Lecture 19 – Folk Dance of
Rajasthan
By Siddharthh Sir
Folk Dance
Rajasthan has been a colourful land
of various arts including dances, hence
the sobriquet Rangeela Rajasthan.
The uncomplicated movement of the
body in harmony with the rhythm of
some tune or a song is called folk dance.
Unlike classical dance, folk dance
does not follow strict rhythm or beat.
These folk dances of the common
folk are the artistic expression of their
lives.
The tradition of folk dance has
continued for centuries which is in tune
with colorful costumes and area-specific
traditions on occasions of folk festivals,
fairs, local rituals etc.
The folk dances are influenced by
geographical locations, social customs
etc.
The famous connoisseur of art and
the founder of Lok Kala Mandal of
Udaipur, Devi Lal Samar, has divided the
folk dances of Rajasthan in three types
on the basis of the geographical
features of the regions of their
prevalence hilly, Rajasthani, and dances
of eastern plains (purvi maidani).
Some folk dances have become the
identity of specific regions of Rajasthan.
Gair Dance
Gair is the famous folk dance of
Mewar and Barmer region.
Men with wooden sticks in their
hands dance in circles on the occasion
of Holi.
As this dance is performed in circles,
it is called "gair" and the dancers are
called 'gairiye'.
The basic structure of gair dance of
Mewar and Barmer is same.
The difference is in the movement
and the process of the formation of
groups. The main instruments used are
dhol, bankiya and thali.
Gindar Dance
This famous dance of Shekhawati
region continues for a week during days
of
Holi. Men dance to the beats of the
nagada and with every beat of nagada,
the men strike their sticks. This dance is
purely for men.
The instruments used in this dance
are dhol, tambourine, and chang.
Songs related to Holi are also sung.
Some men dress as women and
participate in this dance and are called
gangaur.
The men wear a variety of disguises
like saint, hunter, seth-sethani, bride
groom, sardar, pathan, priest, magician,
etc.
Kachhi Ghodi Dance
This is the commercial folk dance of
the regions of Shekhawati and
Kuchaman, Parbatsar, Deedwana etc.
This dance is performed on the
occasion of marriages.
The instruments used are dhol or
drum and thali.
The dancer dresses up like a warrior
and dances with a sword in his hand,
mounted on a horse made of wood and
cloth.
Chang Dance
This dance is performed by men
during the festival of Holi in Shekhawati
region.
In this dance, every mean dances in
a circle playing chang.
Then they gather in the middle of
the circle and sing songs of merriment
and Holi.
Dandiya Dance
This is the famous dance of Marwar
which is performed after Holi.
A group of 20-25 men dance in a
circle with dandiyas in their hands.
The singers and the nagada and
shehnai players sit in the middle square
of the field.
Men sing lok-khayal and Holi songs
in laya or rhythm.
These songs are primarily in praise
of Bhaironji of Badhali.
The dresses worn by the dancers are
of kings, saints, Shiv, Ramchandra,
Krishna, queens, Sita etc.
The guise of the king resembles that
of the ancient rulers of Marwar.
Agni Dance
The famous Agni dance of Jasanathi
cult originated in Katriyasar village of
Bikaner.
The disciples of the dancers of
Jasanathi sect are the people of Jat
siddh tribe. Only men take part in this
dance.
The pile of embers is called 'Dhuna'.
The dancers dance in front of their
gurus and while chanting 'fatefate' they
step onto the "Dhuna".
The dancers use the embers and
present everyday actions such as
ploughing the field, cracking water
melon etc.
Artistically The blend of fire with
raag and fang (songs sung during Holi) is
rare and unique
feature of this dance.
Ghudla
Ghudla is the famous folk dance of
Jodhpur.
This dance is performed only by
women. In this dance, women carry
perforated pots on their heads with
burning lamps inside.
This pot is called ghudla.
Dhol Dance
Dhol dance is a famous folk dance of
Jalore.
This dance is performed by the men
of Dholi and Bhil castes on the occasion
of weddings.
Former Chief Minister Mr.
Jayanarayan Vyas helped these
professional dancers to eam recognition
and acclaim.
