Arts

The Desert Region

The fire-dance of the Siddha Jats of Bikaner is remarkable for its sensational and awe-inspiring impact. Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner was a great patron of the fire dancers who inhabit Katriasar, Bhamlu, Dikamdesar and other villages. The fire dancers make a born-fire to the beating of drums, the playing of the bher and the singing of a song. Inspired by tumultuous music, the dancers, including old men and even children jump on to the fire and dance over it. As the dance, gathers tempo, they lift burning coals and throw them on others but do jot cause any injury. The dance lasts half an hour, it does not leave burns on the dancers.

The drum dancers of Jalore are professionals. It is performed during marriages, this male dance is a synthesis of various folk dances. Four or five drums are beaten simultaneously and one of the dancers holds a sword between his teeth, another carries sticks in his hands, a third swings handkerchiefs from his arms and the remaining simply make movements to the rhythm of the dance.

 The Teratali is a peculiar dance-form of the desert and Deedwana and Pokaran are its centres. Those who practices this dance-form are known as Kamads and the party usually consists of two men and two women. The men play the ektara and sing, while the women produce musical notes from the manjiras tied to various parts of their bodies. The postures and the twists of the body necessary to extract musical rings from the manjira are very difficult to perform. 

The Kachhi Ghori dance of marwar performed to the beat of the dhol and turhi by four or five dancers during marriage, presents a scene of warriors riding horses.

The dancers of the Kan-Gujari are mendicants who describe themselves as incarnations of Radha-Krishna. They beg from door to door, singing to the tunes of the Ravanhattya and dancing with highly artistic movements. 

The Bhopas are a minstrel community divided into five sects. They also dance and Bhopas of Gogaji, Mataji and Bhaironji go into such ecstasy while dancing that they sometimes become unconscious.