Folk Dances from Madya Pradesh

Bana

In the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, spring season is celebrated with the Bana dance. It is performed only by men. Each dancer holds a bamboo stick of about four feet long. Most probably the dance originated as a martial dance. Later, its character changed and it became a joyous dance to celebrate the spring season. The most avid on lookers are young girls of the village. Quite a few of the youthful dancers have their girl-friends in the audience. While dancing, a pair of lovers may exchange meaningful glances and quietly slip out and go to a predetermined place of tryst. None notices a dancer slipping out and again joining the dance. It is said that earlier the Bana dancers used to wear masks of different animals, but now none wears a mask. The drum Dhol rules the dance. The drummer has to be an expert player, because the tempo varies and the rhythmic phrases are really crisp that inspire the dancers who dance in circle around the Dhol player. Occasionally, Thali, a plate like idiophone made up of bell metal is played to enhance the appeal of the percussion music.

Baredi

The Baredi dance is performed by the dancers of Aheer community of Madhya Pradesh. They are also called Yadavas. The dance is believed to have originated by Krishna who belonged to this community of cowherds. It is performed every year just the day after the Diwali festival and danced everyday for a fortnight, i.e. till the night of the full moon. On the first day, the deity called Dulhadev is worshipped. Then the senior most member of the group puts on the forehead of each dancer a dot of sandalwood paste mixed with turmeric. The dancers wear colorful costumes and decorate themselves with ornaments made of cowries. They first perform before Dulhadev and then go and dance before every household of the village. The songs that accompany the dance usually pray God to protect and increase the cows and to bestow prosperity on the community. The instrumental music is provided by drums called dhol and nagada and flutes. At times mridang is played instead of dbol.

Bhagoria

Bilma

The autumnal dance of the Baiga tribe of Madhya Pradesh, mostly living in and around Mandla district, is called Bilma which literally means the union of two groups. A group of Baigas living in one place is called Chak. Dancers of one Chak go to another Chak. Dancers of both the Chaks perform Bilma together. The accompanying melodic music is provided by Bansuri (flute), and the drum music by Mandar, Dholak and Timki.

Chilori

Another ceremonial dance of Madhya Pradesh is Chilori. It is a dance performed by girls of tribal communities and in the age group of twelve to sixteen. Usually, sixteen to twenty dancers participate in the dance. It is danced twice every year a fortnight before Diwali and Holi festivals. It is danced everyday till the day of the festival. There is a particular place called akhraa where the dance is performed. The dancers make a circle each holding other’s waist. While dancing the dancers sway alternately to the left and to the right. They wear flowers on the temples above the ears and tie jinglebells (ghungroos) on their ankles. They begin the dance in slower tempo which goes on increasing gradually. They sing while dancing and the songs are called chilori-siring. At the end of each line of the song the dancers take a jump and hit the ground hard with both the feet. No musical instrument is played with the dance. Only on very special occasions Dhol, the drum and Jhanj, the cymbals are played to provide the rhythm.

Gaur

The Gaur dance of the Bisonhorn Marias, who mainly live in Bastar region of Madhya Pradesh, is exactly like the Koya dance.

Hiroria

While Chilori is the dance of only girls, the Hiroria of Madhya Pradesh is a dance of men only. It is performed in the lunar month of Shravan, corresponding to July/August. It is also known as Dandaa-nritya, because the dancers hold batons in both their hands and while dancing in circular movement hit the batons held by the nearest dancer. It is some what similar to the Dandia Raas of Gujarat. The dancers make various kinds of choreographic patterns. Musical accompaniment is provided by Dhol and Timki, the drums, flute, cymbals, and Chitkora, a kind of castanets. Songs accompanying the dance is called hiroria-siring. When the rhythm changes, the choreographic pattern also change.

Jhamta

The Jhamta dance of Madhya Pradesh is performed both by tribal and non-tribal communities. It is danced only by male dancers and presented at any festival or happy occasions. The dance is performed in four phases and each phase is characterized by its pattern of stepping and torso movements. The dancers sing while dancing. The songs are called Jhamta-siring. The percussion music of Dhol, Dholak, a smaller two-face drum, Timki, bowl shaped drum, Banshi, the bamboo flute and Jhanj, the cymbals accompany the dance.

