Jhumar

An ancient dance type of Bengal, Jhumar is performed between the months of March to April which is collectively known as chaitra in Bengali. When the male groups enact Jhumar then their movements are accompanied by drums. While the females perform Jhumar by dancing and singing during paddy sowing periods.

Known as one of the pure forms of harvest celebration, Jhumar in Bengal also possesses beautiful connotations of Lord Krishna and Radha’s eternal love for each other. The very essence of this adoration of two mythical figures is represented through the transplantation of paddy in the agricultural lands of Bengal.

The dance form remains as Jhumar at the time it is performed by the males of Bengal. However, the version in which the females participate is called by the name of Ashariya Jhumar. One interesting fact about Jhumar is that the intrinsic theme of the dance remains common irrespective of the gender of the dancers.

Jhumar of Bengal boasts of a vibrant historical past. During the ancient periods of Bengal, the rural corners of the state were specially adorned with diverse dance and musical ecstasies. It is believed that the inhabitants of the rural Bengal were much defter as dance performers as they were the very figures who have discovered the various dancing nuances.

Jhumar dance was one of the popular forms of performing arts even in the earliest times of Bengal. The then Jhumar dancers were known to have displayed an enigmatic aura through various movements. The accompanying cymbals were also played to synchronize with the stepping of the performers.

Today, Jhumar has transformed into a much popular dance type of Bengal.