FOLKs & DANCE

Go Ba

The State of Rajasthan, as an abode of Rajput rulers, the princes and the heroic warriors, is located in the north western part of India. It’s geographical location is between 23⁰ 3’ to 30⁰ 12’ North latitude and 69⁰ 30’ to 78⁰ 17’ East longitude with the tropic of cancer passing through the southern most tip of the state. The state is situated in the north-western part of Indian union covering the complete arid great Indian desert and parts of semi-arid climatic zone

CLASSIFICATION OF FOLK DANCES:-

(1) Regional Folk Dances: In different area of Rajasthan, some specific folk dances developed which have became identical for those areas or the particular area are known by folk dance. Such type of folk dances fall in this category. For example Gair, Geendar and Chang dances of Shekhawati, Dandiya dance Alwar-Bharatpur.

(2) Folk Dances of Castes & Tribes:

(a) - Dances of Tribes: Folk dances of Bheel, Sahariya and Grasia tribes which depict their life of struggle, artistic taste , religious & cultured life.

(b) - Dances of Nomadic Caste: Folk dances of Kanjar, Sansi, Kalbelia, Banjari and Gadiya Luhar are included in this group.

(c) - Dances of other Castes : Chari folk dance of Gujars and dances of Meena caste are the important ones.

(3) Professional Folk Dances:

Bhawani , Terah-Tali, Kachhi Ghori folk dances alongwith the folk dances of Patar, Nut, Dholi, Bhand, Khoje, Rasdhari and Khyal Mandali are included in this category which are adopted basically as professional means of livelihood.

The Ghoomar, Dandiya, Gher, Gauri, Kachi Ghori, Tera Taali and fire dance are the folk dance forms which have won all India recognition.

(a)                                                                                       Ghoomar Dance:

(b)                                                                                                            Kachi Ghori

(c)                                                                                                             Gair Dance

(d)                                                                                                            Panihari dance

(e)                                                                                                            Shekhawati’s Geendada Dance:

(f)                                                                                                              Chang Dance

(g)                                                                                                             Dandiya

(h)                                                                                                            Dhol Dance

(i)                                                                                                              Fire Dance

(j)                                                                                                              The Bum Dance

(k)                                                                                                             Tera Taali Dance

(l)                                                                                                              Chari Dance

FOLK DANCES OF NOMADIC TRIBES
(i)  Kalbeliya’s Dances : Kalbelia tribe (Sapera-Snake catcher) is very interesting and romantic tribe. The snakes are caught  by Kalbelias. They not only depend upon their cleverness but also on  their music and dance. The women perform  the dances sometimes collective and joint dances are also done. They use Pungi, Kajari, Dhuraliya, Morchange and others. The women wear the clothes having good embroidery. The most popular dances of Kalbelias are Shankariya, Panithari and Idoni.    

(a)                                                                                                 Shankaria dance

(b)                                                                                                Panihari dance

(c)                                                                                                 Idoni dance

(d)                                                                                                Sankhiyas, Dance

(e)                                                                                                Sankhiyas Dance

(f)                                                                                                  Bhanjara’s Dances

(g)                                                                                                 Bagariya’ Dance

(h)                                                                                                Bhawai Dance

(ii)               Folk Dances of Bheels

(iii)             Folk Dances of Girasias

Folk Songs

Rajasthan has its rich tradition of folk songs. There are songs for men, for women and for children, appropriate for every auspicious occasion. The hereditary castes of Bards such as Bhats, Charans, Langas, Bhopas, Dhodis, Mirasis, Dholis, have transmitted to posterity a wealth of folk lores, legend and history. The Bhats recite in ‘Dingal’ the songs of Rajasthan. The Charans eulogised their  royal patrons and their fore-fathers. The Bhopas wander from place to place and carry their unique art of song and music with them. Their songs are accompanied with a musical instrument called, ‘Ravan hatha’ (an old bow stringed instruments). They sing of the folk deities viz. Panbuji, Bhaironji, Gogajni, Mataji and Ramdeoji. M ay ballads have become popular through these songsters e.g. Dhola-Maru, Nihalde-Sultan. Besides these ballads, the folk-songs narrating the heroic deeds of Pabuji, Bhairon Ji, Tejaji etc. are very popular.

The themes of these songs are love, religion, separation from the lover, anticipatory fears of love and war.  Some of the folk songs are addressed to the birds and animals, war and religious heros. The folk songs are the basis of Rajasthani literature and culture. It is through folk songs that the people of Rajasthan express their sorrows, joys and reverence. These songs are soul stirring Another song is ‘Kurja’ in which the beloved sends her message to her lover though ‘Kurja’ a kind of migratory bird. Other popular songs are Baramasa and Gorband. There are popular legends told by these songs. One song tells the story of timid Rajput deserter. He is taunted by his sister-in-law or mother, he goes back to the battle filed and comes back victorious. There are several folk songs but the chief among them are Neemadi, Kurja, Peepali, Sapana, Papaya, Bhadawan, Mauriya, Bana-Bani, Chirmi, Sevara etc.