Journalism of Courage
International Dance Day was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Council, a UNESCO partner NGO, and is celebrated annually on April 29. The idea was to attract the attention of the wider public to the art of dance. In India, where there are eight classical dance forms and over 100 folk dances, International Dance Day is marked by organisations and artistes alike in the form of dance performances, talks and seminars. Here's a glimpse of the various dance forms that are practised around the country.
Bharatanatyam: The classical dance form of Bharatanatyam originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu and has been described by Bharata Muni in Natya Shastra. Though more commonly performed by women, Lord Shiva in his Nataraja form is considered the God of this dance. It is considered to be a fire dance and is the celebration of the universe. (Source: Express archive)
Kathakali: Kathakali is a classical Indian dance-drama — usually dramatising the epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Purans — that originated in Kerala. The story is enacted purely through hands — using mudras — and facial expressions and bodily movements. The training is intensive and takes up to a decade to master. Kathakali is considered to be a sky/ether dance. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Kuchipudi: The classical dance of Kuchipudi originated in Andhra Pradesh. It is accompanied by Carnatic music and shares many common elements with Bharatanatyam. Kuchipudi is an earth dance. (Source: Express archive)
Sattriya: Sattriya is the most recent entrant in the list of Indian classical dances — recognised as one by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000. It was originally performed by celibate monks in Assam, but is now performed by female monks as well. It was an artistic way to present mythological stories to the people in an accessible and enjoyable manner. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Mohiniyattam: The classical dance form of Mohiniyattam — from Kerala — is a graceful dance meant to be performed as solo recitals by women. 'Mohini' means an enchanting woman and 'attam' means graceful and sensuous body movements. The mythological origins of this dance form are traced back to Lord Vishnu who toook on an avatar of apsara Mohini to distract asuras during the churning of the celestial ocean. Mohiniyattam is an air dance. (Source: Ramesh Lalwani/Flickr)
Manipuri: The classical dance of Manipuri originated in Manipur and has its own distinct aesthetics and conventions. The cult of Radha and Krishna are the central themes and it is a purely religious and spiritual practice. Footwork and expressions in Manipuri are subtle — unlike its Southern counterparts like Bharatanatyam. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Folk dances of Assam: Bihu (in pic) is the most popular folk dance of Assam and brings all tribes togther. It is performed by both men and women, though they maintain strict distinct gender roles in the dance. The Bagurumba is a folk dance performed by the Bodos and is inspired by their natural surroundings. Therefore it contains dance of plants, dance of animals, birds, butterfly dance, wave of flowing river, wind etc. Bhortal Nritya has been derived from the classical dance form of Sattriya and is performed in groups to very fast beats. Jhumur is the tradiotional dance form of the Adivasis (the tea tribes of Assam), performed by young boys and girls. Girls do the main dancing part in a synchronous manner, while the boys provide music and rhythm. Themes of Jhumur mostly depict the pains and pleasures of day-to-day life. (Source: Assamtouristspots.com)
Folk dances of Bihar: Folk dances of Bihar can be divided into three streams: those performed to songs of poets, those performed by Adivasis and rooted in nature and those related to Southern Bihar. Bidesia dance is a popular dance drama performed in the Bhojpuri-speaking belt of Bihar. The topics dealt with are mainly contradictory in nature — like traditiona and modernity, urban-rural divide, rich and poor etc. Female parts are performed by male actor-dancers. The Jat-Jatin dance is performed as a duet and deals with socially and emotionally charged topics. Jhijhian is a ritualistic women-only dance performed to appease rain God Indra and praying for a productive harvest season. Paika is a warrior dance performed with a shield and sword. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Folk dances of Gujarat: Dandiya Raas — performed with sticks and in concentric circles moving in opposite directions — is popular not just in Gujarat, but all over the country. It has been popularised by Bollywood and performed with gusto during Navratri. Garba (in pic) is peformed mainly by women as a mark of respect to Goddess Ambaji. Women dance while clapping and circling around the idol of the Goddess. Bhavai is a dance of emotions, performed all night long on an open ground in front of an audience. The dancers dance while balancing earthen pots on their heads. Tippani folk dance is popular in the Saurashtra and coastal regions of Gujarat and performed as a means to unwind after a hard day's labour. (Source: Gujarat postpickle.com)
