|
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.
|
