Dhamal dance is as old as the Mahabharatha. It is popular among the Ahirs
of Gurgaon district. It is also in vogue in Mahendargarh and Jhajjar.
The dance is rooted in the deeper emotions of the people, is performed
on moonlit nights of Phalgun. When the winter veil of fog and mist
is lifted from the face of the earth and whisper of spring is in the air
indeed. The dancers assemble in an open space and form themselves into
a circle. They start with a song to the sound of Dhamal beats. The songs
sung during the dance relate to the burden of love and labour. They depict
the villager's hopes, aspirations, their love -longings and joys and sorrows.
Between fifteen and twenty dancers participate in the dance. Old
musical instruments like Sarangi, Been, Dholak and Khartals constitute
the orchestra. First of all the orchestra men make a line and start
playing folk tunes. The dancers move in front of them emerging right
and left when the dance starts.
