Kalbelia: A dance close to the nature

Kalbelia is one of an aesthetic dance form which is very famous in the state of Rajasthan. This dance is performed by the tribe of the same name. This is an ancient tribe and the community is very similar to that of serpents. Their main occupation is snake catching and trading them. This dance form is an integral part of this community. In addition to that it reflects their living and culture.

This dance is a group effort. Both men and women play their part in a performance. This dance is a representation of joy. Due to this this dance is performed on festive occasions or a cultural event. The actual fun of their performance can be enjoyed at the gatherings somewhere around the festival of Holi.  

The dance movements have a similarity to the movements of a snake. It is characterized by rhythmic stomps, hip movements and kicks, ever-changing hand movements, spinning, dancing on the knees, and dancing with partners. As the dance progresses the pace of the rhythm goes on increasing so does the dance. There can be more than three females dancers on the stage at the same time.

The costume also resembles that of a snake. The Kalbeliya women dancers wear long, black coloured, drindled-skirts heavily worked with embroidery and light-coloured thread along with small pieces of mirrors. In addition to that on the head, the female Kalbelia dancers wear Odhani. This costume draws the attention in a somewhat strange way. The clothes are a blend of red and black. These colour combination makes the dancer attractive in the eyes of the spectators. The female dancers also wear jewellery and garments which have small mirrors and silver threads embroidered on them.

The male counterparts help in playing the music. There can be two to three musicians present during the performance. Only traditional musical instruments used in Kalbelia dance. Poongi is the main musical instrument used in Kalbelia dance. Poongi is a kind of woodwind musical instrument used by Kalbelia tribe during catching snakes. Dufli, Morchang, Dholak, Khanjari and Khuralio are the names of other traditional musical instruments used by Kalbelia tribe in Kalbelia dance along with the main instrument Poongi. The songs sung during the performance belong to this tribe. They are passed from generations to generations. There are no written evidences for these songs. The music played is almost similar to the rajasthani music.

Gulabo, Suva Devi, Senu Sapera are few of the world famous Kalbelia dancers who are performing Kalbelia dance worldwide.

Lavani: A theme based dance spreading social messages to the people

Lavani is one of the most important folk dance forms of India. It is a combination of song and dance. The word Lavani comes from the word lavanya which means beauty. This dance form is the main contributor to the Marathi culture. This theme based dance originated in the region of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It came into origin in 1560. It was on its full charm during the Peshwa rule(1700-1900). During the Peshwa rule  the dance was used to boost the morale of the tired soldiers. Some scholars suggest that this dance form originated in the temples. As the name suggest the dance reflects the feminine beauty.

It is a theme based dance dealing with different matters like society religion, politics and romance. It also highlights which includes love between man and woman in various forms. Married wife's menstruation, sexual union between husband and wife, their love, soldier's amorous exploits, the wife's bidding farewell to the husband who is going to join the war, pangs of separation, adulterous love - the intensity of adulterous passion, childbirth.

This dance is performed by the women only. However the plays can be written men also. In the ancient times when no women were available for the performance men used to dress like women and performed infornt of the audiences. The female dancers dressed in the colourful nine-yard long saris which enhanced the beauty of the performers during the performance. In addition to that they also wore jewellery .

The instruments used during the performance were dholaks whose beats added a different flavour to the performance. The dancers used to dance on the beats of the dholaks.

The songs sung during the performance were mostly love songs. They were romantic in nature. Some songs featured a lady waiting for the lover to accept her.

This dance is mostly performed on the stage. In the ancient time the dance started in the evening and continued till dawn.

Most of the dancers involved in the promotion of the dance form belonged to the state of Maharashtra. Legends like Raja Bhoj, Kanjar gorl were the popular Lavani dancers. Marathi poets like Honaji Bala, Ramjoshi, Prabhakar, etc. took Lavani to new heights. There are 2 real good male performers even today. They are Anand Satam and Anil Hankare.

Some of the famous movies Pinjara and Natarang are based on this dance form.

Yakshagana: A theme based dance drama based on secular and epics stories

Yakshagana is a popular dance drama which originated in the 16th century in the state of Karnataka. Yakshagana means songs of the Yakshas. According to Hindu mythology Yakshas are demi gods and the attendants of Kubera. This folk based theme dance is a combination of song, dance and drama. In the ancient times it was known as Bahunatakas. This dance form was influenced by great dancers and singers known as the Yakshas or Jakkulas. Latter on it got the name Yakshagana.

