Ritual Folk Dances
Till a few decades ago ritual was being considered as a customary act which is often repeated in the same form for
a religious purpose. The social scientists of today define ritual as a symbolic enactment of a myth. Each of the
Indian rituals is steeped in metaphysical symbolism contained in the myth behind it. If the symbolism of the myth
is rightly understood, the ritual will appear as a poetic enactment; not an empty-religious act. Again, myths also
are now not considered as fantasies but stories or beliefs that attempt to express or explain a basic truth. Indian
mythological literature is full of epic poems steeped in fascinating symbolism. Majority of legends prevalent in
different parts of the country follow these epic poems and are highly symbolic in character. Many folk dances have
been inspired by the mythology or legends. They are all basically not realistic. They are told by blending realism
and poetic imagination to make the symbolism contained in them deeper and more intense. When these myths and
legends are presented in stylized enactments through dance movements, they become as fascinating as aesthetic.
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