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Art,
Culture & Heritage
FOLK DANCE
Ras Leela
This dance is common among the people living in the Braja area of the Faridabad district. Lord Vishnu has been manifest in many incarnations. He is the supreme embodiment. He is Lord Krishna. The Gopis of Braj Bhoomi, the simple milk maid are his true devotees. Krishna choose them as the finest examples of human beings. Radha, the most beautiful of the Gopis, proud of her beauty and power over men was the last one to surrender to the utter bliss of the lord. Ras Leela becomes a dance of spiritual ecstasy with God pervading the world as his own self and as the selves of the dancing gopis. The gopis form a circle around a Krishna. In this circular dance the bracelets ,anklets and the bells of the gopis sound together in perfect harmony. Gopis moving in Rhythm, sway their bodies gracefully.
Phag Dance or Phalgun or "Faag" Dance
This is a seasonal dance ,through which agricultural people express their joy and
vigor. During the month of February -March ,they have a little leisure between sowing and harvesting. The crops are growing well, the spring is on and the rural folk express themselves through song and dance.
In this dance men and women group together. The rhythm takes them on to emotional expression through their hands, eyes, and feet. The dance involves a variety of movement ,requiring sound co-ordination. Women wear traditional costumes in different
colors. Men similarly display different colors in their turbans. They sing in the ancient Daamal style, a combination of dance and song, the origin of which dates to the hoary past, it is a mixed dance but some times it is performed by men only. The songs are different in each case.
Daph Dance
Daph dance is also a seasonal dance connected with the harvest and spring. It depicts the joyful emotions of the farmers. Men and women of all sections of the village community participate in this dance, separately. For melodic instruments the ancient Haryanavis used flutes, lutes and beens. The daph used in this dance is an ancient instrument. The songs are most suited to the occasion. The sound of the ornaments worn by the women also becomes a part of the dance-orchestra.
Dhamal Dance
Dhamal dance is as old as the Mahabharatha. It is popular among the Ahirs of Gurgaon district. It is also in vogue in Mahendargarh and Jhajjar. The dance is rooted in the deeper emotions of the people, is performed on moonlit nights of Phalgun. When the winter veil of fog and mist is lifted from the face of the earth and whisper of spring is in the air indeed. The dancers assemble in an open space and form themselves into a circle. They start with a song to the sound of Dhamal beats. The songs sung during the dance relate to the burden of love and
labor. They depict the villager's hopes, aspirations, their love -longings and joys and sorrows. Between fifteen and twenty dancers participate in the dance. Old musical instruments like Sarangi, Been, Dholak and Khartals constitute the orchestra. First of all the orchestra men make a line and start playing folk tunes. The dancers move in front of them emerging right and left when the dance starts.
Loor
Loor is a well known dance of Haryana. It is performed around the Holi festival and is very popular in the Bangar and Bagar parts of the region. In the Dadri area the term Loor is used for a girl. The participants in this dance are all girls. The dancers stand in two rows facing each other, in the form of a semi circle. One party starts a song. The burden of the song being
"Your bahu has given birth to a daughter and a son is born on this side, why not marry the two".
The dance starts with this song. For quite a while they discuss this problem. Finally the proposal is accepted. The next topic is about the presents to be given by the parents of the son to the girl at the time of marriage.
Marriage itself is performed through the dance. The girl has reached her sasural or in-laws place. There will be full of sentiment. She mourns in song and dance. The husband is away in the army and not expected back for another twelve years. The unhappy girl addresses an imaginary pigeon and through a song she persuades the pigeon to convey her message to her husband. She continues her song and dance till the pigeon returns and sits on her shoulder. The pigeon informs her that her husband is coming home soon. With this message her joy know no bounds. The rhythm and tempo of her song now increase. Her companions who have come to congratulate her, circle around her and take the dance to its climax.
Gugga Dance
Gugga Pir has several names :-Guru Gugga, Zahir Pir and Bagarwalla. Gugga is worshipped practically all over Haryana and devotees are scattered over the neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Punjab and
Himachal.
