Music and dance are deeply ingrained in the life
of Rajasthanis. The cool stillness of the desert after the searing heat
of the day and the upsurge of life in the short-lived rainy season or
spring are filled with soulful, full-throated music and rhythmic dance.
All the regions of Rajasthan have their distinct folk entertainment.
The dance styles differ and so do the songs. Interestingly, even the musical
instruments are different.
The hilly tracts of central and southern Rajasthan are rich in community
entertainments because of the lifestyle of tribes like the Bhils, Meena,
Banjaras, Saharias and Garasias.
Eastern Rajasthan is fertile and affluent, with plenty of patrons
to sustain professional entertainers like the Bhats, Kamads, Bhopas,
Kacchi Ghodi dancers and Kathputli (puppeteer).
People in the harsh scantily-populated desert areas of Western
Rajasthan have very little leisure for merrymaking. Therefore, in this
region, entertainment is provided by professional performers like
the Bhats, Dholis, Mirasis, Nats, Sargadas and Bhands.
Folk traditions and classical forms found royal patronage
in Rajasthan. A major school of the sophisticated classical Kathak dance
form originated in Jaipur, as did Dhrupad singing. The rulers of Jaisalmer
extended patronage to the Manganiyar community.
Musical Instruments
The haunting melody of Rajasthan evokes from a variety of
delightfully primitive looking instruments. The stringed variety include
the Sarangi, Rawanhattha, Kamayacha, Morchang and Ektara.
Percussion instruments come in all shapes and sizes from
the huge Nagaras and Dhols to the tiny Damrus. The Daf and Chang are a
big favourite of the Holi (the festival of colours) revellers.
Folk Dances
Rajasthani dances have a life of their own, a vigorous rhythm
that is hard to describe.
Whether it is the community dances such as the men-only Gair, or the
women-only Ghoomar, or the Gair Ghoomar in which both men and women
participate.
Or the Kachhi Ghodi dance where men in elaborate
costumes ride equally well-decorated dummy horses, while a singer narrates
the exploits of the Bavaria bandits of Shekhawati.
r the sensuous Snake dance of the Kalbeliya gypsies of Jaisalmer, in
which women accentuate supple and snake-like movements.
Or the spell-binding Fire dance of Bikaner and Churu where men dance
on a platform of smoldering embers.
Other popular dances include the Chari dance of Kishangarh and the
Drum dance of Jalore.
Then of course, there are the colourful Kathputli (puppet) shows, which
are a hot favourite with every traveller to Rajasthan.
