The people of Rajasthan know the real art of living life to the fullest with total enjoyment in spite of harsh weather conditions and rough terrains. The fascinating dances of Rajasthan reflect culture, geography, customs and nature of the people of Rajasthan in a very apt and colorful manner with the perfect locale blending.
Interestingly, each region of Rajasthan has its own unique folk dance forms. These dances are vibrant and dynamic with graceful body movements. The best part is when the myriad hues of colors, transform the barren land into a happy zone, with the colorful costumes, combining the lively folk music.
Bhavai is one of the most dramatic dance forms of Rajasthan. It is quite amazing to watch women dancers accomplishing the balancing act whilst their feet are settled on the edge of a sword or glass top!!
Chari is a dance form with effortless hand and foot movements while balancing brass pots placed on the heads of the dancers.
Gair is performed, both by men and women. Here the dancers move first in clockwise and then in anti-clockwise directions beating their sticks to create the rhythm when they turn. This form has two versions; one is Dandi Gair of Marwar region and the other is Geendad of Shekhawati region.
Ghoomar is a community dance of Rajputs but very popular in all –over Rajasthan region! According to traditional rituals, a bride is expected to welcome her husband while showing her grace and love through this dance form.
Kachhi Ghodi is performed for the entertainment of bridegroom’s party. Dancers adorn the elaborate costumes giving the effect as if riding on a dummy horse! It originated in Shekhawati region.
Kaalbeliya is one of the sensuous dance forms performed with great flexibility and pace by the snake charmers community. The dancers get attired in long black skirts decorated with silver ribbons.
Terahtaali is named so, because thirteen cymbals are tied to various parts of dancer’s body which they strike with their graceful hand movements. It is a devotional dance form of Kamad community honoring their folk hero Baba Ramdev.
So, even the arid land has chimes and grooves that have taken the popularity of Rajasthan to the international arenas. As the International Dance Day reaches its beautiful eve, people of Rajasthan will always take pride in their ostentatious and lovely culture where the nakharali Ghoomar and chaabli Kachhi Ghodi will jazz up the feet automatically!!
