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FOLK DANCES

JABRO DANCE

It is a community dance of the nomadic people of Tibetan origin living in the high hills of the Changtheng area of Ladakh. Performed by men & Women at all festive occasions, the dance is an integral part of the Losar-new year celebrations. And sing Jabro songs to the musical accompaniment of Damian - a guitar like stringed instrument and the flute.

DRUGPA-RCHES

The dance is performed by the Dards, the people of Aryan origin, settled in the Dras and Gorkhan areas of Ladakh. These settlers are known as Drugpas-meaning the nomads. They are usually vegetarian people their decorations are usually ever blooming flowers alongwith other silver ornaments. A big drum, Damman and Surna are played as musical accompaniments with their dance.

DANCES OF THE LAMAS

The best dances in Ladakh are performed by the Lamas and monks in the monasteries. These performances have celestial and spiritual halo around them and involve many tantrik practices. The dances are performed with great festivity and elaborate decor, particularly at Losar - the New Year festival. The theme of these dances is invariably the struggle between the good and the evil. Characterized by the masks lamas.

OTHER DANCES OF LADAKH

YAK DANCE : Two men donning the skins of the Yak, dances with gentle and rhythmic movements. The Yak sits, jumps, turns over and runs in a circle but all the actions are perfectly synchronized. A milkmaid comes and she is ignored by the Yak, then comes the milkman striking the lash. He controls the Yak and takes it away.

In the Zaskar and Bakhamul area , the seasonal dance TUKHSTANMO is performed. It is a flower dance and is popular in the Nubra area too. When new blossoms come, the bunches are offered to the deity with songs and dance.

The Ladakhi marriage dance BAGSTONRCHES continues for weeks during the marriage ceremonies. The bride and bridegroom also join in. The dances are usually performed in tune with the songs. Surna and Damman are played with these dances.

The SHON DANCE once had royal patronage and was performed in the places on every festive occasion. The various songs in the dance add music richness to it. It is the dance of Mons and is now found only in the remote parts of Ladakh. The SURAHI DANCE - chang rches is almost extinct now. In this dance the dancers used to carry pots of chang-the local brew, on their heads and dance. The KOSHAN DANCE is popular dance performed in Leh. The dance is performed while riding on horses and the leader of the horsemen is called Landak.

Ladhakhi Dances are very colorful and majestic. The slow and gentle movements of dances are very well complemented by the richness of jeweled Peraks, Silver ornaments and rich music.

ROUF

It is the most popular dance in the Kashmir Valley and is restricted only to the womenfolk. The dance is performed during the harvesting season but the most essential occasion is the month of Ramzan when every street and corner in Kashmir resounds with Rouf songs and dance.

DHAMALI

It is a devotional dance performed by men in Kashmir to invoke the blessing of the gods. The occasions of the dance are ceremonial ones but it is very popular with the pilgrims going on Ziarat. The dancing party is led in procession by the flag bearer. The flag of ‘Alam’ is fixed in the ground and the dancers form a circle around the pole.

HIKKAT

This is a playful dance of the young boys and girls in Kashmir. The young ones form couples and the partners, interlocking their arms, hold each others hands. Joining their feet close, they bend their bodies and heads backwards. Facing each other, they go round and round with perfect precision in a fast dizzy spin. They also sing of their innocent and affectionate relations with their elders. No musical instrument is played while performing the Hikkat.

BHACHA NAGMA

It is a folk version of the Hafiz-Nagma, a dance meant for the sophisticated and initiated audience. Instead of Hafiza-a women dancer, a boy wearing the costume and jewelry of a women dances in Bacha Nagma. He sings and dances with the musical accompaniment of Sarangi, Rabab, Shehnai. Tumbaknari, Dholak etc. It is a popular form of entertainment for the common masses.

CHHAKARI

Chhakari is the most popular form of folk singing in Kashmir. The singer while singing Chhakari songs also depicts the meaning of the verse through dancing movements. Thus it is dancing, singing and musical part that brings out the latent meanings of the Chhakari songs. Chhakari is sun on all festive occasions. The singing and dance in Chhakari is supported by the musical instruments such as the Rabab, Noot, Tumbaknari, Sarang, etc.

KUD

It is a typical community dance performed in the middle mountain ranges of Jammu. During the rainy seasons. When the maize is harvested, the villagers come down from the nearby hills and gather in the vicinity of the local deity-the Gramdevta. To express their gratitude for protecting their crops, cattle and children from natural calamities, the farmers dance Kud is the deity. Men, women and children, attired in their best, gather around a bonfire for the nightlong festivities.

PHUMANIA

It is an inocative dance and expresses gratitude to the deity Gagaihl. The villagers dance and pray to the deity to protect their cattle & children from the natural calamities. The dance is performed only by the menfolk.

JAGRANA

It is a dance restricted to the womenfolk and is always performed while singing various songs. It is held after the menfolk leave the house with the bridegroom to bring the new bride. Attired in their best, gaudy, colorful garments they sing and dance the whole night.

OTHER DANCES