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Badna or Saharai is a tribal dance popular among the Santhal community of Birbhum, Bardhaman, Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram districts of West Bengal. Badna is the festival of the domestic animals like cows-cubs, buffaloes and bullocks used for cultivation as well as for their daily livelihood. In this festival all wear new clothes and even the cattle rearers, cowboys and the daily wagers are given new clothes as a recognition for their services to these animals throughout the year. The festival is celebrated on the night of the new moon in the month of November from the night of the Kali Puja of the Hindus.The festival is celebrated for two days. Both men and women dance and sing with musical instruments like dhamsa, madol, Lagra, jhai-kartal and bansi in a group of fifteen members.
Baha is the most remarkable among the various festivals celebrated by the Santhal community. The meaning of 'Baha' is flower and hence the festival of flowers is known as 'Baha'. The two main flowers used in this festival are 'Sal' and 'Mahuya'. According to the Santhali calendar 'Baha' signifies the commencement of New Year.The festival commences from the month of February and March and is celebrated to satisfy the Holy Spirits for safeguarding the village, their community and their animals. The celebration is held for three days. Both men and women decorate themselves and dance together in a group of fifteen with the rhythm of musical instruments like dhamsa, madol, singa and flute. Baha is celebrated in the districts of Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, Bardhaman, Purba and Paschim Medinipur districts of West Bengal.
In the months of September and October specially during the time of Durga Puja,the Santhal communities of Bankura, Jhargram, some regions of Paschim Medinipur and Bardhaman districts of West Bengal perform Bhuang dance which is also known as Dasai dance. Bhuang is an onomatopoeic term in consonance with deep booming sound that emits from the instrument. Wearing a turban with a peacock feather tucked on their forehead, a group of fifteen performs this dance at every courtyard of the village as well as nearby townships.They wear white dhotis or multi coloured sarees in dhoti style. Bhuang dance is only performed by men. Other instruments used in this dance are kansar, dhamsa and madol. The ceremony ends on the last day of Durga Puja that is the day of Dashami.
Boirati nritya is one of the most popular folk dances of the Rajbanshi community in the rural areas of Cooch Behar district in North Bengal. This folk dance is related to marriage ceremonies. This dance starts from the day when a marriage is fixed till the day when the new couple starts their journey back home. Boirati nritya and songs are performed in every rituals of the marriage ceremony. This dance and songs are performed by women. Now a days Boirati nritya accompanied by songs are performed for welcoming special guests in villages or in houses. The folk form is performed in a group of fifteen.The women in a bamboo made winnowing platter or tray carries all the commodities needed in the ritual for welcoming someone special and dances in circles. All the performers wears sarees of the same colour and decorate themselves with jewelleries. The musical instruments used are dotara, banshi and kartal.
Other than the name of a bird, the word bulbuli means rotation in Purulia district of West Bengal. Bulbuli dances are performed with colourful costumes representing the little bird. This folk art form is performed by men in a group of fifteen accompanied by musical instruments like dhol, dhamsa, madol,shehnai and marakas. This is basically a post harvest dance performed by the farmers and cultivators in their leisure period after reaping the crops from their fields.
Chang is a traditional rhythm instrument almost in the shape of Western instrument tumburaine. This musical instrument is the main prop of Chang Nrityo. This folk dance is performed by men in the hamlets of Jhargram and adjacent areas of Paschim Medinipur in West Bengal. This tribal dance Chang or Changu nritya is performed by male folks where the men perform the role of female dancers. This dance is performed in a group of fifteen. Instrumental and vocal music is based on mythological episodes.
Chhau is one of the most popular folk dances of West Bengal. The performers wear masks while dancing. Chivalry and bravery is exhibited through the dance . Chhau is popular in the regions of Purulia and Paschim Medinipur districts of West Bengal. The dance is performed in a group of fifteen and the instruments used are dhamsa, madol, shehnai and clarinet . According to the researchers, the original inhabitants of these regions for their living and livelihood had to go to the forests for hunting and collecting woods and fruits from the forest. While doing this they observed the movements of the animals. Chhau dance originated from the dances which the rural folks for their recreation used to dance by imitating the movements and gestures of those animals. Colourful artistic masks of different deities and customs are used in this folk form. The contents of the dance are mainly from the mythological episodes of The Ramayana, The Mahabharata and The Puranas.
Ghora nach is mostly popular in the districts of Purba Bardhaman, Bankura and Birbhum districts of West Bengal. The dance is a source of entertainment among the cultivators and farmers. In the Bengali month of Agrhayan(November-December) the cultivators after the completion of their reaping and bringing the crops to their homes enjoys leisure. In their leisure period they perform Ghora Nach. Now Gora Nach is performed in various festivals, fairs and weddings. This dance is performed by men. with a wooden puppet exactly like a horse with a hole in the centre from where the dancer gets inside the puppet. The dancer supports the puppet on their feet and the puppet is tied to their waist. A team of six to eight members are needed for this dance. Musical instruments used are shehnai, dhak, dholak, nagra and banshi.