The Pir was born on Bhadon Naumi at Dadreva village in Bikaner (Rajasthan). The day is celebrated as Gugga Naumi allover northern India. Gugga is said to be a Chauhan
Rajput. Colonel Tod is of the view that his name was Bachraj. According to a folk legend he was married to Kumari
Sirial, daughter of Raja Sanjha of Kamrup He is equally worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims. About a week or two Before Gugga
Naumi, his devotees take out a procession, led by a bhagat ,carrying Gugga
Kichhari. It is a strong and long bamboo stick decorated with fans, garlands, flowers and
colored pieces of cloth .Five Bhagats are the Main dancers. They carry their own musical instruments in their hands, consisting of
Dholak, Manjiras, Deru (a small side drum), Chimta and Cymbals. The bhagats sing a song in praise of
Gugga. The dance is very simple. The dancers feet move according to the rhythm or their songs. As the tempo increases, they shed tears and beat their chests with iron chains.
These parties are seen coming in Haryana villagers during the month of Bhadon. It is an exclusively male dance and falls in the category of ritualistic dances. It create an atmosphere charged with spiritual
fervor among the devotees of Gugga.
Jhumar Dance
This dance takes in the name from Jhumar, an ornament commonly worn on the fore head by young married girls. It is performed exclusively by women. They form a circle and move gracefully, accompanied by the beats of dholak and Thali. There are many variations each with its own distinctive rhythm. The dancers loose themselves in gay abandon, dressed in
colorful costumes. The performance lasts several hours. A girl comes forwards and breaks in to song. When girl sing the song, another girl then steps forward, swaying rhythmically with perfect poise. The second line of the song is shared by both. The tempo increases as the dance proceeds. The other girl do not leave their places but keep on singing the song and clapping their hands against each other. There is a short pause before a new line of the song is started.
This dance resembles the well-known Punjabi Gidda and is thus named Haryanic Gidda. It is common in all parts of the state.
Ghumar Dance
Some dancers receive their inspiration from religion. The gods and the elements are invoked to shower their blessing on the
labors of a community. Ghumar is a Rajasthani dance but it is popular in Laharu, Dadri and some parts of the Hissar and Bhiwani, bordering Rajasthan. The dance is performed by women devotees on their way to the temple. Young women and girls carrying brass plates of offerings in their hands go to the temple singing devotional songs. The dance is performed on Diwali, the festival of lights and Holi, the festivals of spring or on the occasion of the local ceremony of Gangor
Puja.
Brass plates in their hands, girls make a circle and start singing. The Musicians strike a chord and as soon as the tune begins to take shape and gain momentum, the dancers put their offerings aside forming a large circle and dances gracefully with uplifted arms to the simplest beats. Slowly the dance gather momentum, the swaying bodies become frantic, taking the dance to its climax.
Khoria Dance
This dance is a variety of Jhumar dance. It is performed by woman only. It is popular in the central areas of Haryana. It is connected with the daily life of the people and with the most important events like harvest. Singing a folk song, the girls enter dancing place and make a ring. The simple movements acquire form and
color with the swirling off their full-gold-work skirts and colored chundries and the gleam and jingle of heavy rustic jewellery. The graceful steps give place to faster tempo until two or three pairs of the girls break from the ring into the centre with crossed arms joined together swirling on the axis of their feet. The girls in the ring clap to the beat of the drum. In final stage the dance is around the circumference.
Holi Dance
This exuberant dance is connected with the seasonal festival of spring. When the rural community rejoices and relaxes after the completion of their agricultural operations. It is performed in various formations to the accompaniment of drums and pipes. Both men and women participate in this dance. Percussion instruments like dhol, jhajh, chimta, khartal and thalis and anklets on the feet of the dancers produce the rhythm. Abir, gulal and
colored water is sprinkled on each other by the dancers. The dance is accompanied by the Chaupies and Chaumbaulas which sustain performance for hours. Women folk use twisted ropes, Kolars to mock-beat their counterparts. Men in a mood of frivolity wear women's costumes and exhibit their talent in female steps. The men folk not even a guest is spared. The dance is popular in Faridabad, Pulwal and Ballabhgarh. It is also performed in other areas.
