Jharkhand Karma Munda Dance

In the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, Karma is considered as an important folk dance form. This dance art is enjoyed more and best in Jharkhand region as compared to others. Moreover at the time of Karma festival both men and women celebrate it with great pomp and show. They even perform various dances but Karma is one such significant form of dance which is enjoyed widely by the people of Jharkhand.

History

Karma dance form was originated from the Indian region of Jharkhand which is situated in Bihar state. This region has well versed people who are very creative even. Also these people love to celebrate various festivals and events with great glory. Therefore at the time of Karma festival which usually occurs in August month, the people of Jharkhand start preparations of it earlier and enjoy it with dancing. Furthermore this popular folk dance is done by both men and women in honor of Karma festival. Also this dance name is derived from a tree which is named as Karma. This tree is considered as a sacred tree because the residents living in Jharkhand regard it as a sign of prosperity and good luck.

Description

Karma is a folk dance basically done at the time of Karma festival. Both females and males actively take part in Karma dance at the time of Karma festival which occurs in month of August. Additionally this dance art is performed in honor and celebration of plantation of new trees. It is believed in Jharkhand that Karma which is a sacred tree brings prosperity and good fortune. Therefore in the month of August the people of Jharkhand celebrate this with a festival and dance. In this dance the dancers form a circle around their new plantation of tress and then perform it by encircling their hands on each other’s waist. In addition in this dance they even pass branch of tree to each other. This dance needs lot of practice and is only performed by the professional performers. In addition when the karma branch gets completed with the circle then it is washed with the help of rice and milk. Further it is believed by the local tribes that when this procession is done that the branch of karma should not touch the earth and then once again it is raised between the dancers for further performance.

Namgen  Dance                

Himachal Pradesh is a hilly state inhabited by groups of people whose identities are not parallel to that of the mainstream population. The state is juxtaposed beautifully against the Himalayan Mountains. The hills are home to tribes that are unique with respect to cultural habits and tradition. The tribes have their own folk dances.

Namgen Dance is one such form of dance popular among a section of people in the state. It is a celebration of togetherness among the gypsy tribes of the region. This dance is widespread in the western parts of the state such as Kangra and Mandi. The dance is performed at community get together and festivals such as ‘Sair’ in the month of September.

Theme of Namgen Dance

The Namgen dance form is a stark contrast to many of the other folk dances of India. The basic difference is that this dance form is not related to agriculture. It is centered on the autumn season. The moods and theme of the dance carries an autumnal tone and the onset of the winter season.

The theme of the dance hovers around the nomadic nature of the tribes. The gypsy tribes rely on their animals and guide them high into the mountains for fodder. The dance marks a reunion of the people after a long spell of isolation in the hills while tending the animals.

Costumes

The costume of the Namgen dance is a stand out feature. The dresses worn while dancing are bright and colorful. The tribes among which this dance form is popular are mainly nomadic pastoralists. The costumes associated with this dance reflect this fact as they are crafted out of wool of the animals they tend. Women are known to wear ‘launchiri’ which resembles the form of a long skirt. The fabric is often hand crafted. Men, on the other hand are known to wear ‘chola’ or a ‘dora’. While dancing, the dress is accompanied by head gear such as a turban.

The highlight of this dance is the use of jewelry. Extensive jewelry adorns the dancers of both the sexes as they motion their bodies through the rhythm music. Women wear luxurious ornaments and tinkers on their foreheads, ear and neck. Even the men occasionally wear earrings. The ornaments are mostly made of silver commonly studded with precious stones and pieces of glass.

Characteristics

Perhaps the most easily recognized characteristic of the Namgen dance is the colorful costume and heavy jewelry associated with it. The music to the dance bears a rustic and laid back character. It reflects the easy going nature of the tribes that practice it.

This dance form is practiced mainly by the Gaddi tribe of Himachal Pradesh.

Format

Namgen is danced by both men and women in groups of few members. The groups huddle close together in chain formations. Men and women both perform this dance, often in the same group. The dance is intended to bring the tribal community closer.

The music to which this dance is performed is simple, bearing a rustic character. It lacks the loud and boisterous vibe. Instead, a soothing theme is reflected in the songs. The instruments are simple. The drum used to provide the beats for the dance is carved from tress and leather is used for covering the mouth.

The music is played in a separate group and vocal syllables harmonize the sound the instruments. In the season when it is performed, the valleys reverberate with a melodious combination of metal, voice and drumbeats in the vicinity.

The dance is traditionally performed in community events and not much elsewhere. However, in contemporary period, the dance has managed to trickle onto the stage and the television screen

Kinnauri Nati

Originating in the region of Himachal, Kinnaur Nati is the traditional folk dance which is often performed on the New Year. With an environmental background, The Kinauri nati adds a regal feel to the festivity. Representing the joy of a good harvest, this dance has sneaked its way into the very cultural essence of this state and is now an integral part of its folk dance culture.

