- Gadia Lohar
Gadia Lohar is a
nomadic community ofRajasthan ,India . They are also found inMalwa region ofMadhya Pradesh . They areLohar ( ironsmith) by profession who move on from one place to another place on bullock cart, which in hindi is called 'gadi'. Hence the name 'Gadia Lohar'. They usually make and repair agricultural and household implements.Their origin is shrouded in legend. Their forefathers were blacksmiths in the army of
Maharana Pratap ofMewar . When Mewar fell toMughals they took pledge never to return to their homeland and never to settle anywhere else until Rana's hegemony was restored.The bullock carts are their homes . They lead a hard life and despite the vagaries of weather and the uncertainties of their trade they, children of desert, are a handsome and cheerful lot and remain buoyantly dignified, unmindful of their hard life.
There has been a documentary on them by title of "Gadia Lohar:A Life and Livelihood in Question ?" (Hindi/Mini DV/ 24 minutes / 2005/Dir: Meenakshi Vinay Rai / India))
External links
* [http://rajasthanunlimited.com/folk/lohar.html The Gadia Lohars (Blacksmith)]
* [http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/photo265850.htm Gadia Lohar]
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