| Folk Dances
The folk dance tradition in Bihar has three distinct streams. One
of them is the folk dances of Videha, the present Mithila which is mainly
rooted in the songs of poets, the second stream is those of the Adivasis
which are closer to nature, social institutions and rituals. The third
stream relates to the Chhau dance of Seraikella and other regions
of south Bihar.
The folk dances of Mithila are religious, social or
sectarian. In the religious type, gods and goddesses are invoked
through dance, performed to the rhythm of folk songs and such musical
instruments as the dhol, pipahi, pakhwaf, and danka. The Ram-leela nach,
Bhagat nach, Kirtaniya nach, Kunjvawt nach, Naradi nach, Vdypat nach and
puja Arti nach are all religious folk dances of Mithila. Folk
dances for men are accompanied by songs and musical instruments and the
footwork of the dancers is in tune with the swar and
tal of the music. The dances exclusively for women are Jhijhiya nach,
Jatajutia nach, Sama Chawka nach. The only mixed group dance is Saturi
dance of Mithila. In the family dance called Bakho nach, the husband and
wife participate on the occasion of the birth of a child or a similar
joyous occasion. The different lower-caste groups have their own exclusive
dances such as Chamar natua, Kanala mai nach, Dampha-Basuli nach. There
are such popular dances as Pamariya nach, Videshia nach and Kathputli
nach.
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