Dances of Chhattisgarh

Dances of Chhattisgarh

The presence of a multitude of tribal groups has accounted for a spectrum of dance forms in this part of the country. Each tribal group has a unique culture, speaks different language and indulges in different forms of art, music and dance. Each specific occasion or festival has to be accompanied by these dances. There are different dance forms pertaining to different occasions such as marriages, transformation of seasons, child-birth, harvest, etc.

Every tribal group has its own specific tribal dance form. The chief dance forms include the Dandari dance, Sela dance, Karma dance, Bhagoriya dance, Damkach dance, Panthi dance, Gendi dance, etc. The Bhagoriya dance, being the most popular among them is performed during the Bhagoriya festival wherein the tribes pay homage to the lord of dance. Another interesting aspect of one of these tribal dance forms is the similarity between the Danderi dance and the Dandiya of Gujarat. Whereas the latter involves the use of sticks, the former is danced using the antlers of deers. There is a wide use of stilts in the dance of Gendi while the Phag dance is renowned to be a sword dance. The Lota dance, as the name suggests, has to be performed by the womenfolk balancing water filled earthen pots on their heads. Ghungroos, brass fillets, anklets, peacock feathers are among the other eminent props used in these dances. All of these dances are performed to the enticing tunes of love songs accompanied with musical instruments such as the flute (Bansuri), Tabla and Thali (plates). The enigma of these dance forms is multiplied when they are performed in the grand Chaitra Dance festival, initiated by the Gonds as a token of thanks to Annapurna, the harvest goddess.