I really enjoyed writing this page. Probably it has something to do with my personal
interest in art and culture. My mother has provided information on folk dances. Children games etc I collected during my visit to paternal and maternal villages.
Culturally Gwalior is the confluence of two rich cultures Bundeli and Braj. Bundelkhand covers Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Sagar, Shivpuri, Guna, Sheopur and adjoining areas.
Tansen Festival
Every year a national level music festival is organised in November/December near the tomb of Mian Tansen, one of
the 'Nine Jewels' of Emperor Akbar's court. Musicians and singers from all over India come here to perform in the
festival.
Folk Dances
Ahiri Dance
This dance is related to people who have traditionally been in the business
of cattle herding. In different parts of the state these people are known
by different castes such as Ahir, Baredi, Gwal, Rawat, Raut, Gwala etc.
These people believe that they are the descendents of Lord Krishna. Since
this site is about Gwalior, here I am giving description of Baredi or Yadav
dance of Bundelkhand only. If you wish to know more about dances in other
parts of the state you are most welcome to contact me.
Baredi or Yadav dance of Bundelkhand
This dance has been associated with the biggest Hindu festival "Diwali".
On the night of Diwali people worship Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth
(after all no body can live without money), and cattle. Next day on the
occasion of "Padva" or "Parva" cattle are sent to jungles or ranches after
being decorated with flowers and garlands. They are given special dishes as
food. Yadav dance is performed on the same occasion.
Dancers dance in a circular path while singing songs. Sometimes they sit or
lie down on earth and suddenly they restart their dance. Rhythm of the song
is very low in starting and increases with time. Music instruments are
started only when two lines of the song are finished. Primarily these
are two line couplets. Sometimes these are in form of questions and answers.
This dance continues till Kartik Purnima.
Dress
Dancers, instrument beaters and their associates wear a clean turban on head. Some people like to put on Dhoti up to knees (long cloth wore by men enwrapping their waist). Some people specially dancers wear colorful shorts. Dancers also keep bunch of peacock feathers.
Music Instruments
Mradang, Dholak, Ramtula, Dhapli, Manzira, Jhanz etc. are used in this dance.
Saharia Dances
Saharias are tribal people who live in jungles. They work in farms and also
collect medicinal plants from jungles. There are several dances of Saharias.
Some of the important ones are:
Lur Dance, Lanhgi Dance, Dul-Dul Ghodi Dance, Raya Dance, Ada-Khada Dance.
Lur dance of Saharias
This dance is performed on the occasion of marriage starting from the day of
ritual of "Haldi" (In this ritual whole body is pasted with turmeric and after
sometime it is removed so the body is cleaned) till the arrival of Barat
(Bridegroom comes to the house of the bride with his relatives and friends
for marriage ceremony).
Lanhgi dance of Saharias
This dance is also known as Danda(baton) dance because Saharias dance with
small batons in their hands with which they strike at each other and perform
Lanhgi dance. Only men are allowed in it. This dance is performed on the
occasion of Bhujarias, Teja ji puja and Aekadashi etc.
Dul-Dul Ghori dance
This dance is performed on the occasion of marriage by males. In this dance
a hollow case of ghori (mare) is prepared of bamboo sticks.
The dancer stands in the hollow place and dances.(depicts various movements
of mare.) There is also a joker in women clothing. People sing folk songs
during the dance.
Folk Poets
Jagnik
Jagnik was a folk poet of 11th-12th century.
At that time some poets used to write biographies of folk warriors.
These biographies were called "Raso". Jagnik wrote "Parmal raso" or
"Alha khan" Which contains the description of 52 battles fought by
Bundeli war heroes Alha and Oodal. The style of singing alha khand
has a unique distinction and it is very popular in the region.
Dholak, timaki, jhinka, and majira are its musical instruments.
People who sing alha are called "Alhet".
Lalloo vajpayi is a very famous alhet.
Ghag
Ghag was a folