Music and Dance Culture in the City of Vadodara in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

Abstract

The arts of dance and music are of great importance to the culture of India. Classical Indian dances and music are among the most graceful and beautiful in the world. The Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad as a head of state led to making Baroda a city representative of art, which is at once indigenous and modern. Expert artists from across the Indian Subcontinent were invited to perform as well as to extend the knowledge of music to the people of Vadodara. Artists were often encouraged with awards and rewards for their performances on various occasions. Maharaja Sayajirao wanted to disseminate the tradition as well as ear for music among the people of Vadodara, so he decided to employ more artists in the court. Hence, many young and old, professional and novices were appointed. So this paper covered all the aspect of music and dance which evolved under vision of the Maharaja Sayajirao.