In this dance 4-5 drums are played
simultaneously.
The drummer starts playing the dhol
in 'thaakna' style.
Once 'thaakna' stops, the men, some
with swords in their mouth, some with
sticks in their hands, some with
handkerchiefs around their arms start
dancing to a rhythm.
Bum Dance
This is a famous folk dance of
Bharatpur and Alwar region.
This dance is performed by men to
celebrate coming of the new harvest in
the month of Fagun.
In this dance, a big nagada called
bum is played while standing with two
thick sticks.
Along with nagada, the other
instruments like thali, chimta, dholak,
etc are used.
Ghoomar
Famous as the dance of the
Rajasthan state, Ghoomar is a popular
dance performed by women on
auspicious occasions, festivals etc.
The circumference of the lehenga
which spreads in a circular form is called
'ghumm'.
The instruments used are dhol,
nagada, clarinet, etc.
The repeated spin in this dance
along with flexible hand movements
make the dance impressive.
Garba
Gujarat and Rajasthan's cultural
fusion can be seen in Garba.
This dance is very popular in
Dungarpur and Banswara.
This is performed during Navratri in
worship of goddess Durga. This dance is
performed in three styles.
The first style is worship of power.
Women place a perforated earthen pot
with a lamp burning in side, on their
head and dance moving in circles.
The second form of Garba takes the
form of presentation of the love of
Radha-Krishna, Gopas and Gopis.
In the third form, themes depicting
the beauty of the folk life are
presented, such as women fetching
water, the emotions of a newlywed
bride, women busy with household
chores, etc.
Valar Dance
This dance performed by men and
women is a famous dance of Garasiya
tribe of the Sirohi region.
No instrument is used in this slow-
paced dance.
This dance is performed in semi
circles.
It has two semi circles with women
form the inner while the men form the
outer circle.
The dance starts by a man holding
an umbrella or a sword in his hand.
Bhawai Dance
Among the commercial folk dances
of Rajasthan, 'Bhawai' is very famous for
its extraordinary lithe body movements,
exceptional body balance and variations
of rhythm.
Some of its specialities are creating a
lotus flower by flashing colourful
turbans in the air, dance with 7-8
earthen pots on the head, picking up a
handkerchief lying on the floor with lips,
dancing on the edges of glass and
plates, and dancing on the edges of
swords and pieces of glass. In Udaipur
region, this dance is performed in many
names and themes - Shankarya, Surdas,
Boti, Dhokri, Bikaji and Dhola-Maru.
The famous artistes of this dance
form are Roop Singh Shekhawat,
Dayaram and Tara Sharma.
Only trained dancers can perform
this dance.
Terah Taali Dance
Kamad caste sing the glory of Baba
Ramdev ji through this Tera taali dance.
Kamad women present this song in
festivals and fairs.
The men play tanpura, cymbals and
chautara.
This dance is performed with 13
cymbals (manjira) tied on various parts
of the body-nine cymbals on the right
leg, one on each arm above the elbow,
and one held in each hand.
A beautiful sound is created by
hitting the cymbals on the various parts
of the body with the cymbals in the
hands.
Mangi bai and Lakshman Das are the
prominent dancers of this dance form.
In 2010, UNESCO included Kalbeliya
dance form in its intangible heritage list.
The famous dancer of this dance type,
Gulabo, brought fame to this dance in
India and abroad.
Among other dances Neja, Ramani,
War dance, Hathimana, Ghoomra, etc.
are the dances of the Bheel tribes.
Ghoomar, Gaur, Jawara, Moriya,
Loor, Kood, Mandal, etc. are the dances
performed by the Garasiya tribe.
Indoni, Panihari, Bagadiya,
Shankariya, Chakri, etc. are the dances
of the Kalbeliyas.
Chari and Jhoomar dances are
performed by the Gurjars
The fish dance is performed by the
Banjaras.
Chakri, Dhakad etc. are the dances
of the Kanjars.
Hunting dance is the folk dance of
the Sehariya tribe.
Mavliya is Kathaudi tribe's dance.
