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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
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.
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.
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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