In some of the districts of West Bengal like Malda, Murshidabad, Bardhaman and some regions of North Bengal, focusing on the festival related to Lord Shiva we find the performances of Kali Nach. In Malda the dancer wears a wooden mask of Kali where as in Murshidabad and Bardhaman the dancer paints themselves as Goddess Kali. In some performances Lord Shiva accompanies the Goddess. Kali nach is performed during Gambhira festival in Malda, Gajon festival festival in Murshidabad and Bolan festival in Bardhaman. The dance is performed in a group of six to eight members. Musical instruments used are dhak,dhol,knashi and flute.
Kalikapatari nritya is one of the many unique folk dances found in Howrah districts of West Bengal. This dance is completely performed by men. It is believed that in order to please the angry Goddess Kali, Her husband Lord Shiva performs this dance with His consorts. The dancers wear colourful dresses and ornament themselves with jewelleries. The dance is performed in a group of fifteen and the instruments played during the dance are dhak, dhol, bell, kansi etc.
The festival of 'Karam' is the worship of Karam devta,the God of power,youth and youthfulness and the festival is celebrated in the Bengali month of Bhadra. Young people in groups go to the forest to collect flowers, woods and fruits needed for the puja. While collecting, they sing and dance in groups of fifteen in the rhythm of musical instruments like dhamsa, madol and flute.The whole region seems to be dancing with them. Karam is mostly found in Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Birbhum and Purulia districts of West Bengal.
As the name indicates, Khukuri is a broad heavy knife with curved wooden handle and a distinct recurve in its blade. The knife is the main weapon used in the dance.This ornamented knife is always carried by the Gorkhas, a popular Nepalese tribe residing in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The Khukuri is a characteristic weapon of the Gorkhali Rifle of the Indian Army. Khukuri is a famous weapon which the Gurkha soldiers uses in the battlefield. Through the performance it is shown how the Gorkhas use this weapon in killing their enemies. During the dance the Gorkhas showcase their Khukuris which symbolise their pride. The dance is performed in a team of fifteen members in colourful dresses. Musical instruments used are-madal, flute, sarangi, tuna, harmonium and hijari.
Lagre is a common dance of the Santhal community. The reason is that most of their festivals are celebrated with this dance. Usually at the end of a hard day's work men and women for recreation performs Lagre in the evening in a group of fifteen .Lagre nach is popular in the districts of Purulia, Bardhaman, Birbhum, Bankura and Jhargram districts of West Bengal. Women dance in a row with hand in hand by forming a circle with the rhythm of the beats of the musical instruments like dhamsa, madol, jhai-kartal, Lagra and banshi. Lagre dance is also performed at the end of the dances like Baha, Saharai, Dang for entertaining people in every festival.
Maruni is considered as one of the traditional and oldest forms of folk dances among the Nepalese of Darjeeling district in West Bengal. Maruni dance is performed in Tihar Festival to celebrate the good over evil. This dance is also performed in various social and religious occasions. This dance is also performed to celebrate the occasion of Lord Rama coming back to Ayodhya after an exile of fourteen years. The dance is performed in a group of fifteen performers wearing colourful costumes and wearing stunning jewelleries. Musical instruments used are known as naumati baaja, that is nine musical instruments- Teep Sahanai, Dholaki, Jhurumma, Domaha, Tiamko ,Narsingha, Karnal, Dhodre Sahnai and Bikul.
Mech is a tribal community and are the inhabitants of the forest and mountain regions of Jalpaiguri district of North Bengal. The dances performed by the women of their community is known as Mech dance. Mech dance captures the varied emotions and expressions of these tribal people living in the arms of nature. There are lot of variations in Mech dance. Bagroomba dance is performed by the women folk to celebrate spring. Mesa Glang Nai is a martial dance performed in rhythmic style. Jhumre Gele Nai is another type of dance of the Mech community. The musical instruments used are bamboo flute, a drum with two faces and cymbals.
Mukha is a colloquial term for Mukhosh meaning masks. The dance which is performed by wearing those masks on the faces of the performers is known as Mukha Nach. Mukha Nach are usually ritualistic dances. This dance is popular among the Rajbanshi community of Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur. The masks of this dance are made of Gamhar wood and are curved out from a single log to give shape to the masks of different deities and other characters of everyday life. Mukha Nach starts every year from the Bengali month of Chaitra and is carried on up to the Bengali month of Jaistha. Mukha Nach includes a lot of acrobatic stances and physical feats.The dance generally narrates mythological stories and folktales. The dance is performed to please and satisfy Devi Chandi so that they can get Her blessings and don't have to face any problems in the months of their cultivation. The craftsmen of Mahishbathan in Dakshin Dinajpur are well known for making the masks of Mukha Nach. Wooden masks of Chamunda, Kali, Narasingha, Shiva, Ganesh and of old man and old woman are made according to the necessity of the characters in the dance.A team of fifteen members are needed for the performance. Musical instruments used are dotara, sarinda, mridanga and juri.
