Jaisalmer (Life And Culture of The Indian Desert)

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This volume juxtaposes the history, culture, occupation and the lifestyle of people in the desert district of Jaisalmer of western Rajasthan, bordering Pakistan Popularly called the “Golden City in Desert”. The city has much more to say beyond its popular fort and palaces. Jaisalmer was an old city of commercial magnitude for centuries till the onset of British rule in India. It was on route connecting the East and West in trade. It has now been transformed to a tourist destination, enticing people from India and abroad.

The book details its past glory, lost signification and the regained charm through centuries of development. It also accounts for the brief history of Marwar, its rajas of valor, and their heroic struggle for existence and survival against foreign attacks. Picturesque portrayal of the fort, the people of Jaisalmer, their cultural, ethnic and the religious mores, and the “must see” sports in the quintessential focus of the book.

Moving away from the city life, the book also focuses on the village life, exploring the mysteries and charm of the desert life. It unearths the hidden charms and the warmth of village life in this desert region, along with a brief account of occupation of people around.

This connection would motivate also researchers of ancient monuments and history, and enthuse tourists who would like to visit the Golden City in Desert.

Oki Mauricio: Born in 1929 in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Member of Japan Professional Photographer’s Society. Has made more than 100 visits to India as a free-lance photograph, focusing on Mother Teresa’s life, and the flak life and cultures of India. Officially participated in the Festival of India held in Japan in 1988, also held many exhibitions to his credit in major cities in ltaly, Spain, Portugal, Vatican another. European countries since 1988 to this day. Major publication include: mother Teresa and her Sisters (1978); Mother Teresa: Affluent Love (1981); India; Fairs and festivals (1988); Mother Teresa: Love without Limit (1987): International edition of Mother Teresa in English. Italian, Spanish and Portuguese (1998-99); Aucient Buddleias sites of Sanchi and Barhut (co-author, 19920; Falk Paintings from the Indian Earth (with M.A. Konishi, 2001); Unknown India: Ritual Performance and the Crafts (with M.A. konishi, 2007); Konarka: Chariat of the Sun-God (with B.Baumer & M.A. Konishi, 2007); and many others.

M.A. Konishi: Born in 1938 in Akita Prefecture, Japan. Professor Emeritus, Rikkyo University, Tokyo. Ph.D. and of Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, Studied at the Graduate Schools of University of Calcutta (Archaeology) and University of Tokyo (Cultural Anthropology and Cultural History of South Asia). Has conducted extensive fieldworks in archaeology and anthropology in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, lran, Qatar and Bahrain. Major publications include: Afghanistan ( 1968); Arts and Crafts of India (1977); Indus Civilization; Fountainhead of the Civilization of Indian (1980); Diverse world of India (1981); Aspects of the India Folk Culture (1986); History and Culture of Bengal (1986); Cultural History of Roads in India (1995); Primordial world of India: Life, Beliefs and Art (1995); Primordial world: Life, Beliefs and Art (1995); Falk Performances of India (2002); and many others including the edited works. Has worked with Oki Mauricio, the photographer, in recent years.

Kodai Konishi: Born in 1975 in Chiba prefecture, Japan. Research Fellow formerly at oriental Research Institute, university of Tokyo, now at Centre for Contemporary Indian Area Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and Graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, and obtaining Ph.D. degree in social anthropology. Also studied at J.N. University, New Delhi under the Government of India Scholarship. Has conducted extensive fieldworks in social anthropology among the Bails in Jaywalker, Rajasthan Indian, also in Bali lsland, Indonesia, as well. Contributed many essays in major academic journals and the relevant publications, often as a co-author.