Topic: Folk Dances

Question : Briefly discuss the chief characteristics of folk dances.

Answer. Whereas classical dances tend to be subject to a definite order and a complicated system of gesture languages, footwork and body movements, folk dance is generally much more spontaneous. Its primary impulse in rhythm; its roots lie in religious and seasonal festivals, and dance it is often guided by songs glorifying nature, expressing traditional occupations and offering devotion to deities. The vast majority of folk dances are performed by groups of people, usually consisting of either men or women. Certain basic dance patterns exist. These have been described in medieval Sanskrit literature and consist of the pindi (gourp), the thrinkhala (chain), lata (creeper) and bhedyaka (the separate movement of each dancer away from the group). Even more basic is the rasak or rasa, referring to a circular dance. There are two kind of rasa dance; the Talai-rasa, with rhythmic clapping of hands, and the Danda-rasa, in which each dancer marks the rhythm with a pair of stikcs. Through these dances unsupported by the written word, and established by its tremendous sociological impact, customs and tradition have been established and people’s aesthetics enriched. With national consciousness for the arts growing from day-to-day many of these beautiful expressive dances are coming to urban audience and are being received with the enthusiasm and success they deserve.

Question : Briefly discuss the folk dances of South India.

Answer: Kolattam is a dance by young girls with little lacquered sticks held in hands to celebrate the birthday of Rama. Originating from Tamil Nadu, this dance form is popular throughout India. Another variety of this dance form is popular throughout India. Another variety of this dance is known as Pinnal Kilattam accompanied with song or chorus that speak of the trapping of the sticks in rhythm, of the twinning of the strammers, of happy youth and that of happy dance.

Vasanta Attam is a dance of Spring, when the trees are in blossom and the air is crisp with the perfume of flowers, the peasants dance to celebrate the birth of nature. Palms coloured with turmeric and bodies dressed in orange saris with vivid contrasting borders, girls and young women foregather before the village deity and crown her with garlands. Little boys and girls bring mango buds and sing in chorus to the accompanishment of cymbals, hand clapse and the choluk. They sing and dance extolling mother goddess, the Earth.

Kummi dance usually takes place in Tamil Nadu during the Hindu New Year of the South which falls in January just after the Pongal festival. Groups of young girls dance with varying steps and clapping hands using their little minding steps in circles upon circles. Kummi takes several forms in Tamil Nadu. There is also a flower dance to a song that extols the beauty of many blossoms.

Dummy Horse Dance

One of the most picturesque and interesting performance is the Dummy Horse Dance play done in rural south India near the temple towards autumn. Heavily attired in colourful costumes, dancers stand in a frame of a horse made of paper, cloth and light wood, brilliantly painted and draped. The dance lasts for hours together on wooden legs to the rhythm of music and drums. These dance-plays depict mythological stories.

Ootam Tullal is a type of pantomime akin to Kathakali. It is usually performed by a single accompanied by a singer, a drummer and a cymbal player. The pantomime interprets some of the choicest and select experts of Malayalam literature in an amazingly enchanting manner. Kaikottkkali is performed by young women and girls in Kerala. The chorus songs based on mythological stores build the crescendo of the dance in circles with slow and measured speed.

Tappatikkali is performed by young women and girls in Kerala during the festival of Lord Shiva. One of the elder women in the group commences the song and leads the dancers the others repeating what the sings and following her movements. Circling round and round and clapping their hands to the rhythm of their steps and the music, the dance mirrors the rural simplicity and the vivaciousness.

Dollu Kunitha among the perfomring folk arts of Karnataka Dollu Kunitha (Drum Dance) is outstandingly attractive and dynamic. It is a masculine dance because it is confined to males with good physique and at the same time keep the best on the hollow drum tied to his waist.

The Dollu Kunitha came down to Karnataka as a tradition of Beereswara worshipped by the Shepherd class of Karnataka. It is an inevitable religious and cultural ritual and is performed mostly by Kurubas, the devottes of Beere Devaru.

