Folk Dance of Uttar Pradesh|Charkula Dance of Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh Folk Dance Group For Event
Dances of Uttar Pradesh – Uttar Pradesh Dances – Folk Dances Uttar Pradesh – Folk Dances UP India
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Dances of Uttar Pradesh
Dances of Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh has a very vibrant culture. Various rulers who have ruled Utter Pradesh in the course of history have consolidated the culture of this state. The same effect can be clearly seen on the songs and dances of this state after all these too are an integral part of any culture.
The dances in Uttar Pradesh can be broadly classified into two categories namely Classical and Folk. The first group comprises Kathak whereas the later has Charkula, Karma, and Dadra in its list. Kathak is one of the most famous classical dances of India. The dance has its origin in the courts of Emperors and Nawabs but it has traversed a long path to come to the masses. UP has produced some of the greatest exponents of this art form.
Among the folk performances, Raslila and Charkula are two dances that have their origins at the times of Lord Krishna. While the former is an amorous dance form that depicts the love of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha, the later is symbolizes the birth of Radha. Charkula is performed on social and religious occasions.
Karma is the dance form of tribal. This dance form is very famous in the Bundelkhand region. Most of the time local; deities are evoked in this dance form that is also widely spread among the tribal belt of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gondwana, and Jharkhand.
Dadra is an extremely popular dance form of Uttar Pradesh and North Bihar. Traditionally Dadra has always been a dance form with sexual overtones. This dance has a unique style where the singers give playback to the artists dancing and lip-syncing on the stage. Most of the times the theme of Dadra revolves around nuptial and sexual bliss. So, these are some of the famous dances in Utter Pradesh. Do catch performances of any of these dance forms during your visit to UP.
Dance is a way of life for the people of Uttar Pradesh. Their enthusiasm and liveliness find expression in their rhythmic dances. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Muslim influence saw the emergence of an astounding range of dance forms that remain prominent in the performing arts of India. Kathak, one of the four classical dances of India, originated here. Ramlila, Rasalila, Nautankis and folk dances of Kumaon hills (Jhora, Chhapeli, Jagar) are all dances, that reflect the lifestyle and beliefs of the people.
CLASSICAL DANCE FORM
Kathak
Kathak Dance – One of the most famous dance forms in India, Uttar Pradesh The main genre of north Indian classical dance, developed under the Nawabs, the main theme being that of Krishna cavorting with the gopis. The performances rely on strong and energetic footwork around laikari, the intricate rhythmic compositions, accompanied by the tabla.
THE FOLK DANCES
Chholia
This is a martial dance of the Kumaon region of Uttar Pradesh. Traditionally, it used to be performed by warriors after their victorious return from battle. Now, the dance is performed at festivals such as Holi, Diwali, and weddings. The dance displays the acrobatic skills of the dancers who use swords and shields. The dance movements include whirls, jumps, twists, and turns.
Raslila
It is a generic term that includes many dances and dance-dramas throughout the country, all of them based on one theme. The term ‘ras’ refers to Krishna’s joyous, circular dance with the maids and the wives of Brahmin cowherds of the region, known as Braj. Lila means to play: not merely literally, but also God’s playful interaction with humans and other earthly beings. The other forms of Raslila such as Krishnattam and Ankiya Nat are not as widely popular as the ‘Raslila’ of Vrindavan. This form is believed to have developed in the sixteenth century due to the influence of the bhakti wave.
Khyal
Khyal, a folk art form popular in Rajasthan as well. While the origin of Khyal remains uncertain, it is an established fact that Agra was an important center. There are different styles, each known by the name of the city, the acting style, the community of the author. For example Jaipuri Khyal, the Abhinaya Khyal, Gadhaspa Khyal, and Alibaksh Khyal. Subtleties demarcate these variations.
Kathak Dance, Uttar Pradesh The festive atmosphere in no way undercuts the religious undertones of an event. Performances begin with hymns to the deities. The plays are mythological, historical, or creative in content, and are marked by romance, brave deeds, and sentiment. Equally, festive music is ensured by the nakkara or the dholak drum, cymbals, and the harmonium.
The clown is as always an integral part of a show, of and the all-male cast is directed – on stage, by the ustaad, the director-producer, who remains on stage with a prompt script.
Nautanki
It is a form of Svanga and believed to be named after a popular play Shahzadi Nautanki (The Story of Princess Nautanki). The plays may be based on historical, mythological or folk stories, and are either narrated or enacted in the grandiose epic style. The songs are increasingly film-based, although folk music has not been abandoned.
The stage manager (ranga) is part of the company of ten or twelve actors. Performances can be staged anywhere, and are generally moralistic in tone. Comic and dialogue sequences are interspersed for the purpose of changing momentum.
The two major styles of Nautanki are Hathras and Kanpur. Hathras is the older version and was encouraged by Indarman and Natharam, his disciple. In the nineteenth century, they organized akharas (training centers), where the Khalifa (leader) reigned supreme. His word was law. The singing style was high on pitch and style. The rebellion against the control of the Khalifa led to the Kanpur variation, created by Sri Krishna Pahalvan that has remained simple in the song but elaborate in stage scenery.
Charkula – A Dance Form from Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Naqal
Naqal is a farce with a leader known as the Khalifa. The clown determines the action and pace through his witticism and antics. What makes this play interesting is the fact that the all-male cast satirizes the audience as well. ‘Naqal’ is also known as ‘Naqqal’ and ‘Nakkal’ and is highly popular in Punjab and Kashmir .
Svanga
Also called Sangeet, it has its origins in the late eighteenth century. This folk form, prevalent in Haryana and Punjab as well, is sourced in the ballads and semi-historical stories. Festivals and family occasions are reasons for performance. An all-male cast will stage a play in the village open or in a patron’s house. The simple costumes are contrasted with fancy headdresses and lots of false hair. Dialogues dominate the show, with songs occupying a secondary position.
Ramlila
The Story of Rama is a generic term, including all performances pertaining to the life of the epic hero Rama, believed to be one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu (the Preserver).
The stories deal with his exile from his kingdom at Ayodhya; his subsequent victory over Ravan (the demon-king); the interaction between Rama and Sita (his wife, who accompanied him in his exile), and his brothers Lakshmana, Shatrughan and Bharat.
Traditionally Brahmin boys who are trained by the ‘liladhari’ (the leader of the troupe) play the characters of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Shatrughan, and Bharat.
Charkula
This is a traditional folk dance of Braj, where a female dancer balances a column of lighted lamps, ‘deepikas’ over her head while dancing. The ‘charkula’, a tapered wooden column with four to five circular tiers has earthen lamps on each level. The number of lamps can range from 51 to 108 at times. The dancer, with her face, veiled moves with swift graceful movements while balancing the 40 to 50 kg ‘charkula’ on her head. This visually attractive, dramatic dance is performed on the dooj of Holi, to the accompaniment of ‘Rasiya’ songs rendered by the menfolk.