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Rajasthan Dance
It is interesting to have a look into the basic structure of some
of these instruments as it reflects a great deal on the musical
ingenuity of the folks.
Ghoomar
 The ghoomar is an
exclusive dance of the Rajput ladies in which they whirl and move
in a circle to the accompaniment of a kettledrum. Moving round,
sometime anti-clock-wise and sometime clockwise, also gyrating at
times individually, they unite hands, and with measured steps and
various graceful inclinations of body, beating palms or snapping
fingers at particular cadences, sing some lilting songs. With the
rising tempo of the drum and the accompanying music towards the
climax, participants separate themselves into pairs and swirl
swiftly about their axis, their swaying colorful garments adding
much to the great spectacle.
A new bride, on being welcomed to the home of her husband, too is
expected to dance the ghooma as one of the rituals of the new
marriage.The ghoomar is performed generally in the privacy of
homes
(rawala).
Sapera Dance
 This most
sensuous dance performed by the Kalbeliya (Snake-charmar`s
community). The sapera dancers wear long, black skirts
embroidered with silver ribbons. As they spin in a circle, their
body sways acrobatically, so that it is impossible to believe
that they are made of anything other than rubber. As the beat
increases in tempo, the pace increases to such a pitch that it
leaves the viewer as exhausted as the dance.
Terah-Taali
 Terah
thirteen cymbals are used to give rhythm to the intricate
movements of the performer and to provide a synchronous pulse to
the accompanying musical instruments as well as the devotional
singing, is a bewitching performance. Nine cymbals are fastened
on the right leg, seven between the knee and the ankle, one on
the instep, one on the big toe, and each on both the arms, while
the performer or sometimes two, sit in front the heroon housing
the image of the legendary Ramdeoji along with the accompanists
playing on chutara and khartla, singing songs in adoration of the
saint. To begin with, the accompainsts chant in slow rhythm and
the performer streching the right leg a little, starts striking
the cymbals in hands against those tied up at different places.
With the increase in the tempo, the performer stirred into rapid
lively movement weaves some intriguing patterns by changing the
sequence of the strikes and embellishments in the rhythm. The
magnificence of this grandiose spectacle lies in the simultaneity
of the swift and elegant rocking motion of the performer-
leaning, inclining and swaying back and forth of the torso, while
striking tinkling cymbals with great precision, as if in a
hypnotic trance.
Kachchi Ghodi
 The folks
also enjoy a dance, largely associated with marriage festivities
called kachchi- Ghodi. Performed mainly by the men-folk of the
Bavariia, kumhar and Sargara communities, it has its roots in the
martial traditions of Rajasthan. Four to five persons in the
attire of a bridegroom are presented as if riding horses. The
body of the dummy horse is made up of two bamboo sticks and two
baskets covered with trappings and a tastefully decorated wooden
head, while a little jute fibre makes its tail. The rident riders
in flowing colorful garments move on the stage majestically from
one end to the other, enact a battle scene elegantly brandishing
their swords in the air; and make the toy horse seem sometimes as
galloping or cantering, and sometimes rearing and prancing to the
accompaniment of the dhol, jhalar, bankia, or to the songs by the
women. The dance concludes with some vigorous movements
synchronal with the gallopadic tunes of the musical aids. |
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