Chheihlam

The dance form of Chheihlam is performed generally in the evening over a round of rice beer. The dance usually reflects the spirit of joy and excitement of the people of Mizoram. The lyrics are usually in the form of triplets. The lyrics are spontaneous expressions of the composers that are created on-the-spot. The compositions normally narrate the heroic deeds and adventures. The songs also praise the honorary guests who are present there. The dancers wear traditional dresses while performing the dance.

Chheihlam is performed on the tunes of a song which is called Chheih Hla. The song is accompanied by traditional musical instruments like drum or bamboo tubes. The dancers even clap hands which add to the rhythm and music of the dance. Both men and women dancers perform this dance.

The dancers scrunch on the floor in the form of a circle while in the middle of the circle a dancer stands who recites the song. The dance includes various movements of the legs and the whole body. The rhythm and the tempo of the dance is such that even the people around are influenced to join the dance.

One can try this dance very easily as it has no fixed choreography. Chheihlam dance form is practiced especially during the evenings, when the whole day's work is completed. The dancer who is in the middle initiates the dance with different types of jerking movements of the leg and various other gentle movements of the hands and the body.