Folk dances of Haryana: Most folk dances of Haryana surround the theme of harvest. Phag dance is performed in the month of Phalgun. Saang is a popular folk dance performed on the themes religious and folk tales by an even number of people for five hours. Chhathi is performed by women six days after the birth of a male child, followed by a feast of boiled wheat and chanaa for all. Dhamal — performed only by men — is a dance form popular in the Gurgaon region, performed when the crop is harvest-ready. Ghoomar (in pic) is a popular dance — from the Western regions of Haryana — in which women swirl and clap faster and faster as the tempo of the music increases. The songs are usually satirical and humorous in nature, surrounding contemporary matters. (Source: Haryana.libmp3.net)
Folk dances of Himachal Pradesh: Folk dances of Himachal Pradesh depict the population's closeness to nature. Mala dance is performed by people weaving their hands together in an intricate pattern resembling a garland. Chhambha — similar to Bhangra — is performed by wearing elaborate masks and replicates tales of demons being chased away by good forces after destroying crops. Cholamba — performed in the Ropa valley when a tiger is killed — is characterised by formations in which the group of dancers looks like a coiled serpent. In the Nuala dance form, a garland is placed around Lord Shiva and the dance takes place around the idol. Jhoori has questions and answers danced to a rhythym, with each sentence ending with a cry of Hoo Hoo. In Dhadhair, dancers dance with weapons and charge towards imaginary adversaries. Kaydayat is characterised by marvellous sword play which becomes more vigorous with the rise of the tempo. (Express Photo by Sahil Walia)
Folk dances of Jammu and Kashmir: Kud is perfomed in honour of God Devtas as a thanksgiving ritual for protecting the cattle, crops, children and families from natural calamities. It is performed by young and old alike. The dancers usually number in 20s to 30s and dance till late in the night. In Dumhal, dancers— attired in colourful robes and studded conical caps — dig a banner in the ground and dance around it. Rouf — practised during Eid and Ramzan — is performed by a row of women facing each other and dancing away to intricate footwork. Bhand Pather is a form of dance drama, while Bachha Nagma is performed only by boys. Hafiza is a wedding dance performed to a hundred-stringed musical instrument called Santoor. Wuegi Nachun is performed by Kashmiri Pandit women around the bridal rangoli after the departure of the bride. (Express photo by Lalit Kumar)
Folk dances of Karnataka: Yakshagana is a folk theatre form that combines dance music, dialogue, costume and music and is traditionally presented from dusk to dawn. Dollu Kunitha is a folk dance performed by the men of the shepherd community (Kuruba). It is characterised by fast dance movements matched to vigorous drum beats and synchronised group formations, the main theme being the divine couple of Shiva and Parvati. There are other kunitha dances — like Devare Thatte Kunitha, Yellammana Kunitha, Suggi Kunitha — differentiated by deity worshipped and symbols and instruments used. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Folk dances of Kerala: In Kaavadiyattom dancers dressed in yellow or rose coloured costumes dance as an offering in temples of Lords Subrahmaniam. Vela Kali (in pic) is the warrior dance of the Nair community and displays their warfare skills gloriously. Kummi is a harvest dance performed only by women in a circular fashion, while Desathukali is a fast moving, militant dance danced to rhythmic devotional folk songs in honour of the Goddess Bhagavathy. Kummatti — performed by wearing wooden masks — is popular in the South Malabar region. (Source: Keralatourism)
Folk dances of Madhya Pradesh: Gaur — one of the most popular folk dances of Madhya Pradesh — means the dance of ferocious bisons, who is the hunting spirit of the tribals. Whisps of grass are hurled in the air and bison's movements are imitated — like tossing of horns and charging stance. The Karma dance (in pic) — among the oldest of the Adivasi dances — is a fertility dance performed during the Karma festival in the month of August. Chaitra festival dance is a harvest danc in which dancers sport peacock plumes in the headgear and wear colourful costumes. Sugga dance — popular among the women of the Mikal hills — is modelled after the parrot, with movements that imitate the flight of a parrot and others like bending and jerking heads in a bird-like fashion. Matki dance — in the Malwa plateau region — is performed by women by balancing earthen pots on their heads and veils over their faces. (Source: Youtube)
