Dated :March 6, 2019

As part of the "Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture", the next event being organised by the Embassy of India is an event to showcase the rich and colourful culture of Rajasthan (Folk Music & Dances) at the Auditorium of DPS-MIS School on 7th March at 7 PM; Dukhan Cinema on 8th March at 6 PM; and at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) on 9th March at 7 PM.

Rajasthan represents a colourful tapestry, popular for its ancient customs & traditions, and many forms of folk dances showcased by their typical music & dance performances. The folk dances have their own distinct combination of myths, legends, tales, proverbs, riddles, ballads, folk songs, dance and music. Each performance narrates folklore in a unique and interesting way.

Rajasthani folk music and dance are woven like fabric into every aspect of people’s lives. The songs are narrations of love, separation, union with the beloved etc. Day-to-day activities are also depicted by folklores of Panihari, Chirmi, and Gorbandh. Local idioms such as the peacock cuckoo, the arrival of the clouds, friends and relatives, all form various aspects of musical expression. The Ghoomar dance from Udaipur and the Kalbeliya dance of Jaisalmer have acclaimed international recognition.

Rajasthani musical instruments play a key role in making its folk music characteristically melodious. Each folk dance is performed in groups, with specific colourful local costumes adorned by the participants.

Shri Girdhari Lal Dangi leads the troupe of 13 from Girdhar Kala Sansthan. The troupe consists of 3 instrument players and 9 dance performers.

The Embassy of India, Doha, welcomes all to experience the spirit of Rajasthan and its community where craft, beauty, heritage, passion and originality combine in a unique way.

Kesariya Balam

Kesariya Balam song is described as the Soul of Rajasthan. This was sung for the Warriors on their return to home after fighting wars away from home, by their wives. Presently this song is sung as a welcome song for foreign tourists visiting Rajasthan. The song is sung in Mand singing style, inspired from the story of Dhola and Maru, a story of a Rajput's bravery, sacrifices and tradition, set against the backdrop of the Thar desert.

Ghoomar

Ghoomar dance form was introduced by the Bhil tribe, and later adopted by the royal communities of Rajasthan. Known for its graceful movements, it is chiefly performed by veiled women who wear elaborate flowing costumes called ‘ghaghara’. It was ranked 4th in the list of "Top 10 local dances around the world" in 2013. The beauty of this folk genre is in its graceful movements that involve swaying hands, beating palms and spinning around, while singing traditional songs.

Kalbeliya

Considered by UNESCO as intangible heritage, Kalbeliya, popularly called the snake charmer dance, is performed by the women of the Kalbeliya community. Women deck up in traditional costumes, which comprise angrakhi (a jacket-like garment), odhani (veil) and black swirling ghagra (long skirt), and dance sensuously and sinuously, to the music played by the men using traditional instruments include dholak (a hand drum), khanjari and pungi (a percussion & woodwind musical instrument). The dance movements are mostly serpent-like, hence it is also referred as ‘Snake Charmer’s dance’.

Kuve Par Ekali (Paniharin)

Water is considered the most precious thing in the desert of Rajasthan and ladies who bring water from far away are known as ‘Panihari’. The old women produced mellow songs that spoke of sinuous rivers as well as the splattering waves. Rains and water constitute the theme for the majority of songs in Panihari style.

Gorband Nakhralo

Gorbandh is a popular Rajasthani folk music, concentrated on the procedure of crafty ornamental string for their conventional vehicle, camel - ship of desert. The camel adornment is called ‘Gorband’. The song talks about the loveliness in the perfect work drawn in decorating the camel, sung with Kaharwa beat.

Morya Aacho Boliyo Re

Peacock dance is a very beautiful & attractive duet dance style . In this, a separated lead lady recalls the voice ‘Pihu- Pihu’ of the peacock in the middle of night, and remembers her lover, who lives abroad. This dance is done with beautiful gestures on medium rhythm and motions.

Mhe to Mele me Ja Aayi

This duet dance shows the festivals & rituals of Rajasthan. This dance is done at a very fast pace and rhythm. Through this dance, the lady accompanied by her lover, describes her experience at the fair.

Chang Dhiro Re

This danceform symbolizes the colorful culture of Rajasthan. During the Holi festival, the atmosphere of Rajasthan becomes colorful. People dance in groups on Change-Dhap rhythm, with colorful gullets and blowing ‘Abir-Gula’.