![]() East Indian Dances are the outcome of several religious inspirations, cultural expressions, as well as entertainment. Eastern India; coloured by the rainbow of cultural and linguistic characteristics; even thrives to be a standalone barricaded by the shadow lines of historical influences intermingled with the existing traditions of the land. Eastern India had been the historical centre of the Kalinga, Sunga and Pala empires, who had the monopoly of the political reigns to their kitty. The states also experienced the rule of Mughals and then the British empires that influenced the culture, music and tradition of eastern India a lot. Thus the major dances that emerged as the popular dance forms of the region include several folk and tribal dances along with classical dance forms. Some of the East Indian Dances are as follows: ![]() Paika: Another popular dance form of Bihar is Paika. The dance reminds us of infantry and its quickness, courage, and excitement. The dance is popular mainly in the Mayurbhanj region. A flat ground is essential for its performance. This dance displays the skills and the ability of the dancers to handle these weapons. The dance reaches its climax with the fast beats produced by ‘Mandal’. Performers wear colourful turbans and tight dhotis and stand in two rows. Holding the wooden swords and shields in their hands, warriors engage in a fierce mock combat. The Santhal Dance: This dance is based on the folk dance of Madhya Pradesh. This is the dance that usually wraps the themes related to the matters of gender and land rights. Both men and women take part in the Santhal dance. Phagua: This is a dance that is performed by the males in the time of Hindu festival Holi. Throughout their performance, the dancers throw coloured water and powder on each other. Women also join this Phagua dance in some of the parts of Jharkhand. ![]() Agni Dance: In the Rig Veda, Agni was described as the god of fire. The Agni dance is considered as the spiritual dance of Jharkhand. It is usually performed on the occasion of Bipu or Manda worship in Jharkhand. Chhau Dance: Chhau Dance is one of the most renowned tribal martial dances of India. The dance is known as Seraikella Chhau in Jharkhand, Mayurbhanj Chhau in Odisha and Purulia Chhau in West Bengal. Since the dance is supposed to have originated in the Purulia district of Bengal, it is known as such in the state. Chhau masks have mainly human features slightly modified to suggest what they are portraying. The performer's face being expressionless, the dancer's body communicates the total exciting and psychological tensions of a character. His feet have a sign language; his toes are lively, functional, and expressive, like those of animal. Rava Dance: Rava dance is from the northern part of West Bengal. These dances are performed chiefly by Rava Women. Their dances contain Fai Nang Mein or Welcome Dance, Nak Chung Baini or the dances reminiscent of catching prawn, Baishar Bidan or New Year’s Dance and Larai Lunji or War Dance. Dances of Rava Community are multi-coloured and rhythmic accompanied by melodious music. The theme includes their daily lives and joys of various festivals. Odissi Dance: Odissi dance is the classic classical dance form of Odisha and has its origin in the temples. The rhythm, the bhangis and mudras used in Odissi dance have a distinctive superiority of their own. Odissi dance deals largely with the love theme of Radha and Krishna. ![]() Gotipua Dance: The Gotipua dance has been performed in Odisha by young boys who dress up as female to honour Lord Jagannath and Lord Krishna. The actual form of the dance is executed by a group of boys who perform acrobatic figures inspired by the life of Radha and Krishna. Mahari Dance: Mahari custom of the Sri Mandira is the gorgeous Parijata flower of art and history of Utkal. Mahari Dance coming from the Nata temple of the temple has reached and extended to the stage and shastriya Odissi dance art. Now a day’s ordinary man having seen the round eye of Lord Jagannath has become wholeness of Karatali under this remains cleanliness action wholeness of Mahari. Gaudiya Nritya: The Gaudiya Nritya is a classical Bengali Dance form, performed with drama, history, poetry, colour and music. It’s an antique classical dance form originated in West Bengal, it’s mostly a temple art meant for spiritual expression. Tiger Dance of Odisha: Baagh Naach is even known by another name known as Tiger dance. Also this dance asks for vigorous movements and steps and even is carried out by professional dancers only. Majority of the locals celebrate various kinds of religious and traditional festivals and events. Therefore dancers of Baagh Naach perform this dance form on various festivals or events or even on some special occasions. |
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East Indian Dances