Folk Dances from Uttar Pradesh

Bhil Dhol

The Dhol dance prevalent in the Kumaon-Garhwal region of Uttar Pradesh is performed by the Bhil tribal community. Like all drum dances this is also performed by men only. Two kinds of dancers participate in the dance. Almost half of the group are drummer-cum-dancers. The other half of the group hold naked swords in their mouth while dancing. They do not sling the drum from their necks. Although there are acrobatic elements in the dance, human pyramid is not formed in this dance.

Churkula

In the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh a fascinating dance called Churkula is performed close to the Holi festival. Some particular villages like Oomri, Khemri, Sonkh, Mukhrayi etc specialize in this dance and onlookers from even far off villages come to watch the dance. Different dates near about the Holi festival are fixed for different villages for the performance of the dance. Churkula actually is a fabrication of either iron or wood which is like a circular cage that holds 108 burning lamps. This is balanced on the head by the trained female dancer. While balancing the Churkula on her head, the dancer also holds in both her hands two burning lamps put on lamp stands and balancing the Churkula dances mostly in circular movements. It is basically a solo dance and is danced in darkness so that the dancer is not visible clearly, but the moving lamps will be visible. It is indeed a fascinating experience to watch Chirkula in its native atmosphere. The dance is accompanied by a huge drum with one face called Bamb. It is put on a wheeled frame work that is pulled by ropes tied to it and the drum is played by more than one players with thick blunt batons. Besides the huge drum, idiophones like Jhanj and Chimta are also played to provide the percussion music for the dance. When one dancer completes her round the Churkula is passed on to the head of another dancer. Since the Churkula is quite heavy, the dancers are fed with healthy food for a few months before the performance so that they have the required strength to balance the Churkula on their heads on the day of the performance.

Dhobi

The Dhobi community of Uttar Pradesh sing and dance on every social occasions including child birth. Men and women both participate in the dancing. They usually dance in. circular formations. The accompanying music is provided by Dholak, the drum with two faces, and a folk version of Shehnai, the reeded wind instrument.

Tharuha

Among the Tharu community of Kumaon region of Uttar Pradesh, Tharuba dance is prevalent in which a boy dressed as a girl performs. The Tharuha dancers are also skillful as the Gotipuas and the Sattriya dancers. There are various kinds of dance movements, of which some have acrobatic elements. A dancer while dancing, at times, spins a large brass plate on the tip of the forefinger of the tight hand. The dancers are in a sense professionals since payment is made to them for their performance. They are accompanied by the drummer who plays Mridanga, a drum with two faces. He also sings while playing the drum. A few musicians play cymbals. The musicians form a circle and at the centre the Tharuba dancer performs.

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