As it is a theme based dance the performances are based on stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Every dance performance is unique because every dance performance is based on secular to mythological stories on different subjects.

In the beginning, Yakshagana was performed by only a single dancer. It was during the 17th and 18th century, that it regained its current form of a dance drama where various characters were introduced. The female roles are portrayed by male actors. A dance performance consists of a narrator who narrates the story. He is supported by the musicians who play traditional instruments. The actors portray the story through the actions. In the practise session the actors have a long debate so that they are clear with the events in the story.

The music used during the performance consists of Yakshagana Raga, Yakshagana Tala. They are a composition of different ragas. A raga is a composition of notes from different music forms. In addition to that poems are also sung during the performance.

The instruments used in the play are maddale, bells and chande. Maddale looks similar to mridangam or dholak. The chande is a drum. There can multiple maddle and chande for a performance. The bells are usually worn in the fingers which produces lovely music.

The costumes used in the performance are colourful. The costume helps in figuring out the character of the actor. The costumes consist of headgear (Kirita or Pagade), Kavacha that decorates chest, Buja Keerthi (armlets) that decorate shoulders, and belts (Dabu) all made up of light wood and covered with golden foil. The ornaments are made out of light wood, mirror work, colored stones. The ornaments help to reflect light during show and add more colour to costumes. In addition to that the ornaments cover the vest and upper half of the body. A dance performance also includes a detailed facial makeup which takes three to four hours for completion.

Traditionally Yakshagana was performed at night and can continue for five or more hours.

It is not just a medium of entertainment rather it also offers a brief insight into the life style and culture of the people there.

Raut Nacha: A comical Dance form depicts gratitude towards Lord Krishna

Raut Nacha is a popular dance form of Chhattisgarh. The folk dance form is an essential part of the tribal living there. It represents two aspects. First the folk heritage of the state and second the cultural heritage of the state. The state is known for a very rich Cultural heritage. It has its unique style of dance, cuisine, and music. This dance form unites different tribal of the state.  This dance is performed during the Deepawali festival and continues for seven days.

This dance is performed by the people of “yadavs/yaduvanshis” community. The dance is symbol of gratitude towards Lord Krishna. He helped the yadavs to overpower the army of evil king Kansa. The dance is performed in order to show the happiness of victory of good over the evil. The dance form closely resembles the “Raas Leela” dance form. The best occasion to perform the dance is the time of “dev udhni ekadashi”. It is believed that it is time of awakening of Gods after brief rest according to Hindu pancang (calendar).

The dance can be performed in an open space or on a big spacious stage. The dancers dress themselves in colourful and glittering costumes. As this drama dance depicts the battle between the cruel king Kansha and Lord Krishna wielding sticks and metal shields can be found in the hands of the dancers. This combination makes the imaginary drama real to watch.

They dance to the tunes produced by the folk instruments and occasionally get into a mock duel. The bells tied to their waist produce the extra feel needed for the festive occasion. The couplets of Kabeer and Tulsi are also recited during the dance performance. The dance is a group performance.

   

This dance also shows the different battles fought in the ancient times. This is the reason why this dance form involves a lot of imagination skill in order to perform it. It is performed with great innovative and imaginative ideas.

  

The dance plays are very popular and worth watching. It ties the people to the olden culture which is getting lost in the fast pace lives.

Folk Dance of Jharkhand

A dance performance is not meant for entertainment. It can also express one's feelings, some story or any other event. A dance can also reflect the culture, traditions and beliefs of people living in that region. The same is also true with the different folk dances of Jharkhand.

Karma Munda

It is one of the most popular folk dances amongst the tribal habitant in the state. It gets its name from the Karma tree which is the sign of fertility in the state. Tribal people of this state worship this tree. The people believe that it brings good luck and prosperity. The folk dance is performed in the month of August during the Karma festival. This dance can be performed by both men and women. The festival starts with the plantation of trees. The procedure is started with the females who offered a handful amount of barley to the males there and then those offer it to the Karma tree. Drums are used in the procedure which is beaten by the males there in a very rhythmic tune.  All the men and women dance around the Karma tree by their hands on each other shoulder.

Paika

It is one of the most famous dances of this state. It is performed by the males only because the steps of the dance contain martial arts. It is very interesting to watch this dance. It offers a thrilling entertainment to your eyes as the men risk their lives to perform it. The dancers have to handle a sword in one hand and the shield in other. For protection, they are dressed with safety chest plates and head wears and bells are tied on their ankles. It is accompanied by the melodious music of Narsingha, Shahnai, Bheir and the Dhak and Nagara drums.

