Folk Dances of Rajasthan: Ghumar and Jhumar are the main dances of Rajasthan. These dances are performed on important occasions and festivals. On the festival of Holi, Deepawali and Gangaur the atmosphere reverberates with Ghumar dance. In Ghumar, dance performing women wear ‘Lahanga’ and ‘Odhni’ and carry large plates full of lighted earthen lamps while moving their feet. In this dance, women move in a circle and because of this movement it is called Ghumar. Like Ghumar in Rajasthan, ‘Bhawai’ dance is also practised widely. ‘Bhawai’ is a dance of a sub-caste of Rajasthan. This is a dance of the men folk and is based upon a narrative. The narrative is particularly accompanied with song and dance. The entire dance is organized on the basis of local folklores and the performers of the dance keep on moving from place to place.
Apart from Ghumar and Jhumar, ‘Dandia’ ‘Rasiya’, ‘Dhol’ ‘Dance of Matkas (pitchers)’, ‘Dance of swords’, ‘Dance of Snake Charmers’ and ‘Dances of Kalbelias’ are also important dances of Rajasthan.
Music and Dances
There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other community festivities which transform the hardworking Rajasthani into a fun-loving and carefree individual. Each region has its own folk entertainment, the dance styles differ as do the song: Interestingly enough, even the musical instruments are different Of considerable significance are the devotional songs and the communities who render the songs. Professional performers like the Bhaats, Dholis, Mirasis, Nats, Bhopas and Bhands aromnipresent across the state. They are patronised by the villagers who participate actively i the shows put up by these travelling entertainers. Some of the better known forms c
entertainment are Ghoomar Dane This is basically a community dance for women and performed on. auspicious occasions Derived from the word ghoomna, pirouette, this is a very simple dance where the ladies move gently, gracefully in circles Ghooma This is one of the many dance-forms of the Bhil tribal. Performed during Holi festival, this i among a few performances where both men and women dance together Kalbeliya This most sensuous dance performed by the Kalbeliya (Snake-charmar’s community). Th< sapera dancers wear long, black skirts embroidered with silver ribbons. As they spin in circle, their body sways acrobatically, so that it is impossible to believe that they are made c anything other than rubber. As the beat increases in tempo, the pace increases to such a pitc! that it leaves the viewer as exhausted as the dance Gair Another Holi dance but performed only by men. This becomes Dandia Gair in Jodhpur ani
Geendad in Shekhawati i Charee Dane is popular in the Kisherigarh region and involves dancing with a chari, or pot, on one’
head.
A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot
This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate costumes ride the equally we decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords, these dancers move rhythmically to th beating of drums and fifes. A singer narrates the exploits of the Bavaria bandits c Shekhawati. •ire Dane
The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their tantric powers and this dance is i keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground is prepared with live wood and charcoal where th
Jasnathi men and boys jump on to the fire to the accompaniment of drum beats. The musi gradually rises in tempo and reaches a crescendo, the dancers seem to be in a trance lik state.
Drum Dane This is a professional dance-form from Jalore. Five men with huge drums round their neck: some with huge cymbals accompany a dancer who holds a naked sword in his mouth an
performs vigorously by twirling three painted stick:
Teerah Taa The Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana perform this dance in honour of theft deify Baba Ramdeo. A rather unusual performance where the men play a four-stringed instrumer
called a chau-tara and the women sit with dozens of manjeeras, or cymbals, tied on all ove their bodies and strike them with the ones they hold in their hands. Sometimes, the wome
also hold a sword between their teeth or place pots with lighted lamps on their head;
i, Kathputli Puppet plays based on popular legends are performed by skilled puppeteers. Displaying hi skill in making the puppets’ act and dance, the puppeteer is accompanied by a woman, usuall his wife, who plays the dholak, or drum and sings the ballac Pabuji Ki Phac A 14th century folk hero, Pabuji is revered by the Bhopa community. The phad, or scrol which is about 10 metres long, highlights the life and heroic deed of Pabuji. The Bhopas ar invited by villagers to perform in their areas during times of sickness and misfortune. Th
ballad is sung by the Bhopa as he plays the Ravan-hattha and he is joined by his wife wh holds a lamp and illuminates the relevant portions at appropriate point:
Maand Rajasthan’s most sophisticated style of folk music and has come a long way from the time was only sung in royal courts, in praise of the Rajput ruler:
Professional singers still sing the haunting ballads of Moomal Mahendra, Dhola-Maru and othe legendary lovers and heroe;
