The Kalbelia dance, performed as a celebration, is an integral part of Kalbelia culture. Their dances as well as songs are a matter of pride and also a marker of identity for the Kalbelias and they represent the creative adaptation of this community of snake charmers to changing socioeconomic conditions and their very own role in rural Rajasthani society.
Kalbelia Dance Dress
Kalbelia dance dress is a traditional black swirling skirts sway sinuously to the plaintive notes of the ‘been’ — the wooden instrument of the snake charmers. Match this charming costume with dance movements which bear resemblance to that of the serpents.
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The professional dancers are women in flowing black skirts who dance and swirl, replicating the movements of a serpent. The upper body cloth is called Angrakhi as well as an item of cloth worn head known as Odhani likewise the lower body cloth is called lehenga. All these clothes are blended in red and also black hues and also stitched as though when these dancers perform these clothes represent a combination of colours soothing to eyes as well as to the atmosphere.
Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances of Rajasthan
Kalbelia Dance Festival Rajasthan
The male participants play musical instruments, such as the pungi, a woodwind instrument traditionally played to capture snakes, the dufli, been, the khanjari – a percussion instrument, morchang, khuralio and the dholak to create the rhythm on which the dancers perform. The dancers are tattooed in traditional designs and also put on precious jewelry and garments highly stitched with tiny mirrors and also silver thread. As the performance progresses, the rhythm ends up being much faster and faster and so does the dance.
Kalbelia songs are based on stories taken from folklore and mythology and special dances are performed during Holi. The Kalbelia have a reputation for composing lyrics spontaneously and improvising songs during performances. These songs and dances become part of a dental tradition that is bied far generations as well as for which there are neither texts neither training handbooks. In 2010, the Kalbelia folk songs as well as dancings of Rajasthan were declared a part of its Intangible Heritage List by the UNESCO.
Where is Kalbelia Dance performed?
Kalbelia Dance performed
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To be captivated by performances of Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dance, head in the direction of the Thar Desert. The timeless desert is where it came from as well as is till date a valued part of the culture. Go to efficiency at Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Barmer, Jalore, Pushkar or Jaipur. The people dancing have gained worldwide recognition as well as now are an integral part of the heritage of Rajasthan.
