Music
& Dance
In
the realm of the folkways dance and music rule supreme and one cannot think
of Rajasthan without this important element of its folk life. A large variety
of musical instruments is used in the countryside. It ranges from the soft tinklers
to thunderous kettledrums; from simple, slender flutes to intriguing trumpets;
and from the rustic looking resonators for basic rhythm to elegant and fully
developed bowing or plucking devices.
It is a fascinating sight to see the folk musicians of Rajasthan with their
musical instruments, who besides dressing themselves in colourful attire, also
decorate and embellish their instruments with beautiful trappings and ornamental
coverings. They are a people with music in their souls. Their amazingly rich
music has an extraordinary individuality, tradition and exotic flavor, which
gives a distinctive feature and quality to their musical sounds, and a certain
pulse which does not fail to fascinate the listener, staying like lingering
perfume. They have songs for every occasion with rich emotional content, almost
an endless variety of tunes, quite a few delightful dance forms, and a large
number of musical instruments, all a collective creation of the folks which
is retained by them in its traditional form and character and passed from one
generation to the other.
There is a great tradition of popular poetry, which is written under the rival
banners of Turru and Kalangi. This is a sung in groups in Jikri, Kanhaiyya or
Geet(of the Meenas), Hele-ke-Khyal and Bam Rasiya of Eastern Rajasthan. Group
singing of classical bandishes, called the Dangal or taalbandi is also unique
to this region. Bhopas are singing priests of various deities or warrior saints.The
Bhopas of Mataji wear costumes and play the Mashak.
Folk Musicians
Dance is often part of the musical tradition and the Theories
or Nayaks who are Pabu Bhopas, have a female accompanist; together they recite
the phad ( a painted ballad). The phad itself is an elaborately painted work
of art and deeply venerated. The Chipas or Joshis are famous phad painters.
The Jogis were well-known for their recitation of the great ballad Nihalde Sultan,
Shivji-ka-byawala and songs about Gopi Chand and Bhartrihari. Most of these
musical communities live a rural base and function as wandering minstrels traveling
from village to village. There are many other artists in different art forms
who use music as an accompaniment. The Dholies, also known as Mirasis, Dhadhies,
Manganiyarv and Langas are known for their distinct musical styles.
Recital of Pabuji's Phad
State and royal patronage elevated some of these musicians into
Kalawants
in the royal courts. Their music had acquired a sophistication that was
absent from the rustic tones of the others. The famous
Maand of RAjasthan,
which is a unique style of singing and a core melody, is their creation. True
to its desert environment, the Maand speaks of love, separation, chivalry and
revelry. Ballads are an integral part of the professional repertoire and Dhola
Maru, Moomal-Mahendra, Doongji-Jawarji, Galaleng, Jala-Boobna, Nagji-Nagwatnti
are the most popular ones. The Mahabharat and the Ramayan are popular themes
for ballads and the Mirasis and Jogis of Mewat have a delightful folk version
of the former, while Hadoti has the Ramayan of Dhai kadi.
Karna Bhil playing the
Nad
Folk opera is another field which has been made immensely popular
by the professionals, often in association with amateurs. The Chairawi and Kuchamani
Khyals, Maach of Chittaurgarh area, Tamayha of Jaipur and Rammat of Bikaner
are famous. The Nautanki and Rasleela are also seen in western Uttar Pradesh,
but sadly, the Alibakshi Khyal, the original Bhawai plays (which still have
a strong presence in Gujrat) and the musical traditions of the Rasadharies and
Rawals are now extinct.
The State Government has provided patronage and opportunities for self employment
for folk artists by organizing festivals and cultural programs. It has also
aroused and directed the interest of the local people towards our rich cultural
heritage.
Ghoomar Dance: This is basically a community dance for women and performed
on. auspicious occasions. Derived from the word ghoomna, piroutte, this is a
very simple dance where the ladies move gently, gracefully in circles.
Gait Ghoomar: This is one of the many dance-forms of the Bhil tribals.
Performed during Holi festival, this is among a few performances where both
men and women dance together.
Gait: Another Holi dance but performed only by men. This becomes Dandia
Gair in Jodhpur and Geendad in Shekhawati.
Chart Dance: This is popular in the Kisherigarh region and involves dancing
with a chari, or pot, on one’s head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the
pot.
Kachhi Ghodi: This is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate
costumes ride the equally well decorated dummy horses. Holding naked swords,
these dancers move rhythmically to the beating of drums and fifes. A singer
narrates the exploits of the Bavaria bandits of Shekhawati.
Fire Dance: The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their
tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground
is prepared with live wood and charcoal where 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.
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.
Teerah Taali: The Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana perform this
dance in honour of theft deity, Baba Ramdeo. A rather unusual performance where
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.
Kathputli: Puppet plays based on popular legends are performed by skilled
puppeteers. Displaying his skill in making the puppets’ act and dance,
the puppeteer is accompanied by a woman, usually his wife, who plays the dholak,
or drum and sings the ballad.
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
