FOLK DANCES (NORTH INDIA)

(I)                 NORTH INDIA

Kalri is an occasion when the peasants in north India propitiate the Vedic God Indra and pray for then nourishment of the earth and fire and a successful harvest. Performed in raily season the dance movements follow the songs that are accompanied by the rhythmic beat of the dholuk and cymbals.

Nautanki is one of the most pouplar folk daneof Uttar Pradesh with songs recited in operative style. Acting and dance movements interpret stories connected with mythology and also modern social problems.

Ras Lila is an equally popular dance form originating in Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, which are closely connected with the life of God Krishna. Fine movements, some of them being common with those of the Kathak, are most attractive. Playing the roles of the Gopies and Radha, the expression of the dancers is full of freshness and charm.

Karan is a dance to worship the holy tree marking the happy period when the harvest is over. The dance festival commences with fasting during the day.

Jhora is a community dance and is done by both men and women. All castes joining in the celebration. Dancing to a court of four or eiht beats, they stand and  bend, sit down and then prance around in a merry alternation of movement and counter movement.

Chappell is one of the romantic dances of the Kumaon hills which is often performed at weddings and spring time. Depicting as it does the spirit of romance, dancers perform in twos, holding a mirror in one hand and a coloured handkerchief in the other had which they gracefully wave, as they advance forwards and backwards in rhythmic stepping.

The Thali dance. Done entirely by Jaunsar women, is an embodiment of grace. Holding brass trays, forming circles, moving forward and backward, the dancers move with slow steps with songs on their lips. The thali dance is a commemoration of the ancient days of chivalry when men danced before going into battle. The dance is very forceful. Full of firm stepping and an men brandish sworld, they move faster to the accompaniment of the nagaradrums and curling trumpets.

Rauf dances are performed essentially by women in Jammu during harvesting seasoin. Dancing in towo rows, about fifteen girls in each, form a sort of a chain by placing their arms across one another’s backs. Dressed in bright skirts and draperies with heavy ornaments of silver, their faces laden with smiles and animation, the dancers create a heavenly charm and delight.

Hikat is another dance of Jammu in which groups of young girls and boy express sheet joy and exhuberence. Their hands held crosswise pairs of dancers spin in ast circles. This is a feast requiring food balance, perfect timing and precise movement of the feet. Bhangra is the most popular and best known dance of Punjab, performed on all festive occasions. It is symbolic of exuberance and gaiety generally associated with the nature of people living in this part of India. Forming into a usually large circles, dancers start going round with as many new entrants as the time or occasion demands. The drummer is in the centre giving fillip to dancer’s speed and movement. As the dancer’s get into the spirit of the dance, they produce a rhythmic cry of joy.

(II)     (III)                 EAST AND NORTH EASTERN INDIA

Basant Manipuri folk dance and a type of Raslila, is Ras performed at full Moon in March – April. In depicts the storyof a misunderstanding between Radha and Krishna byut it comes to a happy ending after a good deal of persuasion by Krishna.

Baul is a dance – song from Bengal, which are mainly devotional in nature with Vaishnava characteristic.

Jadur folk dance of the Boomiyas of Orissa, is performed to propitiate Burn Bonga a deity of the tribe. This dance is also performed by the Orasn tribe of Bihar.

Jata Jatin a folkdance of Bihar, it is performed by Mithila women on Moon – lit nights during the monsoons, depicting the romance of jata and jatin.

Karama a folk dance of Bihar, it is generally performed in the rainy season. It is performed by boys and girls who array sticks on their shoulders during the dance.

Kathi a Bengali folk dance, is unique for its rhythmic footwork and for the remarkable synchronization in the beating of the sticks which the dancers hold in their hands.

Keli gopal a folk dance of Assam, depicts episodes from the life of Krishna.

Khamba Lim an assamese folk dance, is performed at the beginning of the harvest season, by two groups of dancers – male and female – who stand in two rows.

Mahras a Manipuri folk dance and a type of Raslila, is perfotrmed during the full moon night in December. It depicts the separation of divine lovers. Ktrishna and Radha. Ultimately Krishna returns to Radha.

Maya Shavari is a folk dance of Orissa in which the mightiest of the gods and goddess are treated as ordinary human beings.

Nat Puja an assumes folk dance, performed with a sword in both hands is an invocation to the supreme deithy, Sova, who assures victory to his devotes in time of war.

Natha Ras is a Manipuri folk dance and a type of Rasliala. In this dance eight  Gopies dance with Krishna.

Nruira Lim. This assamese folk dance is also known as cock – flight dance. It is performed by groups of boys and girls who stand opposite to each other and stage a mook flight.

Raslila a Manipuri folk dance, it was initially visualized by Maharaja jay singh, probably in 1700 A.D. since Raslila is based on the Vaishnav theme, it is played in different parts of the country in the folk of Semi- classical traditions in the form of dance or dance – dramas like the Raslila of Brij (U.P)

Ruk Mar Nacha This is an attractive folk dance from Orissa. The Ruk Mar Naha Dance – which means to  ‘defend and attack ‘is a highly stylized mock fight. It is generally performed in the mayurbanj district of Orissa and is believed to be the rudimentary form of the evolved chow dances of the region.

Sarbul a folk dance of the Oraons (Bihar). It is also called summer dance and is more or less a martial dance.

Thambal chonabi a Manipuri folk dance, it is a merry social dance performed during the Festival of Holi.