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Folk Dance Music

Without experiencing the Folk Music and Dances of Rajasthan a tour to Rajasthan would be incomplete. The music and dances of Rajasthan are so appealing and soothing that it matches so well with this strange and wondrous land. The state of Rajasthan has a very vibrant, highly evolved tradition of performing arts carefully nurtured and sustained over the centuries. The art of Folk Music and Dances is popular amongst the Tribal people of Rajasthan. Folk Music and dances of Rajasthan arouse the desert in all moods. The spectacular beauty of the land of Rajasthan is elated with the Folk Music and dances performed by the native people.

This sophisticated style of folk music and dances has come a long way and are being enjoyed by large number of tourists visiting the state of Rajasthan every year.

Professional singers of Rajasthan still sing the haunting ballads of Moomal Mahendra, Dhola - Maru and other legendary lovers and heroes. 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 Daf. There are dozens of other instruments, which are exclusive to Rajasthan only.

Various forms of dances which are most popular 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.

Gair 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.

Gair : 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.

It is a rather difficult task to list all the different types of music, dance, and entertainment that can be found in Rajasthan.