Samandar Manganiar

Sampravaahi: the music and dance presentation is a confluence or coming together of two disparate artistic streams - Manganiar Music and Singing Styles and Jaipur Gharaana Kathak Dance traditions from Rajasthan. The presentation intends to explore the hidden common or compatible features and meeting ground shared by the two as they blend, interact and, at times, flow parallel to each other but retain their distinct identities. The multifaceted classicality of the Jaipur gharaana of Kathak dance and the depth of romanticism, grandeur and gravity of the folklore and music of Rajasthan weave their magic together.

Kalbelia:- The Kalbelia dance of the Snake Charmer Community, performed to celebrate any joyful moment in the community, is an integral part of their culture. Male participants take care of the musical part of the dance. They use the different instruments (Pungi, Dufli, "Been", "Khanjari", "Morchang", and "Dholak") to create the rhythm on which the dancers perform. As the performance goes on, the rhythm becomes faster. The Kalbelia dancers (mainly females) wear long black skirts embroidered with silver ribbons. Their dance movements resemble that of snakes.

Ghoomar: Ghoomar dance form originally belongs to the Rajput community. Men are strictly prohibited and although the movements are simple as compared to other forms of dance in the state, the floating skirts of the revolving women is an aesthetically pleasing sight. Traditionally a bride is also expected to participate in this dance form when she is being welcomed to the groom’s home. The song talks of feminine concerns like ornamentation, their playful and teasing descriptions of various Rajput clans and in which one of them they would want or not want to go as brides and why.

Panihari: Water gathering is one of the regular household and bonding activities of womenfolk in Rajasthan. Many a times, they have to traverse several miles to fill up their pitchers in order to keep the household running. This activity is created on stage through the dance form of ‘chari or Panihari A typical chari performance involves several women with pitchers on their head and synchronized swaying movements. Cottonseed fires on the pitcher help create a movement of halos. The music for Chari dance is provided on the Dhol, Bankia and Thali, and some typical songs.

Bhawai: It is a popular dance in the villages of Rajasthan. It was originally a dance of unmarried girls who danced with 7 pots balanced on their heads in worship of God Shiva to bless them with a fine groom who, she wishes, will be like Shiva Himself. To please the god, the dancer symbolically goes through hardships, balancing a number of earthen pots over his or her head while dancing on nails, broken glass or a sword. This dance is a startling combination of concentration and balancing.

Terahtali: It is performed in honor of the folk deity, Baba Ramdev. It is danced by women to the accompaniment of Manjiras, Veena, Dholak and bhajans or devotional songs sung in honour of Ramdev ji, like Helo Mharo Suno Rama Pir Ji O. Women tie ‘manjiras’ to their leg, hands, head and other parts of their body and strike on them with the ones they hold in their hands. The dancers also balance pots on the head and hold a sword in their mouth.