Ghumar Dance
Some dancers receive their inspiration from religion. The gods and the
elements are invoked to shower their blessing on the labours of
a community.
Ghumar is a Rajasthani dance but it is popular in Laharu,
Dadri and some parts of the Hissar
and Bhiwani, bordering Rajasthan. The dance is performed by women devotees
on their way to the temple. Young women and girls carrying brass plates
of offerings in their hands go to the temple singing devotional
songs. The dance is performed on Diwali,
the festival of lights and Holi,
the festivals of spring or on the occasion of the local ceremony of Gangor
Puja.
Brass plates in their hands, girls make a circle and
start singing. The Musicians strike a chord and as soon as the tune
begins to take shape and gain momentum, the dancers put their offerings
aside forming a large circle and dances gracefully with uplifted arms
to the simplest beats. Slowly the dance gather momentum, the swaying bodies
become frantic, taking the dance to its climax.
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