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Rajasthan Dance
Dance is a form of mute expression and is as authentic an expression of culture and society as folk songs and folk stories. The colorful costumes and lively movements punctuate the harshness of the desert climate and helps uplift the spirit of its onlookers.
Whenever a culture grows, it grows in a wholesome way. As arts, architecture and food habits evolved, culture as a sphere also improved significantly during the length of its history. Some of the major dance forms in the state are as follows :
- Bhawai : Bhawai is one of the most physical forms of dance that almost borders with on-stage stunts. Veiled women balance almost seven to nine brass pitchers on the head while perching on the top of a glass or on the edge of a sword.
- Chari : Water gathering is one of the regular household activities that bonds womenfolk in Rajasthan Tour. Many a times, they have to traverse several miles to fill up their pitchers in order to keep the household running. This activity is created on stage through the dance form of ‘chari’. A typical chari performance involves several women with pitchers on their head and synchronized swaying movements. Cottonseed fires on the pitcher help create a movement of halos.
- Gair : Gair dance performance involves both men as well as women. Men are dressed in tunics which open up into full skirts and they move around in clockwise and anti clockwise movements while hitting each others sticks to create a rhythm as well as music. It has its various regional forms and is generally performed during Holi.
- Ghoomar : Ghoomar dance form originally belongs to the Rajput community. Men are strictly prohibited and although the movements are simple as compared to other forms of dance in the state, the floating skirts of the revolving women is an aesthetically pleasing sight. Traditionally a bride is also expected to participate in this dance form when she is being welcomed to the groom’s home.
Dance as a form of expression has always intrigued cultural scholars. Apart from its visible beauty and physical expertise, what is perhaps the most intriguing part is the plethora of interpretations that a dance form can be subjected to.
