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Dance
Gujarat has a unique distinction of having a legendary
origin of her folk dance forms. The most popular and known
folk dances of Gujarat are Garba, Garbi, Rasaka, Tippani, Padhar-Nritya,
Dangi-Nritya etc. Most of these dances have a circle of Mandala
as the basic Choreographic pattern.
Rasa
A form of dance which is supposed to belong
to Kutch and Suarashtra is performed all over Gujarat. The rasa
traditions are as old as the
Puranic period. In various parts of the country, Rasa are danced
in different manners. The main feature of Rasa is dancing in a circle
by men and woman, to the accompaniment of musical instruments and keeping
time either by clapping or beating of two sticks. The number of dancers
go from 8,16, 32 up to 64 couples, who also sing the song. There
are three varieties of Rasaka described.
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Danda
Rasaka-Rasa dance where Danda or sticks are used.
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Mandala
or Tala Rasaka-Rasa dance where clapping is used.
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Lata
Rasaka-Rasa dance where dancers cling to each other and dance like a
creeper to a tree.
 Most
of the art traditions of Gujarat trace their origin to the mythological
times of Lord Krishna. He is said to have been an exponent of art of dancing.
Raas Nritya is a form of dance performed by lord Krishna with Gopikas.
The Dandia variety of the Raas Nritya of Gujarat is generally performed
by a group of youthful persons, both males and females, who move in circles
to measured steps, beating time with small sticks (called dandia) singing
to the accompaniment of Dhol, Cymbals, Zanz, flute or Shehnai. When
the time beat is given by the clapping of palms and performed only
by males, it is called Garbi.
The Gof variety of the raas
is an intricate performance wherein the performers holding coloured
strings attached to a top, move in circles weaving and unweaving different
patterns.
The Mers of Saurashtra are known for their folk dance called
the Mer Raas. White shepherds perform what is called the Gher Raas.
The Gheria Raas is a dance performed by the agriculturists of south Gujarat.
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Hallisaka
Hallisaka a group dance, in the Harivamsa Purana
is very significant. This is a group dance, in a circular formation
with the hands joined together forming a chain. The time (Tala) is kept
by clapping and is accompanied by singing. A young man (Krishna)
stands in the middle of the damsels. The feet movements, toes, heels and
legs first start their journey to explore rhythmic expression measured
steps, long, short, quick, and slow accompanied in single, double
and triple timings.
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Dangi Nrita
The Gangis are unique tribals, a blend of Gujarati
and Maharashrian culture mixed harmoniously with original Dravidians.
The dance performed by Dangis is called Dangi Nritya. Men and women
join hands forming a chain or shrinkala making serpentine movements with
one of them leading. The movements is very fast, swift and create various
choreographic patterns in a fraction of a second. Each variety of step
is called 'Chala' and there are about 27 varieties of these chalas. One
of the most amazing sights of this dance is the creation of a human pyramid.
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