Rajasthan's folk dances are a vibrant expression of the state's rich cultural heritage, performed on various occasions and reflecting diverse community traditions. These dances serve as a means of entertainment, cultural transmission, and community bonding. They are broadly categorized into Regional Folk Dances and Tribal Folk Dances.
Here are detailed notes on the folk dances of Rajasthan:
I. Regional Folk Dances
Ghoomar
- Description: It is the state dance of Rajasthan and is considered the "Soul of Rajasthan". Women perform this dance by rotating on their own axis, showcasing the elasticity of their hands.
- Occasion: Primarily performed by women on the Teej festival and other auspicious occasions.
- Stages: Its eight stages are known as "Sawai".
- Musical Instruments: Dhol, Nagara, Shehnai.
Kachchhi Ghodi
- Type: A professional folk dance.
- Region: Performed by men in the Shekhawati region.
- Performance: Four men dance in two rows, creating a scene that mimics the blossoming and closing of a flower. Dancers tie a wooden mare around their waist.
- Musical Instruments: Dhol, Bankiya, Shehnai, Saas (wind instrument).
Fire Dance (Agni Nritya)
- Performers: Done by followers of the Jasnathi sect.
- Main Center: Katariyasar (Bikaner).
- Performance: Dancers perform on burning embers. They chant "Fate-Fate" and perform agricultural activities during the dance.
- Promotion: Promoted by Bikaner Maharaja Ganga Singh.
Dhol Dance
- Region: Prevalent in the Jalore region.
- Style: Performed in "Thakna Style".
- Performers: Men from Dholi, Mali, Sargada, and Bhil communities perform this dance.
- Promotion: Encouraged by Jai Narayan Vyas.
- Musical Instruments: Dhol.
Ghudhla Dance
- Region: Performed in Jodhpur.
- Occasion: Celebrated by women from Sheetlashtami to Gangaur.
- Significance: Performed in memory of King Saatal, who killed Ghudale Khan. Women dance with a pierced pot on their heads, inside which a lamp is kept.
- Promoters: Mani Shankar Ganguly, Komal Kothari, and Devilal Samar. Komal Kothari received the Padma Award twice and co-founded the Rupayan Institute in Borunda, Jodhpur (1960), with Vijay Dan Detha. Devilal Samar established the Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal in Udaipur (1952), known for puppet shows.
Terah Taali
- Performers: Primarily by women of the Kamadiya sect during the fair of Ramdev Ji.
- Performance: Dancers sit and tie nine manjiras on their right leg, two on their elbows, and two in their hands. Women also perform stunts while dancing.
- Musical Instruments: Tanpura, Chautara.
- Main Center: Padarla, Pali.
- Main Performer: Maangi Bai.
Chari Dance
- Performers: Gurjar women in the Kishangarh region.
- Performance: Women dance by placing a chari (pot) on their head, in which burning cotton seeds are kept.
- Main Performer: Falku Bai.
Bhavai Dance
- Region: Performed by the Bhavai community in the Udaipur division.
- Features: Emphasizes stunts over music. Dancers may perform on swords, burning embers, or by balancing 7-8 pots on their heads.
- Main Performer: Rup Singh, Dayaram, Tarasharma.
Gindad Dance
- Performers: Men on the occasion of Holi.
- Region: Shekhawati region.
- Performance: Men dance in circles, holding wooden sticks. A man dressed in women's clothing during the dance is called a "Gangaur".
- Main Musical Instrument: Nagada.
Bam Dance
- Performers: Men in the Bharatpur region.
- Musical Instrument: Nagada, which is also called "Bam".
- Associated Song: Rasiya, making the dance also known as "Bam Rasiya".
Chung Dance
- Region: Shekhawati Region.
- Occasion: Holi.
Bindori Dance
- Region: Jhalawar Region.
- Occasion: Holi.
Daang Dance
- Region: Nathdwara region.
