FOLK DANCES

FOLK DANCES

Whereas classical dances tend to be subject to a definite order and a complicated system of gesture language, foot worked body movements, folk dance is generally muh more spontaneous. Its primary impulse in rhythm; its roots lie in religious and seasonal festivals, and hence it is often guided by songs glorifying nature, expressing traditional occupations and offering devotion to deities. The vast majority of folk dances are performed by groups of people, usually consisting of either men or women, Certain basic dance pattern exist, These have been described in medieval Sanskrit literature and consist of the Pindi (group), the thrinkhala (chain), lata (creeper) and bhedyaka (the separate movement of each daner away from the group). Even more basic is the ransack Talai – Rasa, with rhythmic clapping of hands, and the Danda-rasa, in which each dancer marks the rhythm with a pair of sticks,. Through these dances unsupported by the written word, and established by its tremendous sociological impact, customs and tradition have been established and people’s aesthetics enriched. With national consciousness for the arts growing from day – to – day, many of these beautiful expressive dances are coming to urban audiences and are being received with the enthusiasm and success they deserve. The number of folk dances in India being legion. Only a selective representation is being discussed below:

(I)                 South India

Kolattam is a dance by young girls with little lacquered sticks held in hands to celebrate the birthday of Rama. Originating from Tamil Nadu, this dance form is popular throughout India. Another variety of this dance form is popular throughout India. Another verity of this dance is known as penal kilkattam accompanied with song or chorus that speak of the trapping of the sticks in rhythm, of the twinning fate strammers, of happy youth and that of happy dance.

Vasanta Attam is a dance of spring, when the trees are in blossom and the air is crisp with the perfume of flowers, the peasants dance to celebrate the birth of nature palms coloured with turmeric and bodies dressed in orange saris with vivid contrasting borders, girls and young women foregather before the village deity and crown her with garlands. Little boys and girls bring mango buds and sign in chorus ot the accompanishment of cymbals, hand claps and the chalk. They sing and dance extolling mother goddess, the Earth.

Kumm8i dance usually takes place in Tamil Nadu during the Hindu New year of the south which falls in January just after the pongal festival. Groups of young girls dance with varying steps and clapping hands using their little minding steps in circles upon circles, kummi takes several forms in Tamil Nadu. There is also a flower Dane to a song that extols the beauty of many blossoms.

DUMMY HORSE DANCE

One of the most picturesque and interesting performance is the Dummy horse dance play done in rural south India near the temple towards autumn. Heavily attired in colorful costumes, dancers stand in a frame of a horse made of paper, cloth and light wood, brilliantly pained and draped. The dance lasts for hours together on wooden legs to the rhythm of music and drugs. These dance plays depict mythological stories.

Ootam tullal is a type of pantomime akin to Kathakali. It is usually performed by a single artiste accompanied by a singer, a drummer and a cymbal player. The panformime interprets some of the choicest and select experts of Malayalam literature in an amazingly enchanting manner. Kaikottikkali is performed by young women and girls inferable. The hour’s songs based on Mythological stores build the crescendo of the dance in circles with slow and measured speed.

Tappatikali is performed by young women and girls inferable during the festival of lord Shiva. One of the elder women in the group commences the song and leads the dancers the others repeating what she sings and following her movements. Circling round and round and clapping their hands to the rhythm of their steps and the music, the dance mirrors the rural simplicity and the vivaciousness.     

Dollu kunitha among the performing folk arts of Karnataka dollyu jkunitha (drum dance) is outstandingly attractive and dynamic it is a masculine dance because it is confined tomales with good physique and at the same time keep the best on the hollow drum tied to his waist.

The dollu Kunitha came down to Karnataka as a tradition of eereswara worshipped by the shepherded class of Karnataka. It in inevitable religious and cultural ritual and is performed moistly by kurubas, the devotees of beere devaru.

Generally, the performing troupes consists of 15 to 20 persons. They stand in a circle and move as they start beating their drums. They group into different formations and display their artistry.

Vyomalata leather puppet show: leather puppet show is popularly known as shadown play. This artist very popular is South India. The performers belong to a caste of Kilekvatas who speak a Marathi dialect. They took the local Folk Dramas for their performances with their puppets. The puppets. The lather puppets are made out of goal or dear skin. The themes are drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Shivapurana.

Veerabhadreswara Nruthya: the dance form depicts the story of veerbhadra, the legendary minor god created by Lord Siva to teach a lesson to his father – in – low Daksha.

The costume here is traditional and colourful to depict the folk tradition. The troupe consists of 15 artistes of whom eight are musicians. Veerabhadra is the central character and the others provide the ensemble effect.

Pooja Kunitha: this is a dance of worship to propitiate goddess Shakti. A frame made out of bamboo is covered with beautiful sarees. The artiste who dances carrying the frame on his hand calls for special skill in the centre of the frame the ‘face’ of the goddess made out of copper or some other metal can be seen. On festive days or special occasions, the artistes dance to fulfil their pledes. This dance is usually performed in front tof the temple of goddess Shakti.

It is very popular in Madhya, Bangalore and Kolar districts.

Karaga is a religious folk dance prevalent in Kolar, Bangalore, Tumkur and Mysore districts. The person who performs Karaga wears a beautiful decorated brass pot anddances with fullof maneuvers.

Kumbha on the head of the dancer is a significant factor for karaga. The Vannikula, a sect of Kshatriva community, performs Karaga dance.

Karadi Majalu is a percussion ensemble of Karnataka, traditionally performed in the northern parts during social and religious functions and festivals to propitiate deities. They instruments used here include karadi gadya (drum) in accomplishment with Sanadi, Sati, dimmu and Chaugada.

Costumes Generally comprise of Kase Panche, Kase Shirt, colourful turbans and similar coloured waist bands. The artistes dance to the orchestral support standing in a semi – circle with rhythmic movements.

Gorava Dance of Karnataka is a religious dance performed by the devotees of Lord Mylaralinga. My lara is a Shivite Centre situated in North Karnataka. The goravas sing songs on their god and dance to the tune of Damaruga and Flute.

Mudalapaya Yakshagana is a dance prevalent in North and South Karnataka. The lead singer in this tyradition is called Bhagavatha. He is the Guru who teaches dance and dialogue to the amateur village artistes.

The songs which form part of the play are using by him and the actors dance to the verses, drums and cymbals. Mudalapaya is known for its fine music vigorous dance and gorgeous costumes.

Veeragase is the symbolic presentation of  heroisms and colour of veerabhadra during Daksha yajnya of Mythological lore. This is a popular folk form of Halnad in Karnataka. The exponents called “LIngada veeraru” perform form of Halnad in Karnataka. The exponents called “ligada veeratru” perform with all religious fervor on festive day, especially during sharavana and Kartika.

Sporting an unsheathed sword in the right and a wooden prague of Veerabhadra on the left hand, the performers display martial dance to the accompaniment of Karadi and Chammal drums

Halakki suggi Kunitha: This dance is performed by Halakki vokkaligas have many folk arts of their own. Their harvest dance is well – known. They have beautiful head gear which is very colourful. They dance to the tune of a drum called gummate.