Fairs and festivals like Navratri, Kawant fair, Chitra Vichitra fair, Dangs Durbar, Bhavnath, Tarnetar and the Kutch utsav give scope to showcase Gujarat music and dance.
Gujarat has contributed several ragas to classical music, marked by territorial names like Bilaval, Sorathi, Khambavati, Ahiri and Lati. Lullaby, Nupital, Rannade songs are varieties of folk songs. Marsias are sung at death. The Vaishnava cult has a particular variety of temple music.
Besides, Gujarat has unique wind instruments like Turi, Bungal, Pava, String type Ravan Hattho, Ektaro, Jantar and percussion instruments like Manjira, Zanz pot drum, etc.
Gujarat music and dance is distinguished by several folk dance forms like:
- Garba
- Garbi
- Rasaka
- Tippani
- Padhar-Nritya
- Dangi-Nritya
Raas- Men and women dance in circles, accompanied by flutes and cymbals to clapping or striking of sticks. Participants range from 8-64 couples, singing in chorus.
Hallisaka- A circular group dance with clapping and singing. A young man (Krishna) stands amidst several girls. Feet movements are in measured steps.
Dangi- Men and women join hands forming a chain making rapid serpentine movements, comprising 27 steps or chalas.
Garba - A circular dance performed by ladies with pots on their heads swaying in circles, keeping time by clapping or snapping fingers, accompanied by Dhol (drum) and Nal. Garba songs usually eulogize the Mother Goddess Amba and invoke her blessings.
Tippani - Women laborers strike the floor with long sticks called Tippani.
Gujarat music and dance is richly steeped in tradition.
Last Updated on : 30 September 2011