Kaksar

Madai

Concentration of tribal population is highest in Madhya Pradesh. They constitute 23% of the total population of the State. There are quite a few folk dances performed by both tribal and non-tribal communities. Such a dance is Madai named after the fair that is held at the time of Diwali, the festival of lights that falls on the new moon day of the lunar month of Kartik (October/ November). Actually, this dance and the fair originally was being organized by the pastoral community called Abhir. Later, the community adopted cultivation and are known as Yadav. A legend associated with the festival is as follows : Madan Abhir is the forebear of the Abhir (also called Ahir) community. When he came from the heaven to the earth, he brought a cow with him. All the cattle found now are her numerous progeny. Once an epidemic decimated the cattle herds. Madan Abhir worshipped the Marhimata (mother goddess) with great devotion. The goddess was pleased and rooted out the epidemic. Highly obliged Madan Abhir made a silver umbrella and offered to the goddess as a token of deep gratitude. He also organized the Madai fair and festival in honor of the goddess. That day is commemorated even now by the community.

In course of time other non-tribal and tribal communities began participating in the fair and the dance. Both men and women participate in the dance. The leader of the group of dancers holds aloft a bamboo shaft, to the upper end of which is tied a bunch of peacock feather. The dancers perform to the lilting tunes of the flute palled Bansuri. The accompanying percussion musical instruments are : Mandar, Dholak, Timki and Jhanj (cymbals). The dancers wear elaborate ornaments made of cowries.

Parab

Phagnoi

The Korku tribal community of Madhya Pradesh performs the Phagnoi dance to welcome the spring season. It is performed at the time of Holi which is one of the most important festivals of the Korku community. As the name indicates, the dance is performed in the lunar month of Phagun, derivative of Phalgun corresponding to February/March. It is in this month that Holi festival is celebrated. The dance is performed only by men of all ages. It is a vigorous dance executed with great enthusiasm. The youthful dancers perform it well but some of the dancers advanced in years perform with such verve and dexterity that both onlookers and young dancers are amazed. The songs that accompany the dance is usually of amorous character that goes well with the festive spirit. The dance has acrobatic elements and the accompanying instrumental music is provided by Ghera and Dholak the drums and Jhanj, the cymbals.

Rayee

One of the many dances that celebrate the spring season is Rayee prevalent in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. The cold winter months over, the pleasant spring air inspires village folk to go gay. The harvest reaped and garnered, create a sense of security. It is the time for the rural folk to hold night long sessions of Raye. It is performed by dancing girls known as Bedani. The risqué overtones in their dancing and accompanying songs inspire spontaneous giggles and cat calls. The Bedani dancer wears an ample skirt which falls down to the ankles and a chic tight fitting blouse. She covers her upper part of the body with veil called Odhani. She wears a broad silver band on her waist. She also wears ornaments on her wrists and arms. The ornament worn over her head is called Shishphool, literally meaning head flower. Accompaniment is provided by a drummer who dances with the Bedani while playing the drum. The other accompanists do not dance and forming a group they play on the Timki, a small drum played with lean bamboo sticks, the Dhapla, a side drum, cymbals, and an S-shaped trumpet. They also sing in chorus picking up the refrain from the dancer. In the beginning of the dance invocatory songs are sung which are followed by more mundane songs highlighting the intimate, warm, and earthy aspects or rural life. Love lures naturally abound and the most intimate moments are evocatively portrayed by the dancers.

Saila-Reena

The Saila-Reena dance is performed by the Gonds of Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh. The Gond is the second largest tribal community of the country numbering around six millions. They are found in Bihar, Orissa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Piadesh, and Uttat Pradesh, besides Madhya Pradesh where they have their largest population. They are an agricultural community. The Gond of Mandla are artistic people. The women wear distinctive ornaments and tattoo marks. After a successful harvest men and women express their joy and happiness in a dance festival that takes them from village to village. The young men dance Saila a number which is danced with a baton in one hand and a spray of peacock feathers in the other. The Reena is the dance that the girls perform. When they join the group of young men the dance gathers momentum and the rhythm rises to a very fast crescendo.

Sarhul