Ghoomar: A leaf out of the Rajasthani folk dance collection

Submitted by aurora on

Ghoomar is a traditional women's folk dance of Rajasthan, India which was developed by the Bhil tribe and was adopted by the Rajputs. It is performed by groups of women in swirling robes, and accompanied by men and women singing together The ghoomar is one of the legacies that they passed on to the Rajput royalty. Derived from the word ghoomna (pirouette), this is a very simple dance where the ladies, dressed in resplendent voluminous ghagras, move smoothly and gracefully in circles. The accompanying songs are sung alternately by both men and women, as the dancers move both clockwise and anti-clockwise. The effect of the free play of the folds of the ample and colourful ghagra is dazzling.

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.Rajasthani folk dances are graceful, colorful and lively saltations and reflect the vivid, rich culture of the state. The ubiquitous Ghoomar, a premier Rajasthani dance form, encapsulates the true spirit of the state’s vivacious culture.Each and every region of Rajasthan has its own unique style. Mostly, all the dancers in Rajasthan are carrying forward their age-old traditions as well as professions. All these dancers, along with their amazing dances and colorful costumes make Thar the brightest desert in the world. 

Born among the Bhils and nurtured by the Rajput womenfolk, Ghoomar is a dance performed on ceremonious occasions and festive days such as like the Holi, Gangaur, Teej celebrations etc. As part of the nuptial festivities, the bride is asked to perform the Ghoomar in Rajput households. The newly wed is soon joined by the women of the household, both old and young alike and they dance into the wee hours of the night. .This ritual is, however, held in the inner seclusion of the household called the Rawala. The dance derives its name from ghoomna, meaning pirouette or the beats to which these women whirl. Set to fast rhythm and striking beats, the women start to display their individual performances but with the increasing crescendo they dance together and display a rare coordination of footwork and hand gestures as they gyrate to the impassioned song.

The themes of the Ghoomar songs are generally episode of valor and the brave exploits of the Rajput men. The highlight of the dance is the costume adorned by the women especially to bring out the effect of their spin. .The long embroidered skirts, ghagras, flare up and twirl and their colors flash brilliantly as they dance. They wear many amulets with laces dripping with also sway as they perform this art. Gair Ghoomar is a variant of the dance form and is performed by men and women on the occasion of Holi, the festival of colors. The Walar, performed mainly by the Garasia tribe which inhabits parts of the Sirohi, Udaipur and Pali districts is considered a prototype of this famous Rajasthani folk dance. In case of these tribes, the Ghoomar is performed to the beat of percussion instruments such as the mandal and chang.

The story goes that the Bhils were an indomitable war-like tribal race. Apparently they made a nuisance of themselves by making areas controlled by them dangerous for Jaipur’s traders and people. When the Kachhwahas tried to discipline them, they simply faded away in their impregnable hills. Realizing the futility of this exercise, the Kachhwahas sued for peace. The Bhils were exempted from paying tribute – no big deal since they were not about to pay it anyway! to the Kachhwahas and were accepted as friends of the royalty. This last is important since the tribals were considered low-caste people and the royalty are kshatriyas (the warrior caste of the Indian varna system). The Bhils were further accorded the honour that unless their chieftain put a tilak (a vermillion mark put on the forehead on an auspicious occasion) on his forehead, the coronation of no future Kachhwaha king would be considered legal. Since then, by all accounts, the Bhils have remained loyal to the side of the Kachhwahas.

Submitted by stephen (not verified) on Wed, 09-Jul-2008 - 23:33

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Excellent read. I find other religious customs fascinating. I had a Hindu classmate but we never really discussed any specifics about her culture. She was a beautiful woman.

Thanks.