RAJASTHANI

The traditional dances of Rajasthan are absolutely colorful and lively and have their own significance and importance. In Rajasthan, folk dances are the highlights of any celebration and festivity. The simple yet expressive dances of Rajasthan are enjoyed by one and all. Each and every detail regarding the costumes, make up and the way of expression are taken care of. Each dancer is skilled in his/her own way and each person has a unique style of performing it. These Rajasthani dances have been performed since very old times and thus are significant historically also.

An exposition of stillness of the desert evening and the upsurge of life in the short-lived rainy season or spring are filled with rhythmic dance found in almost limitless variations in Rajasthan. The colourful people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt. After hard work in the unrelenting, harsh desert sun and the rocky terrain, they seek a respite from their exhausting work by letting themselves enthrall in gay abandon. Their evocative and soulful music provides the perfect accompaniment to their vigorous and unsophisticated dancing.

Simple, spontaneous, dancing is seen in their fairs and festival in the ‘kudakna’ of the ‘meena’ boys, the dancing, which goes with the ‘rasiya’ songs of ‘Braj’, and the dancing by women and men where the women carry a pot or a lighted lamp on their head. In the ‘charkula’ dance of ‘Braj’, an elaborate lampstand replaces the single lamp.