Theme of Kinnauri Nati

The intrinsic premise of Kinnaur performance is to a great extent comparable to the Bhangra Dance of Punjab. Although lacking pace, the sequences make the dance worth its majesty. Depicting all the activities of sowing the crop till its reaping, the dancers repeat the graceful actions of their bodies and symbolize the loveliness of the state. Moreover, the song offers a presentation of the mildness of the mountainous zephyr, gradually curving river and the musical swaying of trees.

Costumes

Earlier restricted to the males in the community, the dance is also now available for the women to join who contribute to the existing grace of the dance. Men usually are dressed in churidars with pyjamas and also don ornamented caps. Occasionally, the dress includes the Chola or the top coat. Whereas the Women dancers wear an outfit that includes the Ghaghra or the skirt, the Gachi, the Lachhi, the floral shawl and the Boomani with silver chains, tight churidar pyjamas. Tunki and Chanki are the heavy ornaments that are worn by the dancing women around their necks. While the dancers perform, each one of them hold an elaborate fan in one hand and a colorful hankie in another and keep clapping during the dance. With vibrant dresses worn by the men, the dance looks glorious on stage while the glamour factor is highlighted with the heavily ornamented women.

Characteristics

The music is designed in a way that it resembles the flowing breeze of the hills. The Kinnauri Natia finds its bases in the beat and rhythm of a region which is diverse from region to region. Depending on the pace, there are a total of thirteen variations in Kinnauri Natia. Needing skillful musicians, each performance demands around 8 to 9 musician of the accompanying instruments which vary from the Drums, the Shehnai, the Cymbals and the Ranasinga. Its expression of happiness makes it a very popular dance form in the Himachal.

Format

Extremely famous dances amongst the locals of Himachal Pradesh, The Kinnauri Nati Dancers bond their hands and create movement in accordance to the melody and beat. The variation in them gives birth to thirteen styles. Traditionally, this dance was performed by the men who wore elaborate clothes, caps etc. But today, women have also made their foray in the field of dance which can be performed today without any barrier of cast, gender or even age making it a truly popular dance form. Basically belonging to the Lasya variety, this dance performed for3 to 4 days equally in mourning and in nights and is believed to be a dance of slow-movement.

Haryana Loor Dance

Haryana is a small state located in the north of India. It is known for its rich culture and traditions. People of this place are hard working and agriculture is one of the most important ways of earning livelihood. People express their joys and sorrows through dance and music. Many folk dances are performed in Haryana and Loor is one of them. Usually performed close to Holi festival, this dance form is popular in regions like Bagar and Bangar. In these areas, Loor is the name given to a girl. As it is obvious, this dance is performed by girls where they stand in two rows. Forming a semi circle, they face each other. Song is started by one of the party and the essence of the song is –

"Your bahu has given birth to a daughter and a son is born on this side, why not marry the two".
With this song the dancing starts in earnest. The discussion regarding this problem goes on and on and finally, acceptance of proposal takes place. Later, the next issue that they discuss is regarding the gifts and presents that will be given by the son’s parents to the girl when getting married.

Description

This dance form is used to depict a marriage. It is shown that the girl after getting married reaches her in-laws place. Sentiments galore at this time as she is sad leaving her parent’s place. Using dance and song as a form of expression, she mourns for her family she has left behind. Then the husband leaves the place to join army. Years go by and he is not expected to return soon. The girl sings and dances and addresses a pigeon, an imaginary one to convey her heartfelt messages to her husband. Pigeon comes and perches on her shoulder and informs her about her husband’s arrival. She is happy and her happiness knows no bounds. With this joyful news the tempo and rhythm of the music reaches crescendo. Her friends congratulate her and dance around her at fast pace ultimately reaching its climax.

 JhumarDance 

Jhumar dance is a folk dance popular in the Haryana state of India. It takes its name from an ornament named Jhumar. The ornament is generally worn by young married women to decorate their forehead. 

This traditional dance is specially performed by the young girls who are married. The dance is performed to the beats of the musical instruments such as dholak and thali. In some parts of the state, Jhumar dance is also popularly known as the 'Hariyanvi Gidda'. 

Performance of Jhumar Dance 
Jhumar dance performers dress themselves with colourful costumes and adorn with sparkling jewelleries. They dance in happiness by singing and clapping with the beats of 'dholak' and 'thali'. 

Jhumar dance begins with a girl singing a song. There are many variations in performing this dance, each with its own distinctive rhythm. The most unique part of Jhumar dance is in one of its variations the performers stand on the thali or steel plate and they all move very elegantly by keeping the thali in feet. 

