VandeMataram
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The western state of Gujarat is popular for its fairs and festivals, which are celebrated with great zest and fervor. None of the celebrations in this state are complete without the traditional dance and music performances. Although there are several dance forms practiced here but Dandia Raas and Garbha Raas the most famous among all the dance forms of the state. These dance forms are not only famous in Gujarat but also in the whole country. The history of these dance forms dates back to the era of Lord Krishna. It is believed that after Lord Krishna became the King of Dwarka, he patronized folk songs and dances in his kingdom. Since, then the Gujaratis have maintained the tradition and preserved the heritage in all its glory. The folk drama popular in Gujarat is known as Bhavai.
Garba Dance
One of the most popular dances of Gujarat is Graba and is famous in every part of the country. This dance form is associated with Shakti-Puja and its origin is believed to be in the worship of goddess Jagdamba. Besides Navaratri, Graba is also performed on festivals like Sharad Purnima, Vasant Panchami, Holi, etc. This dance form is performed by the women folk by forming circles. Generally `kedia` and `churidar` are worn while performing this dance form. The dancing begins with slow tempo and reaches a fast tempo. The rhythm is kept by a Dholi or drummer who sits at the centre. Sometimes, women carry 'Mandavali' a small canopy made of bamboo chips covered with a red silk piece of cloth on their heads while dancing. They dance with it and later put it in the centre. Mandavali symbolises the temple of the goddess.The instruments used in this dance form include damru, tabla, nagara, murli, turi, shehnai etc.
Dandiya Raas Dance
Dandiya is one of the most captivating dance forms of this state. During the festival of Navratri this dance is not only performed in Gujarat but throughout the country. This dance form is a special attraction of the festival. The festival is celebrated in honor of the nine incarnations of the Mother Goddess. Devotees fast for nine days with the days marked with puja and nights with vibrant dance performances. Dandiya Raas dance form is performed in a group consisting of men and women. Both men and women wear colorful clothes specially designed for the dance. Beautifully decorated wooden sticks are used as props in the dance. Made of bamboo and painted in different vibrant colors, the sticks look beautiful. While dancing the performers hold the sticks in both the hands and strike them together on the beats of the musical instruments. The performers dance in a group forming a circle. The sticks when struck together produce melodious sound. It is a fast-paced dance which involves a great deal of energy. The Kathiawari Raas dancers of Gujarat are best known for this dance form.
Bhavai
Bhavai is the folk-drama of the state of Gujarat and is performed in village and temple grounds by expert groups from north Gujarat, the Taragalas, Bhojakas, and so forth. Bhavai is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bhava" meaning expression of emotion. The Bhavai drama is a continuous performance lasting the whole night in which many "veshas" are performed in the open without any stage equipment. These Veshas depict episodes from the social life of communities in the countryside, focusing in a satirical or farcical way the characteristics of certain sections - Banias, Bohras, wandering tribes, etc. Continuous playing on the Bhungal, a very long wind brass instrument, before and during the performance calls the rural patrons to the scene of the Bhavai. Women are strictly prohibited from participating in Bhavai. Their role is performed by the male artists which makes the entire drama more ridiculous. The repertoire of the Bhavai is limited to about three dozen veshas, the authorship of which is attributed to Asait.
Tippani Dance
India has several folk dances that usually represents the community related activities and their functional aspects, and the Tippani folk dance is also a dance of such kind. In this dance, ladies labourers those are occupied with development work hit on the dance floor with long sticks called Tippani. They make use of a musical way to leave the workload that is included in their undertaking. Ladies from ocean side resort to Chorwad, which is used to whip the floor with long stays, and sing in a specific pace, while, others move in swirling of skirts. With straightforward instruments like a `turi` and a `thali` i.e. metal plate the dance specialists produce the music. Usually, parts of the Halli neighborhood perform this vigorous move shape. It is more often than not performed on festivals like Holi or Diwali as well as on special occasions like wedding.
Hallisaka Dance
Hallisaka is a folk dance of Guajarat, which is performed in a group. In this dance, dancers perform it by making 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 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.
Garba Dance
One of the most popular dances of Gujarat is Graba and is famous in every part of the country. This dance form is associated with Shakti-Puja and its origin is believed to be in the worship of goddess Jagdamba. Besides Navaratri, Graba is also performed on festivals like Sharad Purnima, Vasant Panchami, Holi, etc. This dance form is performed by the women folk by forming circles. Generally `kedia` and `churidar` are worn while performing this dance form. The dancing begins with slow tempo and reaches a fast tempo. The rhythm is kept by a Dholi or drummer who sits at the centre. Sometimes, women carry 'Mandavali' a small canopy made of bamboo chips covered with a red silk piece of cloth on their heads while dancing. They dance with it and later put it in the centre. Mandavali symbolises the temple of the goddess.The instruments used in this dance form include damru, tabla, nagara, murli, turi, shehnai etc.
Dandiya Raas Dance
Dandiya is one of the most captivating dance forms of this state. During the festival of Navratri this dance is not only performed in Gujarat but throughout the country. This dance form is a special attraction of the festival. The festival is celebrated in honor of the nine incarnations of the Mother Goddess. Devotees fast for nine days with the days marked with puja and nights with vibrant dance performances. Dandiya Raas dance form is performed in a group consisting of men and women. Both men and women wear colorful clothes specially designed for the dance. Beautifully decorated wooden sticks are used as props in the dance. Made of bamboo and painted in different vibrant colors, the sticks look beautiful. While dancing the performers hold the sticks in both the hands and strike them together on the beats of the musical instruments. The performers dance in a group forming a circle. The sticks when struck together produce melodious sound. It is a fast-paced dance which involves a great deal of energy. The Kathiawari Raas dancers of Gujarat are best known for this dance form.
Bhavai
Bhavai is the folk-drama of the state of Gujarat and is performed in village and temple grounds by expert groups from north Gujarat, the Taragalas, Bhojakas, and so forth. Bhavai is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bhava" meaning expression of emotion. The Bhavai drama is a continuous performance lasting the whole night in which many "veshas" are performed in the open without any stage equipment. These Veshas depict episodes from the social life of communities in the countryside, focusing in a satirical or farcical way the characteristics of certain sections - Banias, Bohras, wandering tribes, etc. Continuous playing on the Bhungal, a very long wind brass instrument, before and during the performance calls the rural patrons to the scene of the Bhavai. Women are strictly prohibited from participating in Bhavai. Their role is performed by the male artists which makes the entire drama more ridiculous. The repertoire of the Bhavai is limited to about three dozen veshas, the authorship of which is attributed to Asait.
Tippani Dance
India has several folk dances that usually represents the community related activities and their functional aspects, and the Tippani folk dance is also a dance of such kind. In this dance, ladies labourers those are occupied with development work hit on the dance floor with long sticks called Tippani. They make use of a musical way to leave the workload that is included in their undertaking. Ladies from ocean side resort to Chorwad, which is used to whip the floor with long stays, and sing in a specific pace, while, others move in swirling of skirts. With straightforward instruments like a `turi` and a `thali` i.e. metal plate the dance specialists produce the music. Usually, parts of the Halli neighborhood perform this vigorous move shape. It is more often than not performed on festivals like Holi or Diwali as well as on special occasions like wedding.
Hallisaka Dance
Hallisaka is a folk dance of Guajarat, which is performed in a group. In this dance, dancers perform it by making 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 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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