<p>In Gujarat, there are several folk dances specific to castes, tribes, regions and even villages. As most dances originated in the era of Lord Krishna’s reign in Dwarka, this Saurashtra region is rich in folk dances. <br /><br /></p>.<p>One of the popular folk dances is raas leela, performed in praise of Lord Krishna. It traces its origin to the time when Lord Krishna played the flute and danced (raas) with gopiyas on the banks of Yamuna river. <br /><br />The dandiya raas looks spectacular as men and women move in unison in concentric circles. Swaying sensually, they strike each other’s dandiyas (colourfully decorated sticks) in sync with the beats of music.<br /><br />Most raas are performed on days of religious significance. What more, this raas is performed in several ways by different communities. Listed below are some of the many beautiful variations.<br /><br />The mer dandiya raas performed in Porbandar starts by people throwing colour at each other. They then brandish their dandiyas like swords, thus displaying their martial valour. Manjira nritya is raas performed to the jingling music of hand cymbals. Here, dancers use various poses of sitting, standing, turning and lying down to make a spectacular display. In gof gunthan raas, a dancer holds a stick in one hand and a length of coloured string in the other. This string is tied with a ring hung from the ceiling and is woven into a unique, colourful pattern as the dancers dance in circles below. <br /><br />Another dance form of dandiya raas is called tippani that originated from the Koli community of Saurashtra. Here, women beat the floor with sticks to the sounds of brass plates and folk songs. It is said that this particular form of dance emerged when women, during earlier times, used to break stones or press limestone in the foundation or floors of houses while singing songs. Now, tippani dance has confined itself to stages only.<br /><br />Hudo folk dance emerged among the shepherd community of Bharwad in the Panchal region of Gujarat. The dancers stand in parallel lines and dance in pairs by clapping their hands in a forceful manner, imitating two sheeps ramming their heads during fights. The hudo dance, accompanied by the music of drums, shehnai, cymbals and harmonium, sees prospective grooms carrying elaborately embellished umbrellas. <br /><br />The folk theatre form of bhavai is a satire on social issues and though it is theatrical, it incorporates dances too. Garbo is prachin (ancient) garba, where women hold earthen pots on their heads and dance. Garbi is performed only by men, wherein they hold each other’s hands or sticks and dance in pairs.<br /><br />Dandiya raas isn’t only about colourful costumes, catchy tunes and dances. It is also a reflection of our diversity. <br /><br /></p>
<p>In Gujarat, there are several folk dances specific to castes, tribes, regions and even villages. As most dances originated in the era of Lord Krishna’s reign in Dwarka, this Saurashtra region is rich in folk dances. <br /><br /></p>.<p>One of the popular folk dances is raas leela, performed in praise of Lord Krishna. It traces its origin to the time when Lord Krishna played the flute and danced (raas) with gopiyas on the banks of Yamuna river. <br /><br />The dandiya raas looks spectacular as men and women move in unison in concentric circles. Swaying sensually, they strike each other’s dandiyas (colourfully decorated sticks) in sync with the beats of music.<br /><br />Most raas are performed on days of religious significance. What more, this raas is performed in several ways by different communities. Listed below are some of the many beautiful variations.<br /><br />The mer dandiya raas performed in Porbandar starts by people throwing colour at each other. They then brandish their dandiyas like swords, thus displaying their martial valour. Manjira nritya is raas performed to the jingling music of hand cymbals. Here, dancers use various poses of sitting, standing, turning and lying down to make a spectacular display. In gof gunthan raas, a dancer holds a stick in one hand and a length of coloured string in the other. This string is tied with a ring hung from the ceiling and is woven into a unique, colourful pattern as the dancers dance in circles below. <br /><br />Another dance form of dandiya raas is called tippani that originated from the Koli community of Saurashtra. Here, women beat the floor with sticks to the sounds of brass plates and folk songs. It is said that this particular form of dance emerged when women, during earlier times, used to break stones or press limestone in the foundation or floors of houses while singing songs. Now, tippani dance has confined itself to stages only.<br /><br />Hudo folk dance emerged among the shepherd community of Bharwad in the Panchal region of Gujarat. The dancers stand in parallel lines and dance in pairs by clapping their hands in a forceful manner, imitating two sheeps ramming their heads during fights. The hudo dance, accompanied by the music of drums, shehnai, cymbals and harmonium, sees prospective grooms carrying elaborately embellished umbrellas. <br /><br />The folk theatre form of bhavai is a satire on social issues and though it is theatrical, it incorporates dances too. Garbo is prachin (ancient) garba, where women hold earthen pots on their heads and dance. Garbi is performed only by men, wherein they hold each other’s hands or sticks and dance in pairs.<br /><br />Dandiya raas isn’t only about colourful costumes, catchy tunes and dances. It is also a reflection of our diversity. <br /><br /></p>