Generally, the performing troops consists of 15 to 20 persons. They stand in a circle and move as they start beating their drums. They group into different formations and display their artistry.

Vyomalata Leather Puppet Show: Leather puppet show is popularly known as shadow play. This art is very popular in South India. The performers belong to a caste of Killekvatas who speak a Marathi dialect. They took the local Folk Dramas for their performances with their puppets. The Leather Puppets are made out of goat or dear skin. The themes are drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharatha and Shivapurana.

Veerabhadreswara Nruthya: The dance form depicts the story of Veerabhadra, the legendary minor god created by Lord Siva to teach a lesson to his father-in-law Daksha.

The costume here is traditional and colourful to depict the folk tradition. The troops consists of 15 artistes of whom eight are musicians. Veerabhadra is the central character and the others provide the ensemble effect.

Pooja Kunitha: This is a dance of worship to propitiate goddess Shakti. A frame made out of bamboo is covered with beautiful sarees. The artiste who dances carrying the frame on his hand calls for special skill in the centre of the frame the ‘face’ of the goddess made out of copper or some other metal can be seen. On festive days or special occasions, the artistes dance to fulfil their pledges. This dance is usually performed in front of the temple of Goddess Shakti.

It is very popular in Madhya, Bangalore and Kolar districts.

Karaga is a religious folk dance prevalent in Kolar, Bangalore, Tumkur and Mysore districts. The person who performs Karaga wears a beautiful decorated brass pot and dances with full of maneuvers.

Kumbha on the head of the dancer is a significant factor for Karaga, The Vannikula, a sect of Kshatriva community, performs Karaga dance.

Karadi Majalu is a percussion ensemble of Karnataka, traditionally performed in the Northern parts during social and religious functions and festivals to propitiate deities. The instruments used here include Karadi Vadya (drum) in accomplishment with Sanadi, Sati, Dimmu and Chaugada.

Costumes generally comprise of Kase panche, Kase Shirt, colourful turbans and similar coloured waist bands. The artistes dance to the orchestral support standing in a semi-circle with rhythmic movements.

Gorava dance of Karnataka is a religious dance performed by the devotees of Lord Mylaralinga. Mylara is a Shivite Centre situated in North Karnataka. The Goravas sing songs in their god and dance to the tune of Damaruga and Flute.

Mudalapaya Yakshagana is a dance prevalent in North and South Karnatka. The lead singer in this tradition is called Bhagavatha. He is the Guru who teaches dance and dialogue to the amateur village artistes.

The Songs which form part of the play are sung by him and the actors dance to the verses, drums and cymbals. Mudalapaya is known for its fine music vigorous dance and gorgeous costumes.

Veeragase is the symbolic presentation of heroism and volour of Veerabhadra during Daksha Yajnya of mythological lore. This is a popular folk form of Halnad in Karnataka. The exponents called “Lingada veeraru” perform with all religious fervour on festive day, especially during Shravana and Kartika.

Sporting an unsheathed sword in the right and a wooden prague of Veerabhadra on the left and, the performers display martial dance to the accompaniment of Karadi and Chammal drums.

Halakki Suggi Kunitha: This dance is performed by Halakki Vokkaligas have many folk arts of their own. Their harvest dance is well-known. They have a beautiful head gear which is very colourful. They dance to the tune of a drum called Gummate.

Question Give a brief description of the folk dances of North India.

Answer. Kalri is an occasion when the peasants in north India propitiate the Vedic God Indra and pray for the nourishment of the earth and fire and a successful harvest. Performed in raily season the dance movements follow the songs that are accompanied by the rhythmic beat of the dholuk and cymbals.

Nautanki is one of the most popular folk dance of Uttar Pradesh with songs recited in operative style. Acting and dance movements interpret stories connected with mythology and also modern social problems.

