Ghoomar

Ghoomer Dance Rajasthan
Ghoomer Dance Rajasthan

In Rajasthan Ghoomar is a very popular dance. There are various kinds of Ghoomar. Broadly, it can be divided into two kinds: that which is prevalent among the tribal communities in rural areas and that performed by non-tribal and people mostly living in urban areas. Since Ghoomar literally means whirling movement, be it tribal or non-tribal Ghumar, turning and circular movement form the core of the dance. Among the tribal communities, the Sanasis and the Bhils have he tradition of performing Ghoomar. The Sanasis call it Gher Ghoomar. In the tribal Ghoomar, both men and women participate, but in the non-tribal kind only women perform it. In all kinds of Ghoomar; the dancers wear highly pleated long skirts. When they take fast turns, the skirts take the shape of rotating umbrellas and then it becomes a feast for the eyes. While the tribal Ghoomar is accompanied with Dhol; Jhalar, an idiophone; and Algoza, a kind of double flute; the musical accompaniment for the non-tribal Ghoomar is provided by Dholak, Nagara, a pair of bowl shaped drums, one smaller than the other; Shehnai, the wind instrument; and harmonium. In all kinds of Ghoomar, the dancers sing while dancing.

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