Gangor-Puja Dance
This dance is performed in villages bordering on Rajasthan. It is ceremonial dance of woman in connection with puja ceremony of Iswar and Gangor (Lord Shiva and Pravati) dressed in
colorful costumes and Jewellery, with brass jars on their head, the woman move in circle, the movements and the pattern of the dance changing according to the music. The smiles of the dancers are important element in the performance. It is devotional dance to invoke the blessings of the gods for good harvest and is usually performed in the months of palghun and Chait. Sometimes the dance takes the form of a Kirtan, associated with the love of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The girls enter the circle one by one, dancing and singing devotional songs. The dance continues for hours.
Sapela Dance
Women often perform the Sapela dance in which one acts the role of the village belle while the other acts as the snake charmer.
FOLK MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
There is a great variety of musical instruments which are an essential accompaniment of folk music. Most of these are common to the whole of Northern India. Broadly these fall into three categories: stringed, wind and percussion instruments.
Iktara:
This is a one stringed instrument which is played with the fingers. It is made from a piece of bamboo about a metre long with a large gourd attached to one end. The other end of the stick is inserted in to the hollow of the gourd resonator which is covered with hide. Before singing, the singer hums gently feeling for the right pitch. The sound of the string keeps the drone of his basic note. This instrument is generally used by
Jogis.
Dotara:
This is like a two stringed Iktara and serves the same purpose.
Sarangi:
This is a bow instrument because it is played with a bow, which is made of long strand or strands and takes a prominent place as accompaniment to the main singer. It is about 60 cm long made by hollowing out a single block of wood. For tuning, four pegs are fixed in it, to set the strings according to the pitches of twelve-semi-tones. Some Sarangis have thirty-five to forty sympathetic strings running under the four main strings. It has been a folk instrument used by the common people, particularly the Bards for their simple music. In the seventeenth century, the Sarangi was considered suitable accompaniment to the new style of classical music. In Haryana, this instrument is seen with some wandering Bards as an accompaniment to singing their folk songs. It is also used during a Swang performance.
Been:
This is mostly used by snake charmers. Two small bamboo pipes are fixed in a hollow gourd. One keeps the drone of the basic note, producing a monotone and other one is used for producing tunes by the performer. The player blows into the gourd and his fingers move smoothly on the finger-holes of this double-reed instrument. It is used in many folk dance performances.
Bansari (flute):
This is one of the earliest wind instrument called by many other popular names like veena and murali. Seven round holes are bored in a hollow piece of bamboo stick. There are several verities of this instrument. Some are held straight away from the face while others are held transversely, parallel to the eye-brows as it was used by Lord Krishna.
Shehnai:
This is a common instrument, seen on occasions of marriage. This is an 'open-air' instrument like Bansari. The modern experts have brought to this instrument a fluidity comparable to that of a stringed instrument.
Shankh:
This is the most ancient wind instrument known to man. In India it is considered very sacred. It is being regarded as one of the attributes of Lord Vishnu. Before using, the Shankh is drilled in such a way as to produce a hole at the base taking care that the natural hole is not disturbed. The instrument is often used in temples and sacred shrines. It produces only a drone. In ancient times, the Shankh was used on the battle field. The Shankh used by Lord Krishna was called Panchajanya. The instrument can be used to produce peculiar rhythmical effects.
Harmonium: Originally it does not belong to India but the Harmonium is now commonly seen at all cultural performances. It is used by Swangis and Bhajmis in Haryana as an accompanying instrument.
Rhythm comes naturally to man since everything in creation moves to it. Percussion instrument keep the rhythm of a dancer, singer or an instrumental player intact.
Dhol: This is a two-sided drum, played by two small wooden sticks. A barrel-shaped wooden drum is covered with skin on both sides. There are numerous varieties of this instrument. It is used on the occasions of marriage, festivals wrestling matches and dance-performances.
Dholak: This is a smaller version of Dhol, mostly used by the Ahirs of Gurgaon district.
