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Music &
Dances of Rajasthan
Music & Dances of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is culturally rich and has extensive tradition in art and culture,
which reflects Indian way life. The dance, music and art forms have been
watchfully cultivated and patronised by the erstwhile courts. An equally
rich and varied folk culture from villages is both fascinating &
mesmerising.
The music is of uncomplicated innocence and songs
depict day-to-day relationships and chores more often focal around bring of
water. Rajasthan's cultural tapestry takes in simple folk to highly
cultivated classical music and dance in its own distinct style.
In the realm of the folkways dance and music rule supreme and one cannot
think of Rajasthan without this important element of its folk life. A large
variety of musical instruments is used in the countryside.
It
ranges from the soft tinklers to thunderous kettledrums; from simple,
slender flutes to intriguing trumpets; and from the rustic looking
resonators for basic rhythm to elegant and fully developed bowing or
plucking devices.
It is a fascinating sight to see the folk musicians of Rajasthan with their
musical instruments, who besides dressing themselves in colourful attire,
also decorate and embellish their instruments with beautiful trappings and
ornamental coverings. They are a people with music in their souls.
Their amazingly rich music has an extraordinary individuality,
tradition and exotic flavor, which gives a distinctive feature and quality
to their musical sounds, and a certain pulse which does not fail to
fascinate the listener, staying like lingering perfume.
They have songs for every occasion with rich emotional content, almost an
endless variety of tunes, quite a few delightful dance forms, and a large
number of musical instruments, all a collective creation of the folks which
is retained by them in its traditional form and character and passed from
one generation to the other.
The people of Rajasthan live life to
the hilt. After hard work in the harsh desert sun and the rocky terrain
whenever they take time off they let themselves go in gay abandon. There is
dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other
community festivities which transform the hardworking Rajasthani into a
fun-loving and carefree individual. Each region has its own folk
entertainment, the dance styles differ as do the songs. Interestingly
enough, even the musical instruments are different.
Of
considerable significance are the devotional songs and the communities who
render these songs. Professional performers like the Bhaats, Dholis,
Mirasis, Nats, Bhopas and Bhands are omnipresent across the state. They are
patronised by the villagers who participate actively in the shows put up by
these travelling entertainers. Some of the better known forms of
entertainment are:
Ghoomar Dance: This is basically a
community dance for women and performed on. auspicious occasions. Derived
from the word ghoomna, piroutte, this is a very simple dance where the
ladies move gently, gracefully in circles.
Gait Ghoomar: This is one of the many dance-forms of the Bhil
tribals. Performed during Holi festival, this is among a few performances
where both men and women dance together.
Gait: Another
Holi dance but performed only by men. This becomes Dandia Gair in Jodhpur
and Geendad in Shekhawati.
Chart Dance: This is popular
in the Kisherigarh region and involves dancing with a chari, or pot, on one’s
head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot.
Kachhi
Ghodi: This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate
costumes ride the equally well decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords,
these dancers move rhythmically to the beating of drums and fifes. A singer
narrates the exploits of the Bavaria bandits of Shekhawati.
Fire Dance: The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their
tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large
ground is prepared with live wood and charcoal where the Jasnathi men and
boys jump on to the fire to the accompaniment of drum beats. The music
gradually rises in tempo and reaches a crescendo, the dancers seem to be in
a trance like state. Drum Dance: This is a professional dance-form from
Jalore. Five men with huge drums round their necks,some with huge cymbals
accompany a dancer who holds a naked sword in his mouth and performs
vigorously by twirling three painted sticks.
Teerah Taali:
The Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana perform this dance in honour of
theft deity, Baba Ramdeo. A rather unusual performance where the men play a
four-stringed instrument called a chau-tara and the women sit with dozens of
manjeeras, or cymbals, tied on all over their bodies and strike them with
the ones they hold in their hands. Sometimes, the women also hold a sword
between their teeth or place pots with lighted lamps on their heads.
Kathputli: Puppet plays based on popular legends are performed by
skilled puppeteers. Displaying his skill in making the puppets’ act and
dance, the puppeteer is accompanied by a woman, usually his wife, who plays
the dholak, or drum and sings the ballad.
Pabuji Ki Phach:
A 14th century folk hero, Pabuji is revered by the Bhopa community. The
phad, or scroll, which is about 10 metres long, highlights the life and
heroic deed of Pabuji. The Bhopas are invited by villagers to perform in
their areas during times of sickness and misfortune. The ballad is sung by
the Bhopa as he plays the Ravan-hattha and he is joined by his wife who
holds a lamp and illuminates the relevant portions at appropriate points.
Maand: Rajasthan’s most sophisticated style of folk
music and has come a long way from the time it was only sung in royal
courts, in praise of the Rajput rulers.
Professional singers still sing the haunting ballads of Moomal Mahendra,
Dhola-Maru and other legendary lovers and heroes.
List of
singers and performers also includes the Mirasis and Jogis of Mewat,
Manganiyars and Langas, Kanjars, Banjaras and Dholies. Performances like the
Kuchamani Khayal, Maach, Tamasha, Rammat, Nautanki and Raasleela are no less
popular. The musical instruments of Rajasthan are simple but quite unusual.
Handcrafted by the musicians themselves they are rather unique and include
instruments like the Morchang, Naad, Sarangi, Kamayacha, Rawanhattha,
Algoza, Khartal, Poongi, Bankia and Da There are dozens of other instruments
which are exclusive to Rajasthan only.
It is a rather difficult
task to list all the different types of music, dance and entertainment that
can be found in Rajasthan. The range is mindboggling.
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