Rajasthan Folk Music & Dance

The people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt. After hard work in the harsh desert sun and the rocky terrain whenever they take time off they let themselves go in gay abandon. There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and puppet shows and other community festivities which transform the hardworking Rajasthani into a fun loving and carefree individual. Each region has it's own folk entertainment, the dance styles differ as do the songs. Interestingly enough, even the musical instruments area different.

Of considerable significance are the devotional songs and the communities who render these songs. Professional performers like the Bhaats, Dholis, Mirasis, Nats, Bhopals and Bhannds are omnipresent across the state. They are patronized by the villagers who participate actively in the shows put up by these traveling entertainers.

Some of the better known forms of entertainment 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 Jaipur and Geendad in Shekhawati.

Chari Dance :

This is popular in the Kishengarh region and involves dancing with a chari, or pot, on one's head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot.

Drum Dance :

This is a professional dance form from jalore. Five men with huge drums around 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.

List of singers and performers also includes the Mirasis and Jogis of Mewat, Manganiyars and Langas, Kanjars, Banjarass and Dholis etc. The musical instruments of Rajasthan are simple but quite unusual. Handcrafted by the musicians themselves they are rather unique. It is rather difficult to list all the different types of music, dance and entertainment that can be found in Rajasthan. The range is mind boggling.