Daph: This is a one sided drum and serves as accompaniment of dances particularly Dhamal dance which is popular in Mahedargarh district. It is very simple in construction consisting of an open circular frame with only one side covered with skin. It can be played either by hands or with small sticks. It is also used on festive occasions.
Khanjari: This is a small variety of Daph with the only difference that the Ghungrus (bells) are fixed around it. It is generally used in a solo dance performance.
Damru: This is a very small drum, shaped like an hourglass. It is an attribute to Lord Shiva who is said to have played it during his Tandava Nritya. It is used as an accompaniment for devotional and ritualistic folk music especially in Gugga dance. It is also associated with Magic shows by Jugglers.
Deru: It is a bigger version of Damru but serves the same purpose.
Nagara
(Naqqara): This is also a side drum but heavy and large in size and rests on the ground while playing. Its body is made of copper. It is played with two large sticks. It is a relic of feudal times when state announcements were made with the beat of the
Nagara.
Taasha: This is a one sided earthen instrument played by two small sticks. It is used on ceremonial occasions and some times also on the occasion of dance performances.
Jhil: This is a smaller version of Nagara and is played with small sticks. It is also played on the left side of the Nagara. It is really a part of Nagara like a pair of Tabla.
Ghara: This earthen pitcher is the cheapest instrument played on different occasions to keep only the rhythm.
Cymbals: These are two big round pieces of bronze which produce metallic sound during a dance and other occasions.
Bells: These are used generally in temples during aaratis, kirtans and other devotional performances.
Ghungrus: These are worn by dancers around his or her ankles to give force and effect to the dance. It also helps in producing the rhythm.
Khartal: These are small Ghungrus fixed on two small wooden pieces and are struck together to keep the rhythm according to the tempo of other instruments.
Manjira: This is a pair of metallic cymbals used for producing rhythm. It produces a pleasant sound and is used mostly as accompaniment to devotional music and more frequently during dance performances. It is also used by Jogis of 'Naath Parampara' during their prayers.
FOLK MUSIC
Haryana has a rich tradition of folk music. Even villages have been named after classical ragas. In Dadri tehsil, several villages have names related to well known ragas. These are Nandyam, Sarangpur, Bilawala, Brindabana, Todi, Asaveri, Jaishri, Malakoshna, Hindola, Bhairavi, Gopi Kalyana etc. Similarly in Jind district there are Jai Jai Vanti, Malavi etc.
The folk music of Haryana generally falls in to two categories
(1) Classical form: The group song that is closely linked with the classical form of singing comes under this category. The themes of such songs are usually mythological. Allah, Jaimalphalla, Barahmas, some Teej songs, Phag and Holi songs belong to this group.
(2) Country side music: This group includes legendary tales, such as Purana-Bhagata, ceremonial songs, seasonal songs, ballads etc. Its music survives in cross-cultural traits of social rapport. In such songs Jai Jai Vanti, Pahari, Bhairavi, Kafi, Jhinjhoti and Bhairav ragas are used. Raga Pilu is also used in some songs sung by the Ahirs, using a scale with twelve semi tones. The main credit for popularizing folk music in Haryana goes to Jogis, Bhats and Saangis. The Jogis use Sarangi as an accompaniment to their songs. They are proficient in using Allah, Jaimal-phatta and other heroic ballads with their rich melodies and resonant-appealing voice.
FOLK THEATRE
The tradition of folk theatre in Haryana is very old. Plays, to begin with were staged in the open with audience sitting around. A combination of music, dance, poetry and speech was called
Natya. In Hindu mythology, the gods themselves figure as supreme dancers. Drama was created not merely for pleasure but for conveying moral truths. The first Sanskrit Drama emerged from the festival of Indra's Banner, which celebrated the triumph of the gods over the demons.
Folk theatre is divided into two categories
(1) Temple based religious theatre with Indian Epics and Puranas being the source material for characters.
(2) Community-based secular theatre, of minor forms and lighter variety.
In reality several themes are mixed together - mythological love, popular history and religious themes, all with overtones of secular values.
