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Regional Dance Forms
Folk dances of Rajasthan has
been classified according to the three natural
division of the region - hilly, desert and eastern plain including Shekhawati.
The Hilly Region
The hilly areas inhabited by Bhils and Meenas are known for community songs
and dances. Songs and dance are an integral part of their life. The dances are participated
in by both men and women without any reservation. The dances of the Bhils and
Meenas are many and are performed on festive days and during marriages.
Ghoomar
is a circular dance in which men and women dance to the rhythm of the song they
sing. The dance has no co-ordination with musical instruments. The tune is easy
and the movements of the limbs become very agile and impressive as the dance
advances.
The Ger is a community dance performed on the occasion of Holi Festival.
It is only a
men's dance conducted to the beating of a big drum with brass plates or
Thalis.
The dance becomes exciting as its tempo increases and the dancers quicken
their movements,
beating
the sticks held in their hands.
The Ger and the Ghoomar are combined in another dance performed on Holi. It
is called the Festival Ghoomar and is very spirited. Men and women come in their
best attire and join this dance in gay, abandon making a very pleasing
sight.
Many dances are performed on the occasion of
marriages. The gait of the women in all these dances, is the characteristic
feature of the Bhil dancing of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The body
is held relaxed, the torso is used as one unit, but there are some curved
movements demanding the use of upper chest and lower waist separately. While the
tempo is fast, there is little use of strong energy. There is hardly any
instrumental musical accompaniment; only the song of the women forms the
constant base of the dance.
Jhoria is a marriage dance.
The Jhoria literally means a wooden stick. The men form one circle, the women
another one and they perform a vivacious dance to the accompaniment of the dhol,
shehnai and nagara.
Among the Bhils and Meenas the
farewell to the bride after marriage is an
important occasion for dance. The members of the bridegroom's party hold
swords and dance all the way to the ringing of thalis and the madal. The women on
the bride's side reciprocate holding baskets and broomsticks in their hands.
Neja is a musical dance game of the Meenas in Kherwara and
Dungarpur. It is
usually performed on the third day after Holi. Women erect a big pillar and tie
a coconut to its top. Holding small sticks and whips, they guard it against the
men-folk who try to climb it to take away the coconut. The women dancers drive
them away by striking their sticks and beating their whips on their backs.
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