Exploring the amazing dance forms from Darjeeling

In ancient Bengal, dancing was popular entertainment. Courtesans and temple girls (devadasis) were required to be proficient in the art of dance prescribed by Bharata in his 'Natyasastra'. Popular forms of dancing were rendered at mundane celebrations and on other occasions by low-caste tribes Nats and Domnis (women of the Dom caste) who practiced dancing and singing as hereditary professions. In the Middle ages, probably the institution of temple girls become obsolescent and class dancing was limited to courtesans. As a result dancing came to be looked down up on in respectable society. Taking affordable Darjeeling tour packages would be the amongst the best ways to explore the region.

Chhou - The Chhou is exceptional kind of dance for that is presented with dancers disguised as characters from the local folklore. The dancer impersonates flowers, gods, animals, fowl, and hunters. The dance acts are mostly short themed, and they act out a theme for a brief period of time. Chhau masks have characteristics that were mostly human somewhat altered to indicate what they're describing. The dancer's own body conveys the complete mental and mental stresses of a character. The dancer is mute, no tune is sung. The dance is acrobatic and quite vigorous. Chhau mask dance is primarily a Bhumij artwork.

Rava Dance - Rava dance is from the northern area of West Bengal. Rava Girls perform primarily these dances. Dances of Rava Community are rhythmic and colourful followed by melodious music. The motif contains delights and their daily lives of numerous holidays. Their dances include Fai Nang Mein or Welcome Dance, Nak Chung Baini or the dances evocative of catching prawn, Baishar Bidan or New Year’s Dance and Larai Lunji or War Dance. Dances of Rava Community are colourful and rhythmic accompanied by melodious music.

Jatra - It is a very popular folk theatre among Bengali-speaking people. The word Jatra means procession and developed in response to the Vaishnava movement brought by the sage Chaitanya into the region in the sixteenth century. Troupes were managed by the chief singer or actor who was often the owner as well. Performances centered on religious aspects, with high melodrama and an abundance of songs. Two characters,in particular, held the audience rapt: Conscience (Bibek) who meandered through the action, foretelling and commenting; and Fate (Niyati), always a female, who fulfilled the same function as the Bibek. Jatra continues to be a melodramatic form characterized by actors who do not need microphones. Songs mark the beginning or the close of scenes. Furniture in any scene is the solitary chair that will become whatever it is required to. The chair can represent a shrine or a bed!

So, apart from visiting the amazing places to visit near Darjeeling, do take some time out to witness these cultural extravaganza.

Pratima is a travel writer and loves to visit different places India. She is an avid traveler herself, and whenever she has the opportunity she flews to the destinations that she has listed in her travel log.