Folk dances of Maharashtra: Lavani (in pic) is a traditional Maharashtrian dance performed by women clad in a nine-yard-length sari to the beats of a dholak. It has been used for social commentary, entertainment and for boosting morale of the soldiers. Dhangari Gaja is performed by the shepherds of Sholapur district to appease their God. They wear Dhoti, Pheta, Angarakha and bright handkerchiefs. Povadas are performed to ballads describing the life of the warrior Shivaji. The movements of Koli — performed by the fishermen of Maharashtra — resemble their occupation, such as the rowing of a boat. (Source:Express photo by Pradeep Kocharekar)
Folk dances of Punjab: Bhangra (in pic) is a dance form popular in the whole country. It is traditionally performed by Punjabi men during Baisakhi with exclamations of 'hoay' and 'balle'. Jhumar is a dance of ecstasy, performed by men. Luddi is a dance of victory performed by men. Dhankara is a celebratory wedding dance. Teeyan — performed during the Teeyan dance festival — is celebrated by women who visit their maiden homes for the festival. (Source: Punjab.aajmag.ca)
Folk dances of Rajasthan: Gowari — popular amongst the Bhil tribe — is a dance drama in which dancers travel from village to village for a month. The theme is usually in dedication of a deity. Ghoomar is performed by women dancing while carryng lit earthen lamps in a circular formation. Chari — performed by villagers — celebrates the discovery of water in the desert state. It is performed by women balancing brass pots on their heads. Kalbeliya (in pic) is performed by the snake charmer-community of Rajasthan. In Bhawai, women dance while simultaneously balancing 8-9 pitchers on their heads. (Source: Shruti Chakraborty)
Folk dances of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Dhamal is a ceremonial mimetic martial dance from the Hyderabad region. It is performed using swords and shields. Mathuri (in pic) is performed to devotional songs by the men and women of Mathuri tribe of Adilabad district. Dandaria is a stick dance performed by the men of the Gond community. Bathukamma is performed by women in Telangana during the Bathukamma festival. Bonalu is performed by women of Telangana by balancing pots on their heads. (Source: Andhrafolkarts.org)
Folk dances of Tamil Nadu: Kuravaanji is a distinct dance drama form performed for the presiding deity Lord Vighneshwara (Ganpati). Karagattam (in pic) — in praise of rain Goddess Mari Amman and river Goddess Gangai Amman — is performed by balancing a pot on the head. Kummi — an important dance for the village womenfolk — is performed without any musical assistance, making use of only clapping. Nondi Naatakam revolves around themes of devotion and forgiveness as experienced by a one-legged thief. Mayil Attam is performed by young girls dressed as peacocks. (Source: Pee vee/Flickr)
Folk dances of Uttar Pradesh: Charkula (in pic) is a dance drama — performed in the Braj region — that depicts the birth of Radha. Kajri is performed by women just before the arrival of monsoon to express joy and happiness. Ahir is performed by the Ahir community to celebrate births and marriages. (Source: Youtube)
Folk dances of Goa: Dekhni (in pic) — which means bewitching beauty — is a blend of traditional and Western forms and portrays the lives of Devadasis. It is performed by young Christian girls to the beats of a folk drum called Ghumat. Dashavatara — relating to the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu — depicts the theft of the Vedas. Dhalo — performed by women in the rural hinterlands of Goa — is performed on the moonlit of the Paushya month. The themes are usually religious or social. Fugdi is performed by rural women on religious occasions. (Source: Youtube)
Folk dances of West Bengal: Brita is an invocation dance performed by women who are unable to give birth. It is performed after giving birth as a means of gratitude. Purulia Chhau (in pic) is a masked martial dance based on the episodes of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Gambhira is a popular solo devotional dance, while Tusu is a celebratory harvest dance. Lathi is a stick dance performed by young boys during the first ten days of Muharram. Santhal and Rava are other folk dances of West Bengal. (Express Photo by Ritika Jain)