Musical Instrument Kamayacha exclusively by the Manganiyars in the Jaisalmer-Barmer region. So deeply is the sense of turn and rhythm in the mind and ear of the folk musicians, that they need nothing more thai intuition and a highly trained ear to tune their instruments Rawanhatta Rawanhathha Probably the earliest instrument played with a bow, and this humble instrumen could well be the precursor of the violin. It has two main strings and a variable number o supporting strings, with a belly of half coconut shell and a body of bamboo. The bow ha: ghungroos (bells) attached to it. The music is staccato and accompanied by the syncopate* singing of the Bhopa and the Bhopan.The Jogis of Abu Road area use a smaller version of thi Rawanhathha which has its two main strings tuned to the ‘Sa’ of the Indian octave and a thin of steel to ‘Pa’. The Langas use the Sindhi sarangi. It is made up of four main wires, sevei jharas and seventeen tarafs. Others members of the family are the Gujratan, Jogia and Dhar sarangis. The Surinda, favourite of the Manganiyars, is a small sarangi. The Chikara, used b’ the Meos and Jogis of Mewat is a replica of the Sarangi
Morchang The morchang resembles a jew’s-harp. The plaintive, melancholic twang of the morchang add a desolate dimension to the songs of the Manganiyar Shehnai
A slender instrument used particularly at the time of weddings, is sahnai. A double-beatin reed instrument consisting of a single piece wooden tube with a opening and a mete mouthpiece, it is played as an accompaniment to nagarc Sarangi This is the most important folk musical instrument and is found in various forms in Rajasthar Ektaara The Ektaara is single string instrument, but it is mounted on the belly of a gourd attached to body made of bamboo. The Galaleng Jogis of Dungarpur and Banswara have twin gourde Kendru appears akin to the ancient Kinnari Veena, and it has often been called the Keengri i Rajasthan literature. The Chautara, also called the Tandoora or Nissan, is also a popular fiv stringed drone and beat instrument used as an accompaniment to devotional music and fc the Terathali danc Algoza The Algoza, common in the Tonk-Ajmer areas, is like two flutes played together. The Kathodi use the Pawri, a flute of bamboo held vertically. The Bhils use a short flute in some of the dances. Ceremonial music is provided by Nafeeri and Surnai, both rudimentrary forms of th shehnai.Then there is the Poongi of the snake charmers and its adaptation by the Langa called the Murla. Both have two tubes, one for the notes and the other for the droru
Satara It is a vertical flute with a single long hollow tube, into which the player whistles, at the sam
Bhawai Dance Rajasthan
One of the most spectacular performing arts of Rajasthan, Bhawai Dance Rajasthan is a traditional folk dance that can be traced to the feudal era. A thrilling pot balancing dance of the snake charmer tribe Bhawai or Bhavai is performed with immense skill. This dance form showcases the art of dancing and gyrating even while balancing many articles and items on one’s head.
Indianholiday offers detailed information on Bhawai Dance Rajasthan an other performing arts of Rajasthan, India.
Bhawai Dance Form Rajasthan India is mainly performed by veiled women dancers balancing as many as seven or nine brass pitchers on their heads as they dance nimbly, often pirouetting and swaying with their feet resting atop a glass or on the edge of a sword.
Rajasthani tribes and clans like the Jats, Bhils, Raigars, Meenas, Charmars and Kumhars promoted the growth of Bhawai Dance. The Kalbelia tribe of snake charmers is the most proficient in the skilful balancing act of Bhawai Dance Rajasthan. The womenfolk of this clan can perform a sprightly salutation even while balancing up to seven to eleven earthen urns on their head. It is believed that these womenfolk are adept at such balancing precision mainly because they have to venture out a lot in the parched desert areas. Quite a few such pitchers and pots are effortlessly carried across a distance in the same fashion by Rajasthani women in order to carry water from the wells or oases to their homes.
Originally believed to have originated in the neighboring state of Gujarat, Bhawai Dance Rajasthan was soon mastered by the local tribesmen and women in Rajasthan, who further added to the dance a distinctive Rajasthani essence.
An absolute thrilling act to watch for viewers, Bhawai Dance in Rajasthan India is often given a climactic turn when the performer not only balances the urns on head but also climbs atop a plate placed on brass tumblers. There is a sense of cutting edge suspense involved with Bhawai Dance Rajasthan because, even a slight asymmetry can spoil the show. Some more adventurous dancers even perform the jig on broken glass or a sword. Sometimes a Bhawai dancer can also be seen balancing a ‘puja thali’ (plate holding common items of worship) on her head.
Rajasthan’s Traditional Dance Bhawai is accompanied by melodious songs sung by the men folk to the beats of instruments like dholak, manjeera,pahkwaja, sarangi and the bhungal.
Chari:
Water gathering is one of the regular household activities that bonds womenfolk in Rajasthan Tour. Many a times, they have to traverse several miles to fill up their pitchers in order to keep the household running. This activity is created on stage through the dance form of ‘chari’. A typical chari performance involves several women with pitchers on their head and synchronized swaying movements. Cottonseed fires on the pitcher help create a movement of halos.
