A Basic Introduction to Indian Folk Dance
There are many types of Indian dance, broadly categorized into classical, folk and Bollywood dance (film dance). According to the audience, classical dance is an elite art in contemporary times, while folk dance and Bollywood dance are inclined towards mass entertainment. Take a look at a basic introduction to Indian folk dance.
Introduction to Indian Dance
In addition to classical dances, India has a number of famous folk dances from different parts of the country. The folk dances of India have a long history and are recorded in the classical literature, the Yajurveda and the two great epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Some are religious, some are seasonal, etc., not only colorful, but also unique, popular with the masses, so some folk dances can be handed down from generation to generation. The following is a summary:
Pangora Dance
Pangora Dance is a kind of harvest dance performed by Punjabis during the harvest season. It can be performed by anyone, young or old. As long as there is an open space, a group of people get together, beat the drum, you can dance. At first, they dance in a circle, and newcomers can join in at any time without interrupting the continuity of the dance. The drummer stands in the center of the field and the dancers circle around him. The drummer beats the drum for a while and raises the drumsticks upwards. When the dancers see the raised drumsticks, they accelerate their pace, jumping faster and faster and shaking their whole body with the rapidity, and with one foot on the ground, they raise their hands and keep jumping in a circle. Jumping to **, they high-fived, from time to time issued "Bale! Balai!" or "Ho! Ho" shouts. Shouting exceptionally majestic, dance joyful and lively, jumping people are often happy and forgetful, look at the people also tend to dance. ** After that, it changed to a slow dance, with pleasant music, jumping slowly on one foot. At this time one of them suddenly puts his hand over his left ear and sings a song, and everyone immediately dances as wildly as at first. This is repeated several times, fast and slow, and the dancing time can be up to several hours. Skilled Pangora dancers can even make very complex acrobatic movements, such as the torso close to the ground, spine back or a dancer standing on his shoulders, he is bending his knees and kneeling to dance. Since there are no strict rules in Pangora, it gives the impression of being fresh, natural and energetic. The movements of this dance unmistakably reflect the manhood of the Punjabis.
There are several types of Pangora dances, of which the main ones are Rudy, Thumor, Tanganyi, etc., with slight differences from each other. This kind of dance is highly skillful, with a variety of formations and no sense of artifice. Accompanied by music and tambourine, melodious, harmonious, and natural touching.
The dancer's costume is wrapped around the head of a fashionable turban, the lower body around a beautiful pants, wearing a silk broadcloth, dyed blue or crimson color, brilliant. Feet tied with foot bells, dancers foot movements skillfully, accompanied by music, tambourine and foot bells rhythmic ringing, vividly demonstrated the hard-working, courageous people of India's love of life; that pleasant tune and dexterity, beautiful dance, as well as the rich expression of the people of India overcoming the natural, the determination to obtain a good harvest and the spirit of optimism.
Ghata
Ghata is the oldest dance of Punjab. The word "Ghata" means high five. Once upon a time Ghata was danced to please the gods. Today it is also danced during celebrations such as marriages.
Ghata is a very simple dance, yet it is a beautiful dance. The dance is usually performed on a moonlit night, with the dancers first forming a circle and then gradually widening it to the beat of a rapid drum. At this point, three or four people come to the center of the circle and begin to dance. They dance and sing, and play a leading role. The song they sing is called Tabai or Bard, and each time they sing the last line, the others clap their hands while repeating the song once, and so on until the end.
Ghata is generally a dance for women, and men can also dance, but separately from the women and in a separate circle. Only when celebrating a marriage can men and women **** dance.
