Jhumar dance
This dance takes in the name from Jhumar, an ornament commonly worn on
the fore head by young married girls. It is performed exclusively by women.
They form a circle and move gracefully, accompanied by the beats
of dholak and Thali. There are many variations each with its own distinctive
rhythm. The dancers loose themselves in gay abandon, dressed in colourful
costumes. The performance lasts several hours. A girl comes forwards and
breaks in to song. When girl sing the song, another girl then steps forward,
swaying rhythmically with perfect poise. The second line of the
song is shared by both. The tempo increases as the dance proceeds.
The other girl do not leave their places but keep on singing the
song and clapping their hands against each other. There is a short pause
before a new line of the song is started.
This dance resembles the well-known Punjabi Gidda
and is thus named Haryanic Gidda. It is common in all parts of the
state.
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