In general, while performing Jhumar dance the dancers from a circle and make graceful movements. At the same time, they charmingly move in a circle. The performance lasts for several hours. Any girl from the group comes forward and starts singing the following song: 

"Kori kori chandi ki chandri ghari, 
oupar gharyanagina, 
hai mana tari sohn, 
Phagun ka must mahina aiya". 

The above lyrics mean "My chandri is of pure silver, decked with a nagina, O mother, the intoxicating month of Phagun has arrived". After finishing the first sentence, another girl then steps forward to come inside swaying rhythmically with perfect poise and steps. The second sentence is sung by both of them. Both the dancers share lyrics and rhythm elegantly. The tempo of the dance increases as it proceeds further. The other girls do not leave their places but keep on singing the song and clap their hands or against each other. There is a short pause before a new line of the song starts. This dance is somewhat similar to the well-known Punjabi Giddha and is thus named Haryanvi Giddha. It is common in all parts of the Haryana state. 

Haryana Ghoomar

Ghoomar is a folk dance in Haryana and there are traces of this seen in Rajasthan as well. Ghoomar is performed by women in the villages and they sing and dance as part of their performance. There is a lot of musical accompaniments as well to their dance. This is a very colorful dance and it adds so much of joy and jubilation to both the dancers and the audience.

History

Considered to be one of the old dances in Haryana, this is an all-woman dance. This dance brings out the artistic qualities of women, apart from the other domestic capabilities. In fact the women there are not as literate as the women in the city, and in spite of that, they are able to play the music instruments, dance and delight the onlookers. This is just one way of the women telling the men of their competencies.

Description

Ghoomar is a very traditional folk dance that takes the subject for its performances from the current events. This shows how very well informed the women of the tribals are. This is a commendable quality as being well informed requires a very high level of intelligence that cannot be easily seen in tribal women. So, the Ghoomar dance proves that the women of Haryana are very well versed in current affairs even though they are not very well educated.

The Ghoomar dance is performed by a group of women. The total number of women whoparticipate is even in number, as though the women start as a group, as the dance performs they generally get into the formation of pairs and dance holding hands and going around at great speed with their pairs. They literally spin around when they perform this Ghoomar dance, so the women are always in pairs or even numbers in the Ghoomar dance.

The woman wear colorful dresses with traditional head cover and long skirts. The colorful skirts whirling away as the women dance is a beauty to behold. As a tradition, their dresses have a lot of embroidery work and sometimes even mirror work and this colorful style adds more beauty to the dance. The glass embroidered on the dresses look magical and the dancers look dazzling in their traditional best. Apart from Haryana, there are some traces of this dance that is seen in Haryana as well.

The women have some pots made of clay or mud and these are mostly covered with rubber strips. They hold it in both hands and dance or sometimes dance with these pots on their heads. Sometimes this pot is used a musical instrument, and the dancers themselves play it. The dancer playing the music instruments requires great talent and there are some dance forms in India where we can see this style.

Sometimes the women are seen to be clapping hands when they dance around in circles. They go in circles before the formation in pairs and they clap their hands. The clapping hands, the music and their dance steps are all in the same frequency. The dance starts slowly, but as time passes, the speed increases, and finally reaches the highest speak and at this same time the clapping and the music of the instruments also becomes louder and louder.

Other than the mud jugs and the clapping there are some more music instruments that the dancers use to add more life to the dancing and this is very important, as without the music the dance lacks the life. Dholak as expected is the main instrument as it is important for almost all dance forms – classical as well as folk in India and this is complimented by other instruments as well. Some of these instruments include cymbals, tambourine, flute etc. All these instruments blend very exquisitely together and create a very pleasing music and all these together set the stage for a stunning dance performance by the Ghoomar dancers. All in all it becomes a pleasant sight to behold.

Phag Dance

It is a seasonal dance of the farmers, this is a mixed dance but sometimes perfomed by men only, usually perfomed in the month of Phalgun. Women wear colorful traditional clothes and men display colorful turbans. 

It is because these people are having small leisure between harvesting and sowing. Crops are doing well and the season of spring is started and these people express these things with the help of rural folk in which dancing and singing is also attached. However, both women and mengroup together. Emotional expressions are expressed through feet, eyes and hands with the help of rhythm. This dance contains various numbers of movements along with the requirements of sound co-ordination. Women wear costumers which are traditional in nature and are having different colors. Similarly men also display colors with the help of theirturbans.This singing follows a style of ancient Daamal which typically originated from hoary past which is also a mixture but at various times this dance is performed only by men. However, the songs which are selected at the time of dancing are different in each dance which is organized.

Performance

Costumes which women wear at the time of dancing are colorful clothes which are traditional in nature and men wear colorful turbans. This dance is followed by beats of Dholl, Nagada and Tasha.