Page 4 - Oct-Dec 2011

M
DANCE DHAMAKA!!

Costumes in Indian folk dances are usually quite bright. Some costumes are also complimented by the use of heavy jewellery,
while some dances use masks to heighten the eff ect. The costumes, the masks, the diversity of the headgear, indigenous
instruments, the accessories, etc, make each dance very very special !

MAGICAL MASKS UNSCRAMBLE STILL ON THE STILT

Masks have been an integral part of our ME Performed primarily by the Gond children
various folk traditions including dance. during the rainy season from June to August on
While some masks are made for tribal rites stilts, the dancer dancing on the stilts or ‘gendi’
or religious celebrations, others are used to has to master the art of balancing and perform
depict various characters in folk dancing. on marshy land or sometimes even in water!
What’s the dance called? ___________________
MAGIC OF CHHAU
Hold State /region _____________________________
If there is one folk dance _______________
that stands out for its masks YAKKING ON
it has to be Chhau. Masks This amazing dance has two men wearing the
are an integral part of this yak skin and prancing around with gentle and
dance which is performed in rhythmic movements. As yaks they sit, jump,
Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. Special turn over, and even run in a circle with all these
attention is paid to the sets, the actions in perfect synchronization.
lighting of the stage and of course Talker
the colour and shape of the masks. _______________ Name the dance _______________________
State/region____________________________

PRANCING PEACOCK
HEADDRESS HO! A folk dance from south of India has the women

Folk dances are characterized by their performers dress as peacocks, along with
distinct costumes especially the headdress, Taraek peacock feathers and a glittering headdress as
from caps, turbans to scarves and dupattas, _______________ well as a beak. This beak is made to open and
even bird feathers and leaves, tree bark and close with the help of a thread tied to it, and
even bones, all form a part of the headgear manipulated from within the costume.
used in diff erent dances. What’s the dance called? ____________________
In which southern state is it performed? _______

BISON HORN MARIA TIGER TALE
Michta
With the Bison becoming rare, the Bison _______________ This dance is performed during the month
Horn Maria dancers have had no choice of Chaitra. Performed only by the men, the
but to use cattle horn instead. Placed on dancer paints his body with yellow and black
a bamboo frame, with peacock feathers stripes and even attaches a tail. Accompanied
(or chicken feathers) and strings of cowrie by a drummer, they dance around in complete
shells hanging down from it, this beautiful rhythm while making hissing sounds.
headgear is passed on from one generation Tamka Name the dance _______________________
to the other. _______________ Name the state ______________________

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