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Art,
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Dance
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DANCE
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 colorful 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.
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 honor 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.
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: 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.
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 honor 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.
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: 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.
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: 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.
Reference:
http://www.sikkiminfo.net/
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