Rajasthan Dances
Fire Dance: This form of dance is very captivating nad needs the heroics of the performer.This dance form is all about the valour of the people of this land. The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle.
A very big ground is necessary for this form of dance where live wood and charcoal are piled and 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.
Teerah Taali: This dance form is performed by a community of Rajasthan ie.the Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana and is performed in honour of theft deity, Baba Ramdeo. This dance form is rather unusual as 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.
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.
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: This is Rajasthan’s most sophisticated form of folk music which has come a long way from the time when it was only sung in royal courts, in praise of the Rajput rulers.The haunting ballads of Moomal Mahendra, Dhola-Maru and other legendary heroes and lovers are still sung by professional singers.
Performances like the Kuchamani Khayal, Maach, Tamasha, Rammat, Nautanki and Raasleela are no less popular. 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 Da.