Santhal

Santhal is another very popular folk dance of Jharkhand. It It is a group dance performed by Santhal tribes of Jharkhand. This dance is performed by the Santhal tribes during all special festivals and occasions. This dance not only reveals the culture or traditions of the local tribes but also showcases the strength of unity. Colorful costumes worn by the tribal people make the dance vibrant to watch. The center of attraction is their body decoration with various species of flora. The Santhal tribes are known to be very close to the nature and they used the natural things such as leaves, branches and flowers to do their make-up and design their clothes.

Kinnauri Nati: A Popular Folk Dance of Himachal Pradesh

Kinnauri Nati is a folk dance which originated in Himachal Pradesh. This dance is closely related to nature. It is performed on the occasion of New Year. This dance adds a majestic look to the celebration. In addition to that it has become an important part of fairs and festival celebrated in this state. The dance is the representation of the happiness gained after a good harvest.

The inherent theme of Kinnaur Dance is much similar to that of the Bhangra Dance of Punjab. The dance lacks pace but the sequences make it elegant to watch. The dance moves depicts the all the activities involved in sowing the crop and reaping it. The elegant movements of the dancers represent the beauty of the state. In addition to that it presents the gentleness of the hilly breeze, slowly flowing rivers and the rhythmic swaying of trees.

Earlier this dance was performed by men only. Now it is opened to the women also which makes it magnificent to watch. The costume of the men consists of the churidars with pyjamas and decorated caps. Sometimes, the costume comprises of the Chola or the top coat. In addition to that the men also wear socks with shoes. The costume of the women comprises of the Ghaghra or the skirt, the Gachi, the Lachhi, the floral shawl and the Boomani with silver chains, tight churidar pyjamas. The women also wear heavy armlets and silver and gold ornaments known as Tunki and Chanki around their necks. The men and women hold an ornate fan in one hand and a colourful handkerchief in another and clap as they dance. The clothes worn by the dancer makes them look vibrant. The clothes and jewellery worn by the women dancers adds a glam quotient to this dance form.

Music resembles the sound of breeze blowing through forests. This dance is based upon beat and rhythm which is different from area to area. There are thirteen variations in this dance depending on the tempo. The dance is accompanied by four to eight musicians.

The instruments that accompany this dance range from the Drums, the Shehnai, the Cymbals and the Ranasinga.

The dance is very popular in the state because it is an expression of happiness.

Bihu: Folk dance of happiness

Bihu is a folk dance form which belongs to the state of Assam. It is very popular and has become a part of the people habitant in the state. This dance is performed during the Bihu festival which is celebrated thrice a year. Rongali which is the biggest of the three Bihu festivals makes the Bihu dance more special. This festival is celebrated in the middle of April. This is the time when the spring season is on its full charm. This dance form is a mirror of Assamese culture. This dance is a celebration of Good harvest.

There is no historic evidence when this dance form originated but it was first cited to be when Ahom king Rudra Singha invited Bihu dancers to perform at the Ranghar fields sometime around 1694 on the occasion of Rongali Bihu.

This is a group dance. It is performed by both men and women. When the dance starts the female dancer group themselves into line or circle. The males dancers and musicians enter the performance area first and form a straight line. Latter the women enter the dancing area. Once the female dancers enter the arena the male dancer break their line and mingle with them. The dance is usually characterized by definite postures, movements of the hips, arms, wrists, twirls, squats and bends but no jumps. Male and female dance movements are very similar, with only minor but subtle differences.

The music played during the dance performance is the traditional Bihu dance. The dance is accompanied by songs which are known as Bihu geet. The lyrics of these songs ranges from welcoming the Assamese new year to describing the daily life of a farmer, from historical references of invasions to Assam to contemporary socio-political commentary in a satirical way.

The musical instruments used in Bihu dance are Dhol, Pepa, Gogona, Sutuli, Tal, and Taka. More than one Dhol can be used during the dance performance. It is slung from the neck of the drummer during the performance. The drummer plays the dhol with sticks or hands. Flutes are also used for musical composition.

The men wear Dhoti, Gamocha (towel) and chadar and mekhala. They tie the towel at the bottom of their stomach and put the chandar on their shoulder. The women wear colourful sarees for the performance. The colourful attires make the dance vibrant to watch.

The bihu dance can last for many hours. It is performed in open space. The dance is characterised by rapid change in rhythm, mood, pace and movements. In addition to that the dancers have a limited time for presenting their skills.

This dance is an expression of both happiness and pain. This makes it magnificent to watch.