Page 5 - Oct-Dec 2011

VOL. 8 No. 4

INCREDIBLE INDIA

There are hundreds of folk dances across the length and breadth of India. Perhaps no other nation can boast of so many folk
dances. Let’s have a look at some of them.

WE GO WEST Tertali
Tertali is the folk dance of the Kamar tribe in Madhya Pradesh.
Lavani Generally, two or three women of this tribe sit on the ground
and initiate the dance performance. Small metal cymbals
Lavani of Maharashtra is a mixture of traditional dance
called Manjris are tied to diff erent parts of their body. The
and song, which is performed mainly to the beats of the
head remains covered with a veil and gnashing a small sword
‘Dholak’—a drum-like instrument. This folk dance is executed
between their teeth and balancing a pot on their heads they
by beautiful women wearing the traditional nine-yard saree.
use the cymbals and strike them in rhythm.
Jitesh Bhatia,Std. 6, Green Fields School, Delhi
S. Sivasankari, Std. 8, Chetty’s Matric Hr. Sec. School, Chennai
Dandiya
The special characteristics of the Dandiya of Bhavai
Gujarat are the colourful costumes worn by the
dancers. The women wear traditional dresses This folk theme from
such as colourfully embroidered choli, ghagra Gujarat and Rajasthan is
and bandhani or dupattas, etc, while men look a very diffi cult dance and
attractive in their traditional colourful Kedias. only highly skilled dancers
perform this dance. It is
Elina Banerjee, Std. 11, Army Public School, Delhi
not just impressive but
Garba also stunning. The dance
involves women dancers
Garba songs are mostly in praise who balance eight to nine
of Mother Goddess Amba. The brass pitchers on their
rhythm is kept by a Dholi or a heads and twirl slowly. Illustration by: Shubhangi Choudhary, Std. 9,
drummer who sits in the centre. Bridgeford School, Ranchi
Yashvi Arora, Std. 9, Aadharshila
Women folk come out into the Vidyapeeth, Delhi
open and with perforated earthen pots holding lighted
lamps poised on their heads, they sing and clap merrily.
Koli
Kavya Chawla, Std. 6, DPS, Mathura Road, Delhi
Gazi The Koli dance of Maharashtra incorporates elements the
Kolis are most familiar with—the sea and their occupation
One of the most famous and popular local dances of
of fi shing. They form the backdrop of the story, dancing in a
Maharastra is the Gazi dance. The Gazi is practiced and
looped movement that depicts the rowing of a fi shing boat
performed by the shepherds of Maharastra and nearby states.
on undulating waves.
Sudhanshu Rahul Bhai, Std. 7, Vidya Pratishthan English Medium School, G.Madhuri, Std. 10,
Pune
B.V.B.P.S, Jubilee Hills,
Hyderabad
DID YOU KNOW Dances which were performed on the Agarwal, Std. 8, Bridgeford

occasion of marriage or the birth of a
Illustration by: Sheetal
child are called 'Sanskar Nritya'.
School, Ranchi

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