Gair:
Gair dance performance involves both men as well as women. Men are dressed in tunics which open up into full skirts and they move around in clockwise and anti clockwise movements while hitting each others sticks to create a rhythm as well as music. It has its various regional forms and is generally performed during Holi.
Ghoomar:
Ghoomar dance form originally belongs to the Rajput community. Men are strictly prohibited and although the movements are simple as compared to other forms of dance in the state, the floating skirts of the revolving women is an aesthetically pleasing sight. Traditionally a bride is also expected to participate in this dance form when she is being welcomed to the groom’s home.
Dance as a form of expression has always intrigued cultural scholars. Apart from its visible beauty and physical expertise, what is perhaps the most intriguing part is the plethora of interpretations that a dance form can be subjected to.
The people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt. After hard work in the harsh desert sun and the rocky terrain whenever they take time off they let themselves go in gay abandon. There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other community festivities which transform the hardworking Rajasthani into a fun-loving and carefree individual. Each region has its own folk entertainment, the dance styles differ as do the songs. Interestingly enough, even the musical instruments are different.
Of considerable significance are the devotional songs and the communities who render these songs. Professional performers like the Bhaats, Dholis, Mirasis, Nats, Bhopas and Bhands are omnipresent across the state. They are patronised by the villagers who participate actively in the shows put up by these travelling entertainers. Some of the better known forms of entertainment are:
‘Ghoomar Dance: This is basically a community dance for women and performed on auspicious occasions. Derived from the word Ghoomar, piroutte, this is a very simple dance where the ladies move gently, gracefully in circles.
Gait Ghoomar:
This is one of the many dance forms of the Bhil tribals. Performed during Holi festival, this among a few performances where both men and women dance together.
Chart Dance:
This is popular in the Kisherigarh region and involves dancing with a chari, or pot, on one’s head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot.
Kachhi Ghodi:
This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate costumes ride the equally well decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords, these dancers move rhythmically to the beating of drums and fifes. A singer narrates the exploits of the Bavaria bandits of Shekhawati.
Fire Dance: The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground is prepared with live wood and charcoal where the Jasnathi men and boys jump on to the fire to the accompaniment of drum beats. The music gradually rises in tempo and reaches a crescendo, the dancers seem to be in a trance like state.
Drum Dance: This is a professional dance-form from Jalore. Five men with huge drums round their necks, some with huge cymbals accompany a dancer who holds a naked sword in his mouth and performs vigorously by twirling three painted sticks.
The people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt. After hard work in the harsh desert sun and the rocky terrain whenever they take time off they let themselves go in gay abandon. There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other community festivities which transform the hardworking Rajasthani into a fun-loving and carefree individual. Each region has its own folk entertainment, the dance styles differ as do the songs. Interestingly enough, even the musical instruments are different.
Of considerable significance are the devotional songs and the communities who render these songs. Professional performers like the Bhaats, Dholis, Mirasis, Nats, Bhopas and Bhands are omnipresent across the state. They are patronized by the villagers who participate actively in the shows put up by these traveling entertainers. Some of the better known forms of entertainment are:
Ghoomar Dance: This is basically a community dance for women and performed on auspicious occasions. Derived from the word ghoomna, piroutte, this is a very simple dance where the ladies move gently and gracefully in circles.
Gait Ghoomar:
This is one of the many dance-forms of the Bhil tribals. Performed during Holi festival, this is among a few performances where both men and women dance together.
Gait: Another Holi dance but performed only by men. This becomes Dandia Gair in Jodhpur and Geendad in Shekhawati.
Chart Dance: This is popular in the Kisherigarh region and involves dancing with a chari, or pot, on one’s head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot.
Kachhi Ghodi:
This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate costumes ride the equally well decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords, these dancers move rhythmically to the beating of drums and fifes. A singer narrates the exploits of the Bavaria bandits of Shekhawati.
Fire Dance: The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground is prepared with live wood and charcoal where the Jasnathi men and boys jump on to the fire to the accompaniment of drum beats. The music gradually rises in tempo and reaches a crescendo; the dancers seem to be in a trance like state.
Drum Dance: This is a professional dance-form from Jalore. Five men with huge drums round their necks, some with huge cymbals accompany a dancer who holds a naked sword in his mouth and performs vigorously by twirling three painted sticks.
Teerah Taali:
The Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana perform this dance in honour of theft deity, Baba Ramdeo. A rather unusual performance where the men play a four-stringed instrument called a chau-tara and the women sit with dozens of manjeeras, or cymbals, tied on all over their bodies and strike them with the ones they hold in their hands. Sometimes, the women also hold a sword between their teeth or place pots with lighted lamps on their heads.
