Entry

Folk Music in Rajasthan.

Apr 2nd, 2008 03:21
kumar gaurav, http://www.rajasthantravelsguide.com/

Folk Music is popular amongst the Tribal people of Rajasthan. Folk Music
of Rajasthan arouse the desert in all moods.

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,
pirouette, 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 tribal.
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 mind boggling.

http://www.jaipurtravels.com/
http://www.jaipurtravelguide.com/
http://www.jaipurtourismguide.com/
http://www.jaipurjaipur.com/
http://www.jaipurhandicrafts.com
http://www.udaipurtravels.com/
http://www.agratravels.com/
http://www.pushkartravels.com/
http://www.rajasthantravelsguide.com/
http://www.rajasthantravelguide.co.in/
http://www.travelpackagerajasthan.com/
http://www.namaskarindiatravels.com/
http://www.hillstationindiatour.com/
http://www.wildlifeindiatravel.com/
http://www.travelpackageindia.com/
http://www.traveltoindia.biz/
http://www.info4india.com/
http://www.indiantravelguideindia.com/
http://www.indianhotelsindia.com/
http://www.travelinindia.biz/
http://jaipurtravelsguide.blogspot.com/
http://rajasthantravelsguide.blogspot.com/
http://indiatravelsguide.blogspot.com/
http://jaipurrajasthanindia.blogspot.com/
http://travelguiderajasthan.blogspot.com/
http://aahindia.blogspot.com/
http://worldtravelsguide.blogspot.com/
http://indianhotelsindia.blogspot.com/
http://wildlifeindiatravel.blogspot.com/
http://pushkartravels.blogspot.com/
http://indiantravelguideindia.blogspot.com/