedding
ceremonies.
m Boys spin tops, fly kites and play games
like marbles and kabaddi.
m Kho-Kho is another popular local pastime.
m Soccer, cricket, field hockey and basket ball are also enjoyed
throughout Gujarat.
¦ ¦p
m ðultural heritage can be traced back to a
civilization that existed 3000 years ago.
m Literature dates back to the 12th century.
m Many groups contribute to the Guajarati culture.
m Famous folk dances are Ras and Garba.
¦p
m Navaratri is widely celebrated
throughout the state.
m µDasahara¶ is also celebrated with noted
enthusiasm.
m The birthday of µ Mahatma Gandhi ¶ is also celebrated with
respect and vigour.
a p
m Gujarat is known for its handicrafts.
m [ood carving is an ancient skill.
m Making jewellery and cutting precious stones are also traditional
handicrafts in Gujarat.
p ¦ ¦
m Poverty, malnutrition and a lack of
basic services continue to be problems.
m ðommunal riots still prevail in Gujarat.
m Violence between Hindus and Muslims erupts from time to time
across the normally peaceful state.
m Recent example is of the Godhra Riots.