Ras Lila is an equally popular dance form originating in Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, which are closely connected with the life of Lord Krishna. Fine movements, some of them being common with those of the Kathak, are most attractive. Playing the roles of the Gopies and Radha, the expression of the dancers is full of freshness and charm.

Karan is a dance to worship the holy tree marking the happy period when the harvest is over. The dance festival commences with fasting during the day.

Jhora is a community dance and is done by both men and women, all castes joining in the celebration. Dancing to a court of four or eight beats, they stand and bend, sit down and then prange around in a merry alternation of movement and counter movement.

Chappeli is one of the romantic dances of the Kumaon hils which is often performed at weddings and spring time. Depicting as it does the spirit of romance, dancers perform in twos, holding a mirror in one hand and a coloured handkerchief in the other had which they gracefully wave, as they advance forwards and backwards in rhythmic stepping.

The Thali dance, done entirely by Jaunsar women is an embodiment of grace. Holding brass trays, forming circles, moving forward and backward, the dancers move with slow steps with songs on their lips. The Thali dance is a commemoration of the ancient days of chivalry when men danced before going into battle. The dance is very forceful, full of firm stepping and men brandish sword, they move faster to the accompaniment of the nagara drums and curling trumpets.

Rauf dances are performed essentially by women in Jammu during harvesting season. Dancing in two rows, about fifteen girls in each, form a sort of a chain by placing their arms across one another’s backs. Dressed in bright skirts and draperies with heavy ornaments of silver, their faces laden with smiles and animation, the dancers create a heavenly charm and delight.

Hikat is another dance of Jammu in which groups of young girls and boys express sheer joy and exhuberance. Their hands held crosswise pairs of dancers spin in fast circles. This is a feat requiring food balance, perfect timing and precise movement of the feet.

Bhangra is the most popular and best known dance of Punjab, performed on all festive occasions. It is symbolic of exuberance and gaiety generally associated with the nature of people living in this part of India. Forming into a usually large circles, dancers start going round with as many new entrants as the time or occasion demands. The drummer is in the centre giving fillip to dancer’s speed and movement. As the dancer’s get into the spirit of the dance, they produce a rhythmic cry of joy.

Question : Give a brief description of the folk dances of East and North-Eastern India .

Ans. Basant Manipuri folk dance and a type of Raslila, is Ras performed at full moon in March-April. In depicts the story of a misunderstanding between Radha and Krishna but it comes to a happy ending after a good deal of persuasion by Krishna.

Baul is dance-song from Bengal, which are mainly devotional in nature with Vaishnava characteristic.

Jadur folk dance of the Boomiyas of Orissa, is performed to propitiate Burn Bonga a deity of the tribe. This dance is also performed by the Orasn tribe of Bihar.

Jata Jatin a folk dance of Bihar, it is performed by Mithila women on moon-lit nights during the monsoons, depicting the romance of Jata and Jatin.

Karama a folk dance of Bihar, it is generally performed in the rainy season. It is performed by boys and girls who carry sticks on their shoulders during the dance.

Kathi a Bengali folk dance, is unique for its rhythmic footwork and for the remarkable synchronisation in the beating of the sticks which the dancers hold in their hands.

Keli Gopal a folk dance of Assam, depicts episodes from the life of Krishna.

Khamba Lim an Assamese folk dance, is performed at the beginning of the harvest season, by two groups of dancers- male and female- who stand in two rows.

Mahras a Manipuri folk dance and a type of Raslila, is performed during the full moon night in December. It depicts the separation of divine lovers. Krishna and Radha. Ultimately Krishna returns to Radha.

Maya Shavari is a folk dance of Orissa in which the mightiest of the gods and goddess are treated as ordinary human beings.

Nat Puja an Assamese folk dance, performed with a sword in both hands, is an invocation to the supreme deity, Siva, who assures victory to his devotees in time of war. 

Natha Ras is a Manipuri folk dance and a type of Raslila. In this dance eight gopies dance with Krishna.