Haryana Swang follows in the old tradition, being the most popular variety of performance based on the 'open stage' technique. It is an all male cultural troupe of twenty to thirty artistes, including the director, producer musicians and actors. The female roles are also played by males, but female troupes are not altogether unknown. Towards the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the present, all women Swang troupes performed in western Uttar Pradesh and the adjoining
'Khadar 'area of Haryana.
The origin of Swang is traced to one Kishan Lala
Bhat, who laid the foundation of the present style of folk theatre. In Haryana the most celebrated name is that of Dip Chand Bahman of village Shiri Khunda in
Sonepat. He was popularly known as Shaskespeare or Kalidas of Haryana.
The stage of Swang does not require the elaborate arrangements of the modern dramatic performances. There are no curtains or a green-room for make-up. There is only a wooden plat form about three and a half metres long and of the same breadth. The rest is all a display of skill and stamina of the artistes who perform as long as six hours. They do not use loudspeakers.
An hour before the show, the musicians of the orchestra begin to create the proper atmosphere. The artistes sing some religious or other songs connected with the play. Then the Guru appears ands the artists touch the feet to evoke his blessings. The play opens with a song bhait in praise of the Goddess of knowledge
(Bhawani).
With a brief introduction about the play, the performance starts. The Haryan Swang has enriched it self by borrowing and adopting a variety of themes, it embraces romances like Sorath, Nihalde, Padmawat, Nautanki etc. There are historical and semi-historical themes based on Epics, such as Raja Rissalu, Kichak Badh, Draupadi Chirharan, Amar Sing Rathor, Sarwar Neer, Jaswant Singh etc. Themes of old literature, such as Gopi Chand Bhartari Hari, Harischander, Raja Bhoj etc are also adopted. Mythological themes like Prahlad Bhagat and Punjabi romances like Pooran Bhagat, Heer Ranjha etc have become a part of the vast and varied themes on which the Haryanvi rural theatre operates.
FAIRS
Gopal-Mochan Fair
In Ambala, the most famous fair is held at Gopal-Mochan near Bilaspur in Jagadhari tehsil. There is a sacred tank of the same name in the place. The legend is that once Lord Shiva while rescuing Saraswati, who was being pursued by Brahma, struck off the latter's head. A lock of hair was left in Shiva's hand and his body was blackened. For a long time Shiva was unable to cleanse himself. One night, when he was resting at a cow shed he overheard the conversation between a cow and her calf. The calf said he was going to kill his master, a Brahmin, to avoid being castrated. The cow tried to dissuade the calf from the sin, but the calf said, it knew of a tank where it could cleanse itself from the sin of killing a Brahmin. Shiva followed the calf the next day and saw it kill its master. The bodies of the cow and the calf where then blackened until they cleansed themselves by bathing in Gopal Mochan tank. Shiva followed their example and was like wise cleansed. Since then the water of Gopal-Mochan have retained their virtue. It is considered by many to be more efficacious than the waters of the Ganges at Hardwar. The Rin Mochan is another water tank situated close to the Gopal-Mochan. A big fair is held in the village in the month of Kartik.
Masani Fair
Haryana's most famous fair is held in honor of the goddess of small-pox, Masani whose temple is in Gurgaon village. There is a legend about this temple.
There was a shrine, sacred to the goddess Devi, locally known as Masani at the village of Kesopur in the Delhi district. Some two hundred and fifty years ago according to tradition, the Goddess appeared in a dream to one Singha, a Jat of some influence and a resident at the village of Gurgaon. The Devi communicated to Singha that she wished to leave Kesopur and directed him to construct a shrine for her in his village. At the same time, she
authorized the fortunate Singha to appropriate all the offerings at her shrine. The orders of the goddess were promptly carried out. The shrine was built and flourished, its fame spreading far and wide.
A visit to the shrine is an antidote for small-pox and women from great distances flock to it with their children to obtain this benefit. The greatest crowd is in April-May but all the year around steady stream of people flows, Monday being the favourite day. Singha and his heirs enjoyed the offerings for two hundred years.
Basdoda Fair
At the village of Basdoda in Rewari tehsil there is an ancient temple of Bhaironji. A fair is held on Chatsudi 11th, and the two following days. For this, people come from as far as Delhi and Agra.
