Jammu: Dance
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Dogri dances: an overview
Daily Excelsior, Dances from the mountains Sonali Jha Chatterjee,18/09/2016
Jammu and Kashmir is presently often in the news for acts of violence. But this pristine and beautiful land is also rich in culture, music and dance which is often overlooked.
It is not surprising that Jammu and Kashmir is presently almost synonymous with terrorism, curfew and unrest. Sadly, an entire generation of young people have been brought up on such ethos. But is that all there is to this beautiful state which was more known once for the Dal lake, shikaras, gardens, emerald valleys and snow capped mountains? Where do we begin our search for that beauty?
“Over the last few decades, had the government given due importance to the culture of Jammu and Kashmir, things here could have been different,” says Padmashree Balwant Thakur. He is one of those few who are not willing to give up on the essence of the state and are committed to reviving its lost glory. The founder of the Natrang theatre group, Thakur has worked towards bringing dance forms from all over J & K to one platform and present it to the world.
Witnessing such a cultural extravaganza can be an eye opener. There are many different dance forms in the regions of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. Every festival, weddings, and every joyful occasion was expressed through a dance form.
Each dance form is different but reflects the spirit of the mountains.
For example, the Rouf of Kashmir has been performed since ancient times. You will find two groups of women facing each other and performing a slow dance using simple footwork. You could catch this performance in the evenings of Ramzaan and Eid.
During weddings in the Dogri tradition, a dance called Jagarna is performed which is quite theatrical. When the menfolk are out accompanying the bridegroom to the bride’s home, the women of the house get together indulging in gossips through music, dance and revelry relating to their marital life, interrupted only when the men return.
The nomadic community in the hills has its own culture and tradition and this transforms into songs and dances. One of these communities is known as the Gujjars and their colourful dance form is called Gojari. Their songs are more like narratives of their daily lives involving the people and their livestock.
Kashmir offers a platform to the adolescents as well for displaying their musical talent. An entire dance form is dedicated to them. Bachha gyavaun or Bachha Nagma, meaning the adolescent melodious voice, is performed traditionally by boys or men dressed as boys during wedding ceremonies and cultural celebrations.
In the provinces of Poonch, Rajouri, Uri, Keran and Karnah live a community of people called the Pahari or people from the hills. Their distinctive folk songs and dances showcasing their costumes and lifestyle come through in the Pahari dance form.
Resounding in the hills of Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua and Doda regions is a very popular dance form known as Kud. Traditionally, this dance form is performed to appease the local deities. Because of the belief that missing out on this ritualistic dance would displease the deities, this form has continued over centuries and today it is performed during weddings, births and harvests. Though Kud used to be performed only by men earlier, today women participate with equal abandon.
Ladakh is known for the Jabro dance, very popular in the Changthang region. This is a community dance performed by the nomadic tribe of Tibetan origin. Performed mainly during Losar (New Year), the Jabro songs are sung to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument, the daman, and the flute.
The Bhadarwahi dance comes from the region of Bhadarwah near the foothills of the Himalayas. This area, known for its breathtaking beauty is also known as mini Kashmir. The dance is performed by another nomadic tribe known as Gaddis. They are shepherds who move along with their sheep in the region searching for grazing pastures.
Several Bollywood directors have used the dance forms of Kashmir in their films. One can remember Priti Zinta and Hrithik Roshan dancing to Bumro, Bumro in the movie, Mission Kashmir.
“As a theatre person, I can say that I have done some work to get theatre to a certain level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but the same cannot be said about the dances. Dances were left behind. As regional theatre carries with it elements of dance and music I have now amalgamated these art forms in my work. But I have always felt that at the local level artists are not given enough importance,” says Thakur.
The dance forms from J& K were brought centre stage in the form of programmes such as Jashn-e-Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Utsav and Celebrating Diversity.
As a cultural activist Thakur says that his endeavour has been to create a platform for the preservation and promotion of these art forms. He began by founding a music and dance repertory in 2004. Fortunately the hard work has paid off and today there has been a growing demand for these performances not only in India but abroad as well. The group is slated to perform in several countries in Europe soon.
