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Music
and Dance
are deeply ingrained in Rajasthani life. The stillness of the desert
evening and the upsurge of life in the short- lived rainy season or
spring are filled with soulful, full- throated music and rhythmic dance,
Instruments such as sarangi, kamaycha, satara, nad, and morchang create
a widerange of liting and melodious sound in accompanment to the music
of the Bhopas, Kalbeliyas, Langas and the Manganiyars as well as the
lively and spontaneous dances, ghoomar, gair and chari. Through songs
the legendary battles of the Rajputs are told. The music engenders both
a spirit of identity and provides entertainment as relief from the daily
grind of wrenching a living from the inhospitable land of heat and dust
storms.
Folk
Music
There is a great tradition of popular poetry, which is written under
the rival banners of Turru and Kalangi. This is a sung in groups in
Jikri, Kanhaiyya or Geet, Hele-ke-Khyal and Bam Rasiya of Eastern Rajasthan.
The Folk music of Rajasthan is an indispensible component of functions
such asweddings, engagements, and births. There is a plethora of songs
for such occasions. There are also many songs associated with planting
and harvesting. In these activities the villagers routinely sing of
their hopes, fears and aspirations. These songs are best enjoyed in
the Ratijagas- the nightlong soirees of devotional songs which induces
a trance-like spiritual milieu. Other traditional songs that reflect
the rich traditional heritage of Rajasthan include Endooni, Morubai,
Diggipura ka raja, Dhola dhol majira baje re. Folk songs of Rajasthan
depict various moods including loneliness of lovers, their union, inter-personal
relationship, laughter, faith and happiness. Folk music is also used
for educational purposes.
Instrument
The haunting melody of Rajasthan evokes from a variety of delightfully
primitive looking instruments. The stringed variety include the Sarangi,
Rawanhattha, Kamayacha, Morchang and Ektara.Percussion instruments come
in all shapesand sizes from the huge Nagaras and Dhols to the tiny Demrus.
The Daf and Chang are a big favorite of the Holi (the festival of colors)
revelers Flutes and bagpipers come in local flavors such as Shehnai,
Poongi, Algoza, Tarpi, Been and Bankia.
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Rajasthan
Dance
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Kalbelia
Dance
This fascinating kalbelia dance is performed by the women of Kalbelia
community, age-old occupation being catching snakes and trading snake
venom. Hence the dance movements and the costumes bear resemblance to
that of the serpents. Dancers are attired in traditional black swirling
skirts, sway sinuously to the accompaniment of pungi, dufli and plaintive
notes of the 'been' - the wooden instrument of the snake charmers. Two
or three women sing in a high-pitched, free flowing voice, while others
join in the dance. The vigorous and zestful display of their perfect
movements to the enchanting tune of musical instruments is a treat to
the eyes.
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, gracefully in circles. The Ghoomar
is the characteristic dance of the Bhils. Men and women sing alternately
and move clockwise & anticlockwise giving free and intended play
to the ample folds of ghagra.
The
Kucchi Ghodi
Free dancing full of zest, with rows of dancers waving colourful 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, by men who are as colourfuly attired, as are their
horses.
Gair
Goomar
This dance requires a lot of patience and balance. The dancers carry
brightly lit brass pots on their heads, displaying many flexible movements
of the body. It is a dance of gay occassions
Fire
Dance
The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Churu are renowned for their tartaric power
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 vigourously by twirling three
painted sticks.
Terah
Taal ( Thirteen Beats )
This is a dance of professional expertise where the dancer performs
with the help of hollow metallic discs (Manjeeras) tied on the hands,
legs and foreheads - a thirteen different places. The performers, mostly
ladies, start beating these manjeeras at thirteen different places in
rhythms with the music.
Caari
or Pot Dance
This dance requires a lot of patience and balance. The dancers carry
brightly lit brass pots on their heads, displaying many flexible movements
of the body. It is a dance of gay occassions
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