Nruira Lim. This Assamese folk dance is also known as cock-fight dance. It is performed by groups of boys and girls who stand opposite to each other and stage a mook fight.

Raslila a Manipuri folk dance, it was initially visualized by Maharaja Jay Singh, probably in 1700 A.D. Since Raslila is based on the Vaishnav theme, it is played in different parts of the country in the fold of semi-classical traditions in the form of dance or dance-dramas like the Raslila of Brij (U.P.).

Ruk Mar Nacha This is an attractive folk dance from Orissa. The Ruk Mar Nacha dance- which means to ‘defend and attack’ is a highly stylised mock fight. It is generally performed in the Mayurbhanj district of Orissa and is believed to be the rudimentary form of the evolved Chhow dances of the region.

Sarbul a folk dance of the Oraons (Bihar). It is also called summer dance and is more or less a martial dance.

Thambal chonabi a Manipuri folk dance, it is a merry social dance performed during the festival of Holi.

Question: Give an account of the folk dances of Western India.

Answer : Rasa Nritya is considered to be the form of Rasa Leela, which Krishna used to perform when he was leading the life of a cow-herd boy at Gokul and Vrandavan. In several Sanskrit treaties and books its is mentioned as the form of Halli Saka Nritya of which Danda Rasak, Tala Rasak and Laleet Rasa were the varieties.

Danda Rasak known as Dandia Rasa is by itself very simple and is generally performed by a group of youthful people who move in a circle to measured steps, marking time by sticks called Dandias which they keep in their hands, also sing in chorus accompanied by dhol, cymbals, zanz, flute or shehnai.

Tala and Lalit Rasaka. Similarly when the time measure is  kept with clapping of hands instead of ‘sticks’, it is called ‘Tala Rasak”. This is also called Garbi in Saurashtra where generally the males participate. In Gujarat, Dandia Rasa is more popular in Saurashtra than in any other part and performed during the Janmashtami and other festive occasions connected with God Krishna’s life. There are various types of Rasas such as Chokdi, Swastik and Kapai.

Matki Nritya is a lyrical variation of the Rasa Dance which depicts the love episodes of God Krishna during his younger days. The time beat is maintained by striking their fingers or rings on the fingers on the empty pots.

Mer Rasa. Mers are a virile community which migrated to Saurashtra with Jathwa Rajputs soon after the fall of Valabhis in the 8th century A.D. they are at present found in the Porbandar region of Junagarh District and Baradi region of Jamnagar District in Saurashtra. The Rasa of Mars begins in a slow tempo which warms up at the end. They strike the Dandias so furiously and bring so much of verve and vigour in the bodily movements that it looks more like sabre rattling in a war dance.

Kutchhi Rasa Kutch, is a repository of some of the most ancient traits of the culture of Gujarat. But so far as folk dances are concerened, the variety which is extant is a form of Rasa popularly known as Kutchhi Rasa. It is very akin to the Mer Dance in movement, tempo and music except its warlike character. Only male dancers participate. Usual accompaniments are Dhol and Shehnai.

Gher and Gherria Rasa Gher is a variation of Rasa Nritya which is more popular in Rajasthan and some parts of Malwa. There, it is a favourite dance of Minas who are akin to the Bhills.

Gherria Rasa in the South Gujarat is a sort of dance wherein the agricultural labourers of Surat District hold a Dandia in one hand and a peacock feather on the other with which they make different movements and keep time. They go singing to a temple and the player who leads the singing is called Kavio. The dance is a male dance wherein everyone done a very colourful costume and wears simple ornaments.

Gof Gunthan. This is a form of Dandia Rasa a maypole dance of Gujarat wherein the process of Gof Gunthan i.e. weaving a rope proceeds along with the dance. The Gof Gunthar, popularly known as Athanga Nritya in Gujarat is a very intricate and entertaining variation of the Dandia Rasa. In this dance, every player holds a stick in one hand and a coloured strin in the others which is attached to hook at the top.

