Folk Dances of Rajasthan

The folk dances of Rajasthan can be divided into two main categories: Regional Folk Dances and Tribal Folk Dances .

Regional Folk Dances

Ghumar

• This is the **State Dance of Rajasthan** and is known as the "Crown of dance" and the "Soul of Rajasthan" .
• It is performed only by women, typically during Teej, Gangaur, and other festive occasions .
• The dance involves women rotating on their own axis, showcasing the elasticity of their hands .
• The name 'Ghumar' comes from the 'Ghuma' (swirl) of the lehenga .
• Its 8 stages are called "Sawai" .
• Main Instruments: Dhol, Nagara, and Shehnai are used, marking it as a royal folk dance .

Kachchhi Ghodi

• A professional folk dance from the **Shekhawati region**, performed by men .
• Performers tie a wooden mare to their waist .
• Four men dance in two rows, creating patterns that resemble the blossoming and closing of a flower .
• The dance often depicts scenes of a mock war .
• Musical Instruments: Dhol, Bankiya, Thali, and Jhanjh .

Fire Dance (Agni Nritya)

• Performed by people of the **Jasnathi sect**, primarily in Katariyasar (Bikaner) .
• Dancers perform on burning embers, which are called 'matira' .
• While dancing, they chant "Fate - Fate" .
• Various agricultural activities are depicted during the performance .
• The dance was promoted by Bikaner Maharaja Ganga Singh and is now considered a professional dance form .

Dhol Dance

• Prevalent in the **Jalore region** and performed in the 'Thakna' style .
• It is performed by men from the Dholi, Mali, Sargada, and Bhil communities .
• This dance was encouraged and popularized by Jai Narayan Vyas .

Ghudhla Dance

• Performed by women in **Jodhpur** from Sheetlashaptami to Gangaur .
• It commemorates King Saatal's victory over Ghudale Khan .
• Women dance with a pierced pot on their head, in which a lamp is kept, symbolizing Ghudale Khan's head .
• Promoters of this dance include Mani Shankar Ganguly, Komal Kothari, and Devi Lal Samar .

Terah Taali

• Performed by women of the **Kamadiya Sect** during Ramdevji's fair .
• Now becoming a professional dance, its main center is Padarla, Pali .
• Dancers perform in a sitting position, tying **13 manjiras** (cymbals) to their body: nine on the right leg, two on the elbows, and two in their hands .
• Main Performer: Maangi Bai .
• Musical Instruments: Tanpura and Chautara .

Chari Dance

• A folk dance performed by **Gurjar women** in the Kishangarh region .
• Dancers balance a 'chari' (pot) on their head, inside which burning cotton seeds are placed .
• Main Performer: Falku Bai .

Bhavai Dance

• Performed by the **Bhavai community** in the Udaipur division .
• The dance focuses more on stunts and less on music .
• Stunts include dancing on a sword, on embers, and balancing 7-8 pots on the head .
• Founders/Promoters: Baghji, Roop Singh, Dayaram, and Tara Sharma .

Gidad Dance

• Performed by men in the **Shekhawati region** on the occasion of Holi .
• Men dance in a round circle holding wooden sticks .
• A man who dresses in women's clothes to dance is called 'Gangaur' .
• Main Musical Instrument: Nagada .

Bam Dance

• A folk dance performed by men in the **Bharatpur region** .
• The main instrument is a large Nagada, which is called 'Bam' .
• The songs sung during the dance are called 'Rasiya,' hence the dance is also known as **Bam Rasiya** .
• Other Instruments: Dhol, Thali, and Chimta .

Other Regional Dances

• Chung Dance: Performed in the Shekhawati Region on Holi .
• Bindori Dance: Performed in the Jhalawar Region on Holi .
• Daang Dance: Performed in the Nathdwara region on Holi .

Tribal Folk Dances

Dances of the Bhil Tribe

• Gair: Performed by Bhil men in a round circle with wooden sticks, primarily in the Mewar region on Holi. Its main center is Kanana (Balotra) .
• Gawari: Also called Rai dance, this is performed by Bhil men in Mewar for 40 days, starting the day after Raksha Bandhan .
• Yuddh: A war dance performed with swords and spears .
• Dwichakri: Performed by men and women in two concentric circles .
• Neja: Performed by both Bhil and Meena tribes, where women protect a coconut tied to a stick while men try to take it .
• Ghumra: Performed by Bhil women in the Banswara region .
• Hathimana: A marriage dance where men perform on their knees .

Dances of the Garasia Tribe

• Waalar: A couple dance performed **without any musical instruments**, with dancers forming two circles during weddings .
• Mandal: Performed with an instrument called Maadal .
• Lur: Performed by women of the Lur gotra, where the groom's side playfully demands a bride from the bride's side .
• Kood: A couple dance performed to the beat of applause, without instruments .
• Jawara: Women dance during Holi Dehan holding sorghum (jowar) in their hands .
• Moriya: Performed by men during weddings .

Dances of the Kalbeliya Tribe

• Chakri: A brisk dance where women move in a circular pose. Gulabo is a famous performer .
• Shankariya: A couple dance based on a love story .
• Bagadiya: Performed by women while begging .
• Indoni: Performed by women in attractive dresses .
• Panihaari: A couple dance .
• Note: The Kalbeliya dance was included in **UNESCO's Intangible Heritage List in 2010** .

Dances of the Kanjar Tribe

• Chakari: A women's dance where they wear a dress called 'Khushni' .
• Dhakad: A men's dance commemorating a battle between Beera and Jhala Paav .

Dances of the Kathodi Tribe

• Mavliya: Performed by men during Navratra .
• Holi: Performed by women during Holi, often forming a pyramid and wearing a 'Fadka' sari .

Dances of the Mev Tribe

• Ranbaja: Performed by men .
• Ratbai: Performed by women who wear green bangles, while men play the 'Damama' instrument .