FOLK DANCES

The colorful dances of Rajasthan have evolved over thousands of years and reflect the vivacity of the Rajasthani and his celebration of life. There are tribes that specialize in a particular form of dance and the result is a spellbinding performance- best seen in a fair, at a village or in your hotel.

Dance is an expression of human emotion as much as music and it is found in almost limitless variations in Rajasthan. Simple, unsophisticated, dancing is seen in their fairs and festivals in the Kudakna of the Meena boys, the dancing which goes with the Rasiya songs of Braj, and the dancing by women and men where the women carry a pot or a lighted lamp on their head. In the Charkula dance of Braj, an elaborate lamp stand replaces the single lamp.

The famous Ghoomer, Rajasthan’s popular dance gets its name from ghoomer, the pirouetting which displays the spectacular colors of the flowing Ghaghara, the long skirt of the Rajasthani women. Men have a range of their own more vigorous dances. The Gair of Mewar has inner and outer circles of dancers who move diagonally or loop in and out. It is intricate and fascinating. The Gair of Jodhpur is performed in a single file and martial costumes are worn for effect. The Geendad of Shekhawati is similar. Sticks or swords are often used in male dances, and the Shekhawati dance has the daf accompanying it.

Free dancing full of zest, with rows of dancers waving colorful pennants, makes the Bam rasiya of the Braj region spectacular. It is performed at holi. The Kucchhi Ghodi or Dummy Horse dance is performed on festive occasions.

The terahtali is a tantalizing dance performed by women while sitting. The women have manjeeras (little brass discs) tied with long strings to their wrists, elbows, waists, arms and a pair in their hands as well. Their male accompanists sing and play the tandoora while the women, with dextrous and fine movements, create a strong rhythm with the manjeeras. For added effect they may hold a sword between their teeth or balance pots of lighted lamps on their heads.

The dance of the Kalbelias women is vigorous and graceful. An authentic fire dance is performed by the Jasnathis of Bikaner and Churu districts. The accompanying music rises in tempo as the dance progresses, ending with the performer dancing on brightly glowing embers-a breathtaking and deeply impressive sight.