Garba Nritya. Just as Krishna popularised the Rasa form of dance, similarly, Usha, the grand daughter-in-laws of Krishna, i.e. the wife of Anirudhdha and daughter of King Banasura of Shonitpur is credited to have popularised the form of Lasya Nritya which came to be known as the Garba Dance.

The Garba Nritya is a circular form of dance performed by the village as well as the urban ladies and the occasion for this dance is especially Navaratri, Sharad, Purnima, Vasant Panchmi, Holi and other festival occasions. The word “Garba” derives its name after a lamp called “Garbhadip”, meaning the lamp inside the earthern pot. The light in the earthern pot symbolises the emboroyonic life. The ladies place it on their head and move in a circle and sing songs in honour of Mother Goddess.

Bhil Nritya. The border tracts of Gujarat have a large population of Bhils who have much in common with the Bhils of Rajasthan. Of the important forms of Bhil dance, the war dance and hunter’s are more or less or ritualistic variety. In the Holi dance, the males and females indulge in a gay revelry of dance. In a war dance, the bow and arrow, the sword and spears, are flourished and the dancers indulge in a wild and boisterous performance to the accompaniment of Dhol and flute.

Siddi Nritya. The Africans in Gujarat are called Siddis. Therse Siddi dancers hail from a place called Jambur situated in the Forest of Gir, near Junagarh, well-known as the only habitat of lions in Asia. Though three hundred years of domicile in India have made them perfect Indian citizens, they have still retained in their folk dances. Some features which resemble their counterparts in Africa. Though the songs they sing while dancing are in Gujarati, they have a ilting refrain and ferocious rhythm, let loose by their primitive drums which remind us of the African tribal music. Their dances are called Dhamal and Hamchi wherein they recreate all the vigour, verve and ferocity for which the African tribal dances are so well known.

Dangi Nritya. The forest areas of Dangs, a district of south Gujarat touches the borders of Maharashtra and absorbed many influences of the tribal forms of the folks dances of Central India. Dangi Nritya is more or less very akin to Oraon tribal dances of Bihar. It has refreshing vigour and movements which are similar to those of Jadur dance also. This region of Gujarat rich both in forest wealth and folk dance is now getting its due share of development and recognition of its contribution to the folk culture of Gujarat.

Manjira Nritya (Cymbal Dance). Most of the folk dances in Gujarat have group formations. But the Manjira dance is the only form of a sole dance preserved only by the women of a community called Kamalias in Saurashtra. The dance is generally performed by a woman who sits on the ground with “Manjiras” tied on all parts of her body i.e. head, hand, chest, waist, thighs, anklet, and feet. A naked sword is held in the mouth and an earthen pot is balanced on the head with a burning lamp on it. The dancer holds a pair of “Manjiras” in each hand to the accompaniment of music and tablas she rhythmiable swings to and from the strikes “Manjiras” held in her hands on other “Manjiras affixed on different parts of her body. A slightly different form of this variation exists in Rajasthan, where it is known as Teratali.

Tippani Nritya. Although most of the dance forms in Gujarat are either connected with Lord Krishna’s episodes of life or other Shakti cults, there are some dance forms which typically represent the community activities and their functional aspect. Such activities are clearly visible in a dance form called Tippani Nritya performed by the women of Chorwad, a seaside place near Somnath. These women are generally labourers, who is spite of the advent of tiles and cement concrete, have still maintained their ancient vocation.

The orchestration is quite simple. The drummer accompanied by zanz and cymbal players controls the tempo and the pace of movements. He is also the person, who leads the singing too.