Celebrating the artistic side of this ‘heaven on earth’ showcasing its beauty and diversity and also the potential to go beyond the perceived notions about this beautiful land. (TWF)
Thali Dance of Ramban
Dr Rajinder Singh Rana, Thali Dance of Ramban 20/11/2016 Daily Excelsior
The vibrant culture of Jammu and Kashmir is a beautiful amalgamation of religions, festivals, food, art, crafts, dance, and music which fills its canvas with hues and vibrancy of all sorts.
Our rich heritage, customs and rustic lifestyle is magnificently reflected in our traditional folk songs, musical instruments and dances forms like Rouf, Dhamali, Hikkat, Bhacha Nagma, Chhakari, Kud, Geetru, Gatika, Phumania etc which are not just the manifestation of our emotions but reflect the prevalent socio cultural ethos of a particular area and beliefs of its people .
Among the varied dance forms the colourful ” Thali dance” of Ramban is sheer reflection of the age old customs and life styles of the rural people reflecting the mood enthusiasm and gaiety associated with the social events and sense of celebrating them together .
Thali Dance was popular among people of Ramban in old time who used to perform it during Kirtan or Jagrans to appease local deities. Accordingly, a function was held at night wherein large number of people was invited to sing religious songs during the night followed by Arti or Bhog to the local deities in the morning. During Arti one of the persons danced while keeping Thali (plate) filled with sweets in his palm. At present, one can still witnesses this tradition in some rural societies.
As per another folk tale, It was the time when hilly people of Ramban had no source of amusement. In weddings, Thali dance was played by groom after sitting on the shoulders of Mama (maternal uncle) with Thali in palm on concluding day of the ceremony. Usually along with Sehra (wedding accessory) some money was also kept in the plate. This tradition was attributed to successful completion of marriage ceremonies. The relatives and guests used to enjoy this dance besides cracking jokes and making fun with bridegroom and one another. Besides this, Flutes, Narsinghas and drums were also played during marriages. It is believed that some of the rural areas still preserve the culture of Sehra dance.
The uniqueness of Thali Dance comes with the beautiful customary dogra dress with colourful Safa (Turban). Traditional Murli (Flute) and Dholki (drum) are played together on the sound of Shiney (two flat plates). During dance Narsingha is also blown loudly. The music team comprising two flute players, Dholki master and his associates perform sitting while as dancers after making entry in a row with two steel plates on their palms move in a circle very aesthetically. Many swinging and skilful movements with the plates are made. The dance begins in slow beat followed by rapid and complex steps. Eventually, one of the artists also wears a colourful Ghagra (traditional skirt) which moves beautifully with every movement of the dancer .Sometimes over plates, glass filled with water or katori (bowl) are also placed in order to attract the audience. With changing times the artists are incorporating new steps to make it even more appealing.
Initially Thali dance was only limited to the hilly areas from Siraj to Pogal Paristan and in some other parts. One brass Thali (plate) was used during dance by a single person and followed by two plates later on. But after 1993, with the untiring efforts of Raj Singh Raju, a local school teacher, this dance was expanded to whole of Ramban by replacing brass plate with the steel one. For the very first time, Thali dance by two students presented on the occasion of Republic day in a Higher Secondary School Ramban got big round of applause and message of its uniqueness was spread. People, who witnessed it, appreciated and encouraged the local artists for its expansion to other areas. Progressing on the same line, the artists introduced some changes. The size of the participants was gradually increased and at present more than 30 persons is performing together.
The artists have performed at various important events in the state and at the national level and have received great appreciation.
This traditional folk dance being nurtured by the locals reflects the rustic innocent lifestyle that is holding on strongly to its cultural ethos beliefs and art forms. The artists of Thali dance are making endeavour to preserve this cultural symbol.
A ray of hope has emerged from the fact that the youth of the region is showing keen interest in learning and performing this dance. Their deep rooted love, cultural affiliation and passion for the traditional dance is reflected in every performance and ensures that our ethos will be preserved and propagated for generations to come. At present women especially girls are showing keen interest in learning the Thali dance and are making performances which are being highly appreciated .
There is dire need to promote this traditional dance and to give the local artists a chance to present their talent at bigger platforms so that people get an insight into the rustic life style, the attires, musical instruments and other practices which are a part of customs of the hills.
(The author is District Information Officer Ramban)