Natua is an acrobatic tribal dance performed by the folk artiste of Purulia district of West Bengal. This dance is performed by men in a team of fifteen and in this dance physical workout is exhibited along with the rhythm of the beats of various musical instruments like dhamsa, dhak, nakara and even cattle drums. Walking on ropes, events with fire, heroic jumping volts in the air, making pyramids, weight lifting by teeth etc. are some of the thrilling and enjoyable events of Natua. The performers perform bare bodied wearing only dhotis and tie colourful ribbons around their arms and forehead. Painting their chests with rice paste is also a very common feature of this art form. As the myth goes that the origin of Natua originated from the dance performed by Nandi and Bhringi, the two companions of Lord Shiva for entertainment on the marriage occasion of Lord Shiva and Debi Parboti.
Paiks were once a group of people recognised as a symbol of oppression and domination, mainly engaged by the zamindars and the feudal landlords and received patronage under them. The Paiks perform various types of physical work-outs and martial activities through which they exhibit their skills as warriors. As a part of their recreational activities,the martial communities converted their various heroic feats into artistic patterns. Paik troupes are found in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal. Paik nach is performed in a group of fifteen members wearing colourful dresses and sometimes bare bodied wearing only dhoti accompanied with musical instruments like dhak, dhol,drums, dhamas and perkerson.
Pata nach is a tribal dance mostly popular in Bankura,Purulia,Jhargram and some regions of Bardhaman district of West Bengal.It is said that this tribal dance is performed when the people of that region believes that the village deity is not satisfied with the offerings or in the occurrence of any mishap.During the offerings of some rituatistic rites,the priest gets orders in his dream to worship the village deity with pomp and granduer.Men and women dances in a group of fifteen accompanied by musical instruments like madal,banshi,tikara and the women dances together in a semi circle with hands around each others waist.
The term Raibansh means seasoned bamboo. Raibenshe was derived from Raibansh as this is a dance which is performed by seasoned bamboo. In a sentence the dance performed with seasoned bamboo is known as Raibenshe dance. This dance is mostly found in Birbhum and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal and is performed by men in a team of fifteen. Musical instruments used in the performance are dhak, dhol, jhanj and kansi. The dancers tie dancing bells round their feet for which one can hear the twinkling sound during the performance. The performers usually do not wear any specific costume or use any kind of makeup during the performance. The performers perform bare bodied tucking up their dhotis. Raibenshe is completely a martial dance where the dancers exhibit their physical work-outs, skills spontaneously with the beats of the musical instruments.
Women are also participating as female characters of the drama. Alkap is a medium of social protest through wit and humour.
Ranpa is a martial dance form performed by rural folk artiste of Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur districts of West Bengal. This dance is performed by men. Etymologically the term 'Rana' means war and 'Pa' means leg. The dance which is performed with bamboo poles having feet rest on it is known as Ranpa dance. The artiste of this folk form dances after riding on the bamboo poles with the rhythm of jai dhak, dhamsa and kansi. They exhibit different kinds of physical work-outs while dancing. Fifteen members in a team are needed for the performance of Ranpa. Evidence that once upon a time in Bengal the dacoits used to come to loot the villagers riding on Ranpa is scattered in our Bengali Literature.
Ravas are a tribal community inhabiting the forest and mountain regions of Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The dances performed by the women of the Rava community are known as Rava dances. The dances are colourful, rhythmic accompanied by melodious music. The themes of the dance vary from the chores of daily life to joys of various festivals, sowing of seeds, hunting,catching shrimps and prawns as well as war dance with shield and sword. They perform the dance in a group of fifteen. Rava is a matriarchal tribal society and the women wear dresses known as Lukun, Kambang and Phakchek. The musical instruments used are Barangshi (bamboo flute), Hem (a drum with two faces), Dandi and Barding ( idiophones made of bamboo) and Karnal ( a rare tribal instrument made of bamboo and buffalo horn).
Shaitol is one of the most popular folk forms of the Rajbanshi community of Cooch Behar district of North Bengal. Shaitol is a folk dance performed with songs in a group of six women. This folk form is related with Shasti Puja after the birth of a child. It is believed that a couple can have children only with the blessings of Shasti Devi. Therefore after a child is born Shasti Puja is mandatory among the people of this community. Shaitol is performed in the praise of Shasti Devi. The musical instrument used is dhol and the dancers sometimes tie dancing bells on their feet.
This dance form is popular among the Bhutias, the Himalayan tribes found in Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal. The dancers are men who perform in a white lion costume that represents the snow lion. The dance is performed with four to six snow lions. Each snow lion consists of two men in a white lion costume with a bluish maine. Snow lion dance represents power, strength, fearlessness and joy. The musical instruments used are drum, cymbal and flute.