Hali Nrtya. The Hallis belong to a community called Dublas from Udwada in Surat District, who are a sect of ancient community called Bhils. Their festive occasion for dances are Holi, Diwali and marriages. The usual accompanishment is a Turi and a Thali, i.e. brass plate.The steps of the dance change with every new formation with a corresponding change in the measure. A row of women with arms interlaced dance in a straight line opposite a row of males. Both the rows of males and females swing forward and backward with swiftness and agility to the tuneful rhythm of Turi and Thali. Their dance begins with a fairly fast tempo and continues changing the patterns of the rows, while the Turi and Thali players take position in the midst of dancers and play the instruments against each group.

Padhar Nritya. Padhar Nritya derives its name from a community called Padhar who are one of the tribal communities of Gujarat. Ranagarh, one of the villages of Bhal situated in the Surendranagar District has produced one of the most distinguished troops of folk dancers of Gujarat. This ancient Community has preserved a form of folk dance which typifies their life, which is full of toil, enterprise and joy of boating and rowing mariners, the undulating seawaves and introduce the hilarity of rural joy.

They sit with bended knees in a ring formation and with little cymals in their hands they keep timing and sing in chorus. they rise up and down, move to and fro and simulate the vigorous movements of Boat rowing. They rise with bended knees and life down and roll from side to side. After this dance is over, they change to a form termed as Zakolia, wherein they mainly use the zanz i.e. big and flat cymbal. Four persons form the circular formation stand in the middle with zanz tied to long strings. The folk instruments used in the performance are tablas, zanz, cymbals and a grotesque instrument called Bagalia.

Tamasha is an operation folk dance from Maharashtra with a certain amount of dancing in it. The player sing and narrate stories with mime interwoven by dancers. Men do forceful martial movements and women sing in high tones  with their dancing steps that are quick concise and staccato accentuating the gusto by rhythmic pauses.

Dholacha Nach. This dance takes its name after the name of the drum dhol. Two other similar folk dances named after musical instruments and Tamboricha nach after the tambori and the Tarapicha Nach after the wind instrument tarapi. The formation of most of these dances is circular.

Tarapi is performed at the time of Holi by the Warlis and The kars. The tarapi dances are of many types, each taking its name either from the predominant movement or the formation. There are nearly nine or ten different types of formations which are executed in the Tarapi dances, and in each there is a characteristic pattern of foot movements, by swings and hand and arm movements.

Gauricha is a popular folk dance of the Kunabis of Kolaba. This dance is also known as Cheuli Nach and Jakhadia. This dance is usually performed on Gauri Puja or Ganapati Puja.

Dindi and Thekala. Both these are associated with Lord Krishna and the description of his childhood pranks. The Dindi is a dance of the Rasa Variety.

The Kala is performed around Gokul Ashtami, and is connected with the breaking of a dahi handi. The dancers from a pyramidical structure to enact the breaking of earthern pot.

Question : Give an account of the folk dances of Rajasthan ?

Ans. Ghumar or Jhumar is the most popular folk dance of Rajasthan. Performed in all seasons, it is always accompanied by songs of love, glory or defeat. Men and women dance in a circle, one half made of men and the other half of women with the accompaniment of instrumental and vocal music. 

Raika is a martial folk dance, in which men and women both participate. The men hold swords and sing invoking the gods to grant them strength. Men and women then form circle and move in steps.Jhoria. The word Jhoria which means a wooden stick, is a marriage dance. The men form one circle, the women another and they perform a vivacious dance to the accompani-ment of Nagara. Shehani and Dhol.Dandiya and the Dhamal are the circular stick dances of men. They are associated with the Lord-Krishna legend and the songs such during the dance tell the story of God Krishna’s boyhood.Kachi Ghori is performed by the Bavaris and Saegaras of eastern Rajasthan. As the name implies, the dance is a presentation of horse riding. The horse used in the dance is made of bamboo sticks and dancer dressed as a bridgeroom, “adjusts the horse” on his waist in such a way as to create a realistic effect.Bhavai is a ballad, dance drama and theatre performed by the Bhavai community. The themes of these dances are based on the popular love story, historical or social incidents.

 

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