Kathputli: Puppet plays based on popular legends are performed by skilled puppeteers. Displaying his skill in making the puppets’ act and dance, the puppeteer is accompanied by a woman, usually his wife, who plays the dholak, or drum and sings the ballad.
Pabuji Ki Phach:
A 14th century folk hero, Pabuji is revered by the Bhopa community. The phad, or scroll, which is about 10 metres long, highlights the life and heroic deed of Pabuji. The Bhopas are invited by villagers to perform in their areas during times of sickness and misfortune. The ballad is sung by the Bhopa as he plays the Ravan-hattha and he is joined by his wife who holds a lamp and illuminates the relevant portions at appropriate points.
Maand:
Rajasthan’s most sophisticated style of folk music and has come a long way from the time it was only sung in royal courts, in praise of the Rajput rulers.professional singers still sing the haunting ballads of moomal mahendra, Dhola-Maru and other legendary lovers and heroes.
List or singers and performers also includes the merasis and jogis of Mewat, Manganiyars and Langas, Kanjars, Banjaras and Dholies. Performances like the Kuchamani Khayal, Maach, Tamasha, Rammat, Nautanki and Raasleela are no less popular. The musical instruments of Rajasthan are simple but quite unusual. Handcrafted by the musicians themselves they are rather unique and include instruments like the Morchang, Naad, Sarangi, Kamayacha, Rawanhattha, Algoza, Khartal, Poongi, Bankia and Da There are dozens of other instruments which are exclusive to Rajasthan only.
It is a rather difficult task to list all the different types of music, dance and entertainment that can be found in Rajasthan. The range is mindboggling Folk music and Dances of Rajasthan
The people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt. After hard work in the harsh desert sun and the rock terrain whenever they take time off they let themselves go in gay abandon. There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other community festivities which transform the hardworking Rajasthani into a fun-loving and carefree individual. Each region has its own folk entertainment, the dance styles differ as do the songs. Interestingly enough, even th( musical instruments are different.
Of considerable significance are the devotional songs and the communities who render these songs. Professional performers like the Bhaats, Dholis, Mirasis, Nats, Bhopas and Bhands are omnipresent across the state. They are patronised by the villagers who participate actively in the shows put up by these travelling entertainers. Some of the better known forms of entertainment
are: Ghoomar Dance: This is basically a community dance for women and performed on. auspiciou occasions. Derived from the word ghoomna, piroutte, this is a very simple dance where the ladie move gently, gracefully in circles.
Gait Ghoomar: This is one of the many dance-forms of the Bhil tribals. Performed during Holi festival, this is among a few performances where both men and women dance together.
Gait: Another Holi dance but performed only by men. This becomes Dandia Gair in Jodhpur an Geendad in Shekhawati.
Chart Dance: This is popular in the Kisherigarh region and involves dancing with a chari, or pc on one’s head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot.
Kachhi Ghodi: This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate costumes ride th equally well decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords, these dancers move rhythmically to the beating of drums and fifes. A singer narrates the exploits of the Bavaria bandits of Shekhawati.
Fire Dance:
The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground is prepared with live wood and charcoal
music gradually rises in tempo and reaches a crescendo, the dancers seem to be in a trance like state. Drum Dance: This is a professional dance-form from Jalore. Five men with huge drums round their necks, some with huge cymbals accompany a dancer who holds a naked sword in h mouth and performs vigorously by twirling three painted sticks.
Teerah Taali:
The Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana perform this dance in honoui of theft deity, Baba Ramdeo. A rather unusual performance where the men play a four-stringed instrument called a chau-tara and the women sit with dozens of manjeeras, or cymbals, tied on i over their bodies and strike them with the ones they hold in their hands. Sometimes, the womer also hold a sword between their teeth or place pots with lighted lamps on their heads.
Kathputli:
Puppet plays based on popular legends are performed by skilled puppeteers. Displaying his skill in making the puppets’ act and dance, the puppeteer is accompanied by a woman, usually his wife, who plays the dholak, or drum and sings the ballad.
Poongi
The snake charmers use it. It has two tubes, one for the notes and the other for the drone
Ghanti
The Ghanti or the Ghanta are commonly used and the ghungroo(ankle bells) form an integr; part of music. The Bhopas of Bherunji wear large ghungroos around their waists and swa their bodies to provide a rhythm. The war dance of the Godwad area, the Ramjhol, i performed to the rhythm of the large ankle bells. Then there are the Manjeeras which ar
Folk Heritage Foundation Of Rajasthan has been successful in recreating the magic of Rajasthan art at different places all around the world thorough teams of very talented folk singer and dancers, cultures show, rural tourism development and training courses that Rajasthan has to offer or further information about activities and programmes than contact us at.
