Kalbelia Dance

The kalbelia dance performed to celebrate any joyful moments in the community is an integral part of their culture.

The women of this community are expert in singing and dancing . In older times the women use to sing and dance only on speical occasions such as wedding festival etc. in their very own distinct style . As times changed these womr started perfoming stage show around the whole world and with it changed their dancing style as well as their attires. Their swaying dresses,made up of colourful beads give a distinct identity to the women of kalbeliya community , what makes this attractive dress more interesting is that it is made by the kalbeliya women them seleves. A very intersitng fact about them is that they never teach the folk arts to their children .They gain expertise in singing and dancing by watching the elders doing it at home.Any social and cultural occasion of jaisalmer is incomplete without the brilliant performance of the highly talented artists of the highly talented artists of the place jaisalmer boasts of serveral indigenous folk dance style that enthralls and enchants the spectators by its rhythmic steps and vibrant movements.

One of the porminent indigenous dance forms of the local indiengous inhabitants of Jaisalmer is the kalbeliya dance style perfomed primarily by the community of snake charmers of the place , the dancers move their body in flexible manner with accompaniment of traditionals musical instruments of drums.

Songs and dances are an expression of the Kalbelia communitys traditional way of life. Once professional snake handlers, Kalbelia today evoke their former occupation in music and dance that is evolving in new and creative ways. Today, women in flowing black skirts dance and swirl, replicating the movements of a serpent, while men accompany them on the khanjari percussion instrument and the poongi, a woodwind instrument traditionally played to capture snakes. The dancers wear traditional tattoo designs, jewellery and garments richly embroidered with small mirrors and silver thread. Kalbelia songs disseminate mythological knowledge through stories, while special traditional dances are performed during Holi, the festival of colours. The songs also demonstrate the poetic acumen of the Kalbelia, who are reputed to compose lyrics spontaneously and improvise songs during performances. Transmitted from generation to generation, the songs and dances form part of an oral tradition for which no texts or training manuals exist. Song and dance are a matter of pride for the Kalbelia community, and a marker of their identity at a time when their traditional travelling lifestyle and role in rural society are diminishing. They demonstrate their communitys attempt to revitalize its cultural heritage and adapt it to changing socioeconomic condition

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