Tyumol Dance
The Tyumol Dance (i.e., the Wild Dance), is a dance performed by men. Though not as famous as the Pongola dance, it is also prevalent in the vast rural areas of Punjab. This is because it is a dance associated with agricultural festivals. This dance can be danced at any time. It is similar to the Ghata dance in that it is danced in a circle, and to the accompaniment of drums, sometimes the men, each holding a short stick, beat rhythmically on each other and dance in a circle. Dance Qiumoer dance people, head to tie a kind of tassel with a gorgeous turban, wearing a white round-necked shirt, draped in a variety of colors, cloth sheet, cloth sheet tied to the left side of the waist, brightly colored broad-brimmed undercoat has been caged to the feet, feet wearing soft shoes. Autumn Moor dance is very beautiful and moving, a jump is three or four hours.
In addition, the Kakar dance, Rudra dance, etc., are prevalent women's dance.
Bowai
Bowai, a famous folk dance drama of Gujarat, is a very special form of dance with music, dance and theater performances, which is similar to a cabaret. The roles are all played by men and the audience is all male.
Performing Bhojpuri is an ancestral occupation of the Guru Jig, Nayag and Dilagarh communities, who form troupes to travel around the countryside and villages to perform. Especially in the Nine Nights Festival, must perform the Piwai dance to meet the Piwai Goddess mother (that is, difficult to near the mother), which is the origin of the name of the dance theater.
This dance drama does not have a stage, in the open square or temple . Courtyard. However, during the performance, it is necessary to put a statue of the goddess Nankinmu in the courtyard or square and light an oil lamp in front of the statue. The performance often lasts from the first night to the early morning of the next day. Each powai is divided into several parts, each called a swanga, and each swanga has one or two characters that perform a particular mythological story, historical figure, or social figure. The dances are often interspersed with satirical jokes to achieve some kind of banter, which is very funny and popular.
Gharba is a god-fearing dance and is the most popular folk dance of Gujarat-State. It has two forms, namely, the 'gharba' and the 'gerbi'. The gerba is danced by women and the gerbi is danced by men.
When the women dance the gerba, the lighted clay pots or seedlings of a certain crop are placed in the center of the dance, and then formed a circle, with holes in the top of the head of the lighted clay pots, in the accompanied by the sound of the song, dance to express the prayers to Mother Earth. This dance is unique in that the pots with holes in their heads emit flashing lights with the swinging of their bodies, which are as beautiful as diamonds, and the shadows from the lights are especially beautiful. Nine Nights Festival, women especially like to dance Geerba. Beautiful girls with lighted clay pots on their heads dance in groups to each house, inviting everyone to come and join in the dance. During the nine consecutive days of the festival, there is dancing and singing everywhere. Apart from festivals of a godly nature, such as on Krishna's Nativity and the Birth of Rama, this dance can also be performed on a number of other festivals. On festivals like Spring Festival, Girl's Day, Widow's Day, etc., the gharba is also danced.
Gerbi Dance
The Gerbi Dance is a dance performed by men in honor of the Mother Goddess of Difficulty of Approach on the festival of Nine Nights. The dance is generally not performed at other times. The layout of the dance floor and the dance method are the same as the gharba dance performed by women, except that the men do not carry clay pots on their heads when they dance. Those who dance the gerbi dance wear a bare upper body or a kurta with lace and a pair of Rajasthani pants underneath.
Ras Dance
Ras Dance, another famous folk dance of Gujarat, has a long history. It is a mixed gender dance and has three forms, namely, Dende Rasg (stick dance), Dal Rasg (high-five dance), and Raheed Rasg (show dance). The Dende Rasg (stick dance) is particularly popular in North India. This dance can be seen everywhere on the occasion of the Autumn Moon Festival, and it is also danced on other festivals. Once upon a time, the Rasghee Dance was only a performance of the life story of the Black God of Heaven, and only songs related to the Black God of Heaven were sung, but today the lyrics of the songs have changed, and other songs can be sung as well. Dance Las Dance, dress up no certain rules, the general female wearing a wide blouse and skirt, male wearing a long shirt or skinny pants, sometimes there is an actor dressed up as the appearance of the God of the Black Sky.
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