|
Nepali Folk
Dance: Maruni
It is one of the oldest and most popular dances of the Nepales.
Although this dance is associated with the festival of
Tihar(Tyohar) or Diwali meaning "Festival of Light", because of
its popularity it is performed even on occasions like marriages.
Tihar is celebrated to mark the return of the Hindu god Rama from
exile. During this festival Maruni dancers richly dressed in
colourful costumes and resplendent with ornaments and nose rings
ceiled "dungris" go on a house to house visit. The dancers are
usually also accompanied by a clown called "Dhatu waray".
Sometimes Maruni dances are performed to the accompanist of the
nine instrument orchestra known as "Naumati Baja".
Nepali Folk Dance: Tamang Selo
Tamangs are a Nepali community and the "Tamang Selo" dance is
performed to the rhythmic sound of the "Damphoo" musical
instrument which the dancers carry in their hands. This dance is
therefore also called the "Damphoo Dance". It is always full of
fun and vigor and the brisk movement and rhythmic beat of the
Dampoo depicts a style peculiar to the Tamangs. It is performed on
occasions like marriage ceremony, childbirth and village fairs.
Nepali Folk Dance: Dhaan Naach
It is a folk dance performed by the Nepali community which
projects cultural heritage of them. It has become since time
immemorial. It is a ritualistic dance performed by young and old
folks alike in their traditional costumes.
Nepali Folk Dance: Dau Ra Jane
This typical Nepali dance is performed during the happy occasion
by the young girls in their traditional and colorful costumes.
Nepali Folk Dance: Sebru Naach
This dance depicts the life - style of the Sherpas, who are very
fond of songs and dances. Their songs include praises for the
colorful flora and fauna and the breath taking scenic beauty of
the Himalayan ranges.
Gurung Folk Dance: Sorathi
This dance is an exclusive possession of the Gurungs. In the olden
times it is said that one of the Gurung Kings had 1600 queens, but
had no heir. In despair, he then started snatching valuable
ornaments from his queens and sold them for his earthly pleasure.
This dance depicts how the poor queens express their grievances.
Limboo or Subba Folk Dance: Chyabrung
It is Limboo's traditional musical instrument. The dancers hang
the 'Chyap-brungs' around their necks and beat the drum with an
open palm on one side and with a stick on the other side. This
maneuvers produces two different sounds. In this fashion, groups
of Limboos or Subba men dance executing delicate and complicated
footwork son the hypnotic beats of the Chyap-Brung. It is song
less dance, which is only rhythmic music. In this age-old fold
dance the Limboo dancers depict graceful movements of wild animals
and birds.
Lepcha Folk Dance: Zo-Mal-Lok
This is a popular folk dance of the Lepcha community depicting the
sowing, reaping and harvesting of paddy. Farming folks, mostly
relatives and friends of every family - the old and young folk
alike - join hands in the process if singing and dancing - a
merrymaking spree.
Lepcha Folk Dance: Chu Faat
This age-old folk dance of Lepchas is performed in honour of the
Mount Khangchendzonga and its four associate peaks, Mt.Pandim, Mt.
Kabru, Mt. Simbrum and Mt. Narshing. These five snowy peaks are
believed to be the repository of five hidden treasures such as
Salt, Medicine, Minerals, Sacred books and Food grains. Carrying
butter lamps and green bamboo leaves, the dancers perform this
ritualistic dance with the devotional songs. It is performed on
the fifteenth day of the devotional songs. It is performed on the
fifteenth day of the seventh month of the Northern Buddhist
calendar every year.s
Lepcha Folk Dance: Kar Gnok Lok
Literally meaning "Dance of Swans" is a famous Lepcha folk dance
which depicts the sojourn of a group of migratory swans who take a
flight from the warm plains towards the cold Himalayan region in
the month of February/March and from cold region to the warm plain
in the month of October/November. The seasonal migratory flight of
these swans guide the Lepchas top begins sowing and harvesting
their crops.
Lepcha Folk Dance: Dharma Jo
This is a popular folk dance of Lepcha community depicting the
harvesting season.
Lepcha Folk Dance: Mon Dryak Loks
It is a hunting dance who are supposed to be skilled hunters. They
never kill the wild animals and birds for pleasure. Their hunting
approach is highly ritualistic. This dance depicts Lepcha's
hunting approach style carrying bows and arrows as their weapons.
Lepcha Folk Dance: Tendong Lho Faat
It is a Lepcha folklore, which is often retold to the new
generation in lyrical poetry. This folklore corresponds to the
divine occurrences as described in the Indian Vedas 'Matsya Purana'
and in Bible as the 'Great Flood'.
