Fire
Dance: The Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum
are renowned for their tantric powers and this dance
is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground
is prepared with live wood and charcoal where the
Jasnathi men and boys jump on to the fire to the
accompaniment of drum beats. The music gradually
rises in tempo and reaches a crescendo, the dancers
seem to be in a trance like state. Drum Dance: This
is a professional dance-form from Jalore. Five men
with huge drums round their necks, some with huge
cymbals accompany a dancer who holds a naked sword
in his mouth and performs vigorously by twirling
three painted sticks.
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Teerah Taali: The
Kamad community of Pokhran and Deedwana perform this
dance in honour of theft deity, Baba Ramdeo. A
rather unusual performance where the men play a
four-stringed instrument called a chau-tara and the
women sit with dozens of manjeeras, or cymbals, tied
on all over their bodies and strike them with the
ones they hold in their hands. Sometimes, the women
also hold a sword between their teeth or place pots
with lighted lamps on their heads.
Kathputli: Puppet plays based on popular
legends are performed by skilled puppeteers.
Displaying his skill in making the puppets act and
dance, the puppeteer is accompanied by a woman,
usually his wife, who plays the dholak, or drum and
sings the ballad.
Pabuji Ki Phach: A 14th century folk hero,
Pabuji is revered by the Bhopa community. The phad,
or scroll, which is about 10 metres long, highlights
the life and heroic deed of Pabuji. The Bhopas are
invited by villagers to perform in their areas
during times of sickness and misfortune. The ballad
is sung by the Bhopa as he plays the Ravan-hattha
and he is joined by his wife who holds a lamp and
illuminates the relevant portions at appropriate
points. Maand: Rajasthans most sophisticated style
of folk music and has come a long way from the time
it was only sung in royal courts, in praise of the
Rajput rulers.
Professional singers still
sing the haunting ballads of Moomal Mahendra,
Dhola-Maru and other legendary lovers and heroes.
List of singers and performers also includes the
Mirasis and Jogis of Mewat, Manganiyars and Langas,
Kanjars, Banjaras and Dholies. Performances like the
Kuchamani Khayal, Maach, Tamasha, Rammat, Nautanki
and Raasleela are no less popular.
The
musical instruments of Rajasthan are simple but
quite unusual. Handcrafted by the musicians
themselves they are rather unique and include
instruments like the Morchang, Naad, Sarangi,
Kamayacha, Rawanhattha, Algoza, Khartal, Poongi,
Bankia and Da There are dozens of other instruments
which are exclusive to Rajasthan only.
It
is a rather difficult task to list all the different
types of music, dance and entertainment that can be
found in Rajasthan. The range is mind boggling.
