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 and gracefully in circles.
Chari Dance This 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
pipes.
Fire Dance The Jasnathi
community of Bikaner and Churu are renowned for their tantrik powers and
this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground is prepared
with live wood and charcoal where the men and boys jump in the fire to the
accompaniment of drum beats. The music gradually rises in tempo to a
crescendo and the dancer seems to be in a trance-like state.
Terah Taali The Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana town of
Rajasthan perform this dance in honour of their deity, Baba Ramdeo. A rather
unusual performace where the men play a four-stringed instrument called a
charu-tara and the women sit with dozens of manjeeras, or cymbals, tied 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.
Kalbelia Dance (Snake Charmer) The dance of the Kalbelia women is
vigorous and graceful. The accompanying music rises in tempo as the dance
progresses, ending with the performer dancing on glowing embers which is a
breathtaking and deeply impressive sight.
Fairs and festivals of
Rajasthan reflect the vigour and lifestyle of its people. Vibrant colours,
music and festivities make the golden sands come alive. It is rightly said
that Rajasthan is the only place where the mood and rhythm is so
overpowering that it impresses even the most seasoned traveler.
Nomadic tribes and traditional entertainers, minstrels, jugglers, puppeteers
and performs come together to make you dance on their tunes. At every halt
your evening is planned with cultural programmes, be it ghoomar, Panihari,
Gorbandh, Ghair, Kaalbelia, Chung, Agnl Nritya or puppet shows. You will
surely be enchanted by the famous folk songs Moomal, Baramasa and Gorbandh.
