The dances, found in limitless variations in Rajasthan,
punctuate its barrenness, turning the land into a fertile basin
of color and creativity and are an expression of human emotion
as much as the folk music.
Bhavai
One of the state's most spectacular performances, it consists
of veiled women dancers balancing up to seven or nine brass
pitchers as they dance nimbly, pirouetting and then swaying
with the soles of their feet perched on the top of a glass
or on the edge of the sword. There is sense of cutting edge
suspense and nail biting acts in the dance.
Ghoomar
A community dance of the Rajputs, performed by the women of
the house and traditionally out of bounds for the men, it
uses simply, swaying movements to convey the spirit of any
auspicious occasion. There is an amazing grace as the skirts
flair slowly while the women twirl in circles. All women,
young or old, participate in Ghoomar dance. As one of the
traditional rituals, a bride is expected to dance Ghoomar
on being welcomed to her husband's home.
Kachhi Ghodi
Originated from the bandit regions of Shekhawati, the dance
is performed for the entertainment of the bridegroom's party.
Dancers while elaborate costumes that resemble them riding
on dummy horse. A vigorous dance, it uses mock fights and
the brandishing of swords, nimble sidestepping and pirouetting
to the music of fifes and drums. A ballad singer usually
sings the exploits of the bandit Robin Hoods of Rajasthan.
Gathering water is part of everyday life of women of Rajasthan.
The women go many miles to collect water for their families
and their joy is reflected through the Chari Dance. Dancers
choreograph deft patterns with their hands while balancing
brass pots on their heads. The performance is made more picturesque
with the flames from cottonseeds set alight, so that the bobbing
heads create streaks of illuminating patterns as they move
effortlessly around the floor.
Kalbeliya
One of the sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan, performed by
the Kalbeliyas, the snake charmers community. The sapera dancers
wear long, black skirt embroidered with sliver ribbons. As
they spin in a circle, their body sways acrobatically, so
that it is impossible to believe that they are made of anything
other than rubber. As the beat increases in tempo, the pace
increases in such a pitch that it leaves viewer as exhausted
as the dancer.
Gair
There are several variations to this picturesque dance form
that is performed by both men and women. The men wear long,
pleated tunic that open out into full length skirts as they
move first in clockwise then anti clockwise directions, beating
their sticks to create the rhythm when they turn. Originally
a Bhil dance and performed at the time of Holi, its variations
are the Dandi Gair in the Marwar region and Geendad in the
Sehkhawati region.
Kathputli
A tradition of puppeteering has long existed in Rajasthan.
A travelling form of entertainment, it uses the ballads, retold
in the voice of the puppeteer who is assisted by his family
in erecting a make shift stage. Puppets are strung on the
stage and recount historic anecdotes, replay tale of love
and include much screeching and high pitched sounds as the
puppets twirl and move frenetically.
Terahtaali
A devotional form of dance practiced be the Kamad community,
to honor their folk hero Baba Ramdev, it consists of women
sitting on the floor before his image. Tied to various parts
of their body are thirteen cymbals, which they strike with
the ones they hold in their hand. Their hands perform various
arabesques while they do this and for effect, they may also
balance pots on their hands and hold a sword in their mouth.
