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The
Jhoori, Gi, Swang Tegi and Rasa dances
The
Jhoori, Thadair, Rasa, Gi, Nati, Swang Tegi, Draudi and Padua are popular
dance forms of Sirmaur and the surrounding area. Jhoori is danced in the
open. It is danced to questions and answers delivered in musical tones. Each
line ends with Hoo Hoo sounds.
The
Gi
dance is performed to an intricate beat of three divisions. The
singers stand in a circle and the dancers stand in the middle rotating with arms
outstretched.
The
Dhadair or Thadair is danced to the Rudra Tal. In this the dancers hold
aloft weapon like bows, arrows, knives or sticks and yell too as they move
towards their imaginary adversaries. This song repeat scenes from the local
history.
In
the Rasa dance, the dancers step back and forth and sit and leap up
alternatively as they dance. This dance form is symbolic of the unity of the
people.
Swang
Tegi is a free dance
which copies the gestures of animals. This is danced during the
Diwali
festival with the dancers wearing tiger masks carved out of wood. Dharvedi and Droondu
are religious dances arranged during Jagaras or Shant. In these, scenes from the
battlefields or temple and stupa shapes are presented. Dancing in circles and
suddenly lying down on the ground and striking various poses are some of the
chief features of these dances. These are danced with great fervour. These
dances can be seen during the Dussera season in Kulu.
Khaydayat
and Lamba dances
In
these dance forms the dancers hold a sword in one hand and a scabbard in another
and dance in a circle. The deft sword-play among the dancers is a delightful
part of this dance and is more important than the musical or rhythmic aspect of
dance. At the time the musicians quicken the tempo and the rest of the dancers
cease to dance and stand quietly. The dance re-invokes memories of the feudal
past.
The
Lamba dance lays more stress on the movement of the feet. In this the dancers
with first movement put the right foot forward and then the left and then the
right again and in the fourth movement revert back to their original position.
At the same time they clap their hands. It is a vigorous dance.
The
Lahadi and Ghooghati dances
Lahadi
is a popular dance of hill communities which is performed by women. In this,
women form two teams which stand face to face. The singing is begun by women of
the first team and the second team retreats as the singers bend at the waist,
clap and move forward. This is then repeated by the other team and the first
team retreats to its original position. This lasts for a long time. This dance
form employs no musical instruments and the dancers clap their hands.
In
the Ghooghati dance the dancer stands in a line and the one behind puts his hand
on the shoulders of the one in front of him. The first two or three dancers sing
the song and the rest repeat the lines. This dance places a lot of importance on
physical movement. As they sing the dancers move backwards and forward and bend
sideways. This presents very interesting Choreographic composition.
The
Dand Ras and Dangi Dances
The
Dangi dances is a dance form of the Chamba area. It is performed at festivals,
weddings and during Jatara by the Gaddi women, in lines and semi circular
patterns. This is accompanied by the singing of the love ballads of Sunni and
Bhukhu. The dancers join hands and move away by turns in this graceful dance.
The
Danda Ras is danced to the best of complex rhythms like Dhamal and Lahauli on
drums. The Lahauli beat goes slowly and in this the Gaddi dancers lower and
raise their legs slowly as they dance in a circle uttering sounds like Jey Jey
and Shee Shee. They wear their tradition costume of Chola-Dora and tight fitting
Churidar pyjamas.
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