Melas
Mela Devi is held at Beri in Jhajjar of Rohtak district, twice a year. According to a Legend, the image of goddess Bhumeshwari Devi was brought from the hills and installed at Beri. Newly married couples blessed with a son come here to pay homage. Mela Baba Mast Nath is held in February-march each year at the Samadhi of the saint at Bohar near Rohtak. It is also held at Khera Sadh and the people worship both at the Samadhi and the temple. Sat kumbh fair is a religious celebration and is held at Kheri Gujar (Sonepat) twice a year.
At the village of Khori-Shah-Choka in the Firozpur-Jherka tehsil of the Gurgaon. Meos gather in large numbers on the 5th to 7th Jama-di-Ul-awal, the object of their pilgrimage being the tomb of Saint Shah Choka.
Hindus also attend the Mela. This fair used to be a great occasion for elopements.
It is being held a sufficient answer from a man who left the fair with another Meo's wife to say that Shah Choka had given her to him.
Surajkund is a village which lies 20 Kms from Delhi between the villages of Baharpur and Lakkarpur.
It is famous for the crafts fair held between the 1st and 15th February every year. The mela brings together crafts persons from all over India like potters, embroiderers, weavers, wood carvers, metal workers, stone smiths, painters etc. For entertainment there will be performances by folk dancers, musicians, acrobats and magicians.
FESTIVALS
Diwali
In Haryana Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It comes in the middle of the month of Karthik. First comes the little Diwali on which rice and sugar put in vessels, with a paisa placed on the top, are given away to Brahmins and girls. The deceased ancestors are said to visit the house of their families on that day, and it is in their name that the ceremony is performed. Houses are whitewashed and cleaned. On the next day, or Govardhan, Diwali lamps are lighted in the evening and sweets distributed. On the following day all the sweepings are thrown out on to the refused dumps outside the village. The old lamps are also thrown their and new ones placed in the house. The rich and trading classes specially consider Diwali as their own festival. On this occasion they perform pujas, which are considered auspicious for their profession.
Diwali is also celebrated by gambling in various ways throughout the night accompanied by merry making. For children Diwali provides an occasion for fire works. More about Diwali
Dussera
Dussera is probably the chief Hindu festival, being associated with the great Epic Ramayana and its renowned hero, Rama. The celebrations last nearly a month. First come the Shradas, early in September and lasts over a fortnight. The Brahmins are fed on these days in memory of the deceased elders of the family. The Shradas are followed by Nauratas, which as the name implies are nine in number. Oats sown in the field or deposited in big utensils, are watered on each of these days. On the Dussera day, pudding (halwa) is eaten with rice and cured. The Brahmins are also fed. All the members of the family except woman put stalks of green oats on their head. Ram Leela is enacted in various places. On the last day the effigies of the demon king Ravana and his supporters are burned, which forms the concluding event. More about Dussera
Holi
Holi is celebrated with considerable zest, particularly in the area bordering Uttar Pradesh. Four days before the festival, married women play Holi with their men folk by throwing
colored water on them. The day following Holi, Dhulandi (Phag), men folk throw water on women who retaliate by a mock beating with sticks or kolras (twisted cloth strips). The men act as if they are powerless and they pretended attempts at shielding themselves lead to much fun and amusement.
Gugga Naumi
This is a religious festival, celebrated all over Haryana. It is connected with snake-worship and observed in August-September. A number of legends have clustered around Gugga Pir or Zahir Pir (the saint). He is also referred to as Baggar wala because of his grave near Dadrewa near Ganga nagar, a tract over which he is said to have ruled. He was reputed to have the power of curing people of snake-bite. Monday is his day, the date being 9th. The shrine is distinguished by its square shape with minarets and domed roof. It is called 'Mari'.
Bathing at Sohna
Sohna is famous for its hot springs, which have medicinal qualities, several thousand people assemble at Sohna on Somwati Amawas to bathe in sulphur springs. The crowd would be small if the festival happens to fall during harvest-time.
Other festivals are Ram Naumi, Solono (Raksha Bandhan) and Bhai Duj.
Reference:
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