Folk Dances

The Folk Dances are the forte of the people of Gujarat who have preserved them in their pristinc glory.The folk dances are the natural amusement of the group of people living in the rural areas as well as forest dwellers of hilly areas. Their rugged vitality reflects the pulsating rhythm of rural life. It is the product of the people of the soil who have lived amidst age old traditions and hnce it represents the joy of life which is healthy, harmonious and hilarious. The folk dances of India unfold the rewildering varieties of styles, rhythms, colours, choreography, costumes, movements and songs. Indian culture with its diverse facts can present the most varied number of folk-dances, but they all possess a strong unifying bond of the cultural unity of India, the folk-dances have a religious background depicting the stories of mythologies and scriptures and also at times their blind faith in fancy and fantasy of ghosts and witches,hypnotics Tavifs deties and divinities.

The vast variety of folk-dances of India can be grouped under three heads:-

Community dances:
hold on main religious festivals and social occasions.

Tribal dances:
which have their roots in aboriginal and express the magical philosophy of life.

Folk-Culture of Gujarat:
The cults state of gujarat derived its name frm a prakrit word "Gujarratta" which means "the Land of Gurjars". The Gurjars were a foreign tribe of Central Asia who migrated to India during the fifth Cent. A.D. settled here and formed a new state. The cultural to additions in Gujarat are rooted in the pre-historic past. Research by Dr. Sanklia on the Sabarmati valley civilization reveal that before the development of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappen Civilization of urbanity,Folk Civilization of nonmic tribes was in existence. Reminiscences of that civilization ever today are visible in worship of animals,plants, trees and of the duties-gods and goddesses and even in the worship of or faith in BHUVA nacromancers and remoers of ills and evils through magic,strange reciitation of mantras and performance of irrational rituals. Pre-historic relics of Indus-Valley Civilizations reveal a striking balance with the existing folk-arts. The caly cult figures and seals reveal cult that Shiva and Shakti existed here. The Shakti will worship the goddess Ambica which prevails in parts of Gujarat along with the Garba dance a virtual dance dedicated to the goddess during the Navratri days. Most of the art traditions in Gujarat have their origin to the Panrative times of Lord Krishna.

FOLK DANCES OF GUJARAT
Gujarat claims to have a unique distinction of having legendary origin of its folk dances. The folk dances are varied in their styles :-

(1) The Garba and Garbi of Mataji The Goddess (2) Raas of Aayar, Mer, Bharvad and Padhar (3) Ghoriya Raas (4) Dandiya Raas (5) Tippani (6) Mashira Nritya of Siddis (7) Swords Raas of Gallants (8) Jag Nritya. (9) Matki Nritya. (10) Ashwa Nritya (11) Hinch (12) Hsnichi (13) Titodo (14) Luvar and Adivasi dances.

The folk dances are supported by Folk Music and Folk Instruments which need special mentioning.

Folk Music Instruments: Musical Instruments used in folk songs are Percussion Instruments like Dholak, Khol, Nagaru, Tabla, etc. Morli, Pava, Shanai, Zanz, Kartal, Ektaro, Gughra, Manjira, Ravanhattho, Kansijoda, Duf, Khanjari, Mukhchang, Shankh, Bhungal etc. whereas of the adivasis tribal Folk Dances are Tur, Thali,Bhajania, Dobru, Ghanglo, Chchkya, Dhako, Vahali, Dhunak, tadku, Pavri, Robi, Kahdo etc.

Folk Music Instruments: Musical Instruments used in folk songs are Percussion Instruments like Dholak, Khol, Nagaru, Tabla, etc. Morli, Pava, Shanai, Zanz, Kartal, Ektaro, Gughra, Manjira, Ravanhattho, Kansijoda, Duf, Khanjari, Mukhchang, Shankh, Bhungal etc. whereas of the adivasis tribal Folk Dances are Tur, Thali,Bhajania, Dobru, Ghanglo, Chchkya, Dhako, Vahali, Dhunak, tadku, Pavri, Robi, Kahdo etc.

Folk Dances: Folk Dances are the valuable product of our folk culture.I.Raas Nritya is considered to be a form of Ras hale supposed to be performed by Shri Krishna at Gokul and Vrindavana. It has difficult varieties.(1) Tala Rasak(2) Laleet Rasak(3) Dhandak Rasak