|
|
|
Well Known Folk Dances
from East & South India
In addition to the
Classical
Dance Forms of India which are performed all across
India, folk dances are also quite well known, especially in the
small villages and towns. Indian
Folk Dances - West & North India
A Way of Life
- The beauty of folk
dances is second to none. India is blessed with a rich cultural
heritage and the folk dances of India celebrate this culture in
the best possible way. In the numerous villages and towns of India,
folk dances are performed during celebrations such as on special
occasions, wish fulfillment, harvest, festivals or religious ceremonies.
It is a time when people come together and indulge in an art form
which is traditional and in their blood.
Let's take a look
at some of the beautiful folk dances of East India and South India
-
1.
Folk Dances of East India -
- Bamboo Dance, Mizoram -
Also known as "Cheraw", the Bamboo dance
is one of the most popular and loved dance of the people of Mizoram.
The use of bamboo sticks is an essential part of this dance form.
While some dancers place the bamboo sticks horizontally on the
ground and move them, the other dancers step across and between
the sticks in an "in and out motion". The sticks produce
a clapping sound, producing an interesting sound. To perform this
dance, practice, skills and alertness are very important.
|
|
- Hazagiri Dance, Tripura
- Being a
harvest dance, the Hazagiri is performed in the hope of
a good harvest. Through this dance, the dancers hope to
receive the blessings of Goddess Hazagiri, a form of Goddess
Lakshmi. The women dancers place pots on their heads and
dance to a slow tempo. Slowly, men dancers also join in
and the tempo increases towards the end of the dance.
- Karma
or Munda Dance, Bihar - Performed
by men and women together, the Karma dance is a traditional
folk dance of Bihar. After planting the trees, the dancers
dance in circles around the trees.
- Bihu Dance, Assam
- The
Bihu dance is a very popular and loved folk dance of Assam.
A part of the Bihu festival, this dance is performed by
young boys and girls who form separate groups and perform
the dance in the open. The Bihu dance takes place after
harvesting has been completed.
- Vrita or Brita Dance,
West Bengal - A
popular folk dance from Bengal, the Brita dance is performed
by women in the rural areas to ask for God's blessings.
While some women perform this dance after recovering from
a serious illness, others do it after wish fulfillment.
|
- Kali Dance or Kali Naach -
As
the name signifies, the Kali Nach is performed to honour the great
Goddess Kali. During the dance, the dancer wears a mask and is
also known to hold a sword.
- Dalkhai Dance, Orissa -
Native to the Sambalpur district of Orissa, the 'Dalkhai' dance
is performed by women while the men add flavour to the dance by
playing musical instruments
2. Folk Dances of
South India -
- Kuttiyattam Dance, Kerala
- The theme of the
Kuttiyattam dance is mythology. Kuttiyattam means acting together
and that is essence of this traditional dance form. The stage
is taken over by 2-3 performers who recite verses in Sanskrit
language.
- Kummi Dance, Tamil Nadu -
Danced by women, the Kummi dance has its roots in Tamil Nadu.
The women come together in a circle and dance while clapping their
hands.
- Dollu Kunitha Dance, Karnataka
- Also known as the "Drum
Dance", the Dollu Kunitha is a popular folk dance from Karnataka.
During the dance, men beat the drums which they carry around their
neck. The drum is highly decorated and is used to play strong
beats.
Some of the other
Tribal dances from South of India include Dandaria Dance, Karagam
Dance, etc.
Folk
Dances of West & North India
|
|
|
|