Lepcha Folk Dance: Mun Hait Lok
It is a ritualistic Lepcha folk dance performed by both male and
female to the accompaniment of devotional hymns. This dance
depicts the' Mun' or the Witch doctor performing the age-old
ritualistic dance.
Bhutia Folk Dance: Tashi Sabdo
This age-old dance depicts the custom of offering "Khadas" or
scarves on auspicious occasions. Young boys and girls perform this
dance carrying snow-white scarves in their hands, which is a
symbol of purity, peace and prosperity.
Tibetan Dance: Yak Chaam
This dance is performed to honour the yak, an animal on which man
is completely dependent upon for survival at high altitudes. This
dance depicts the yak and projects the simple life style of the
herdsman in the mountains.
Tibetan Dance: Singhi Chaam
The associate five peaks of the scared Mount Khangchendzonga looks
like the legendary snow lion, which is considered an important
cultural symbol of the State and is elaborately depicted in the
Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion Dance.
Sikkimese Folk Dance: Talachi
It is fabled that a king once lost his favorite horse. A search
party was sent to look for the royal steed. As they proceed along
the solitary path amidst hills and forests, the searchers sang
lively songs and danced ending the monotony of their long sojourn.
Sikkimese Folk Dance: Lu Khangthamo
It is dedicated to this day - a day of thanks giving to all Gods
and deities of the three worlds, Heaven, Earth and Hell. This age
old folk dance is performed regularly by the young and old folk
alike in their traditional customs and ornaments accompanied by
the pleasing song and music on the occasion like warming and New
Year celebrations. It is a Bhutia folk dance.
Sikkimese Folk Dance: Gha To Kito
It is a song cum dance which describes all about the treasures of
Sikkim like Mount Khangchendzonga and the snow covered Himalayan
ranges, rhododendrons and primulas, holy places, caves ad
minerals. It is a Bhutia folk dance.
Sikkimese Folk Dance: Be Yu Mista
It is a popular Bhutia folk dance performed in praise of Sikkim by
group of males and females with pleasing songs and prayers.
Sikkimese Folk Dance: Chi Rimu
It is a popular Bhutia folk dance performed in praise of Sikkim by
young and old folks. This dance is a regular feature in every
happy occasion when Bhutias express reverence to great teachers
and sacred places of worship.
Sikkimese Folk Dance: Rechungma
It is typical Sikkimese dance performed during the happy occasions
like childbirth, marriage and other social gatherings, offer
paying their sincere thanks to the god for his blessings.
Sikkimese Folk Dance: Gnungmala Gnunghey
It is a typical Bhutia fold dance performed in praise, by both
male and female to the accompaniment of devotional hymns and song
of the multi purpose majestic bamboos, describing its use.
Sikkimese Folk Dance: Tashi Zaldha
It is a dance depicting the Bhutia custom of offering scarves,
performed by boys and girls.
Mask Dance: Enchey Chaam
Sikkim's famous mask dances provide a spectacle, perhaps nowhere
to be experienced in the entire world. Performed by lamas in the 'Gompa'
courtyard to celebrate religious festivals, dances demonstrate
perfect footwork and grace. Costumed lamas with gaily painted
masks, ceremonial swords and sparkling jewels leap and swing to
the rhythm of resounding drums, trumpeting of horns and chanting
of monks. It is the annual puja celebrated with religious masked
dances on the 18th and 19th days of the 11th month of the Tibetan
Buddhist Calendar corresponding to the month of December -
January.
Mask Dance: Rumtek Chaam
It is the most important chaam (religious masked dance) performed
on the 10th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan calendar,
corresponding to the month of June. It presents eight
manifestations of the Guru Rimpoche. This is highly colorful and
spectacular and draws many pilgrim and visitors.
Mask Dance: Gouthor(Winter) Chaam
It is performed on the month of February - 2 days prior to Losar.
Mask Dance: Kagyed Dance
It is performed on the 28th and 29th day of the 10th month of the
Tibetan Calendar, around December. This dance is performed
symbolizing the destruction of the evil forces and hoping for
peace and prosperity to flourish in every Sikkimese home. The
dancers of this are extremely popular Chaam are always monks who
are accompanied liturgical music and chanting. The solemn nature
of the dance is interspersed with comic relief provided by the
jesters. Kagyed dances enact various themes from the Buddhist
mythology and culminate with the burning of effigies made of
flour, wood and paper.
The other popular dances are
Bhutia Talachi
Sherpa Sebru Naach
Guning Sorathi
Bhutia Lu-Khang-Thamo
Bhutia Gha-to-Kito
Bhutia Be-yul-mista
Bhutia Chi-Rimu. |