- Occasion: Holi.
II. Tribal Folk Dances
A. Bhil Tribe Dances
- Gair Dance:
- Occasion: Performed during Holi.
- Region: Mewar-Marwar.
- Performers: Men from all communities participate. They hold wooden sticks in their hands while dancing in a circle.
- Dress: Men wear an "Ogi" garment.
- Main Center: Kanana (Balotra).
- Musical Instruments: Dhol, Bankiya, Shehnai.
- Gavri Dance:
- Occasion: Starts from the day after Raksha Bandhan and continues for 40 days.
- Region: Mewar.
- Performers: Bhil men.
- Significance: It is the oldest folk drama of Rajasthan, also called "Meru Lok Natya". It is based on the story of Bhasmasur and is dedicated to Shiva-Parvati.
- Musical Instruments: Maandal, Thali, Ghanta.
- Yudh Dance (War Dance): Performed by men, holding weapons in their hands.
- Dwichakri Dance: Performed by both men and women, forming a circle.
- Hathimna Dance: Performed by men during a wedding.
- Ghumra Dance: Performed by Bhil women in the Banswara region.
- Neja Dance:
- Performers: Both Bhil and Meena tribes participate.
- Performance: A mock war dance where men attempt to snatch a coconut tied to a wooden pole while women protect it.
B. Garasiya Tribe Dances
- Walar Dance:
- Performers: Men and women during weddings.
- Features: Performed without any musical instruments. Men hold swords and umbrellas in their hands.
- Mandal Dance: Performed by women with musical instruments.
- Lur Dance:
- Performers: Garasiya women of the Lur gotra.
- Performance: Women form two sides, and the groom's side demands a girl from the bride's side.
- Kuud Dance: Performed to the beat of applause, without any instruments.
- Jawara Dance: Performed by Garasiya women during Holi, holding sorghum in their hands.
- Moriya Dance: Performed by Garasiya men during weddings.
- Gaur Dance: Performed on the occasion of Gangaur.
C. Kalbeliya Tribe Dances
- Chakri Dance:
- Performers: Women dance briskly in a circular motion. Women wear a dress called "Khushni".
- Main Performer: Gulabo.
- Shankariya Dance: A couple dance based on a love story.
- Bagadiya Dance: Performed by Kalbeliya women while begging.
- Musical Instruments: Pungi, Khanjari.
- Cultural Significance: Kalbeliya dance is included in UNESCO's Heritage List. A training school has been opened in Hathi Gaon to teach this dance.
- Indoni Dance: A couple dance based on a folk song called "Indoni".
- Panihari Dance: A couple dance based on the Panihari folk song.
D. Kanjar Tribe Dances
- Chakari Dance: Performed by women.
- Dhakad Dance: Performed by men.
E. Kathodi Tribe Dances
- Mavliya Dance: Performed by men on the occasion of Navratri.
- Holi Dance: Performed by women during Holi, forming a pyramid. Women dance wearing a "Fadka" sari.
F. Mewat Tribe Dances
- Ratbai Dance: Performed by women.
- Rapat Dance: Performed by men.
III. Other Noteworthy Dances
- Languriya Dance: Popular in the Karauli region, performed by devotees in praise of Kaila Devi.
- Gavri Dance (Gavari): A 40-day ecstatic dance drama.
Significance of Fairs and Festivals (and by extension, Folk Dances) Fairs and festivals play a crucial role in Rajasthan's culture. They promote social harmony and transfer cultural values across generations. They also generate economic benefits through tourism and the promotion of handicrafts, serving as market centers for goods and animals. These events are also important for sports competitions, entertainment, and providing platforms for tribal communities to showcase their culture, gaining international recognition. Folk songs and dances, in particular, highlight the personification of nature and deep connections to animals and birds, reflecting social beliefs and cultural transmission. They also provided a means of employment for various tribes and played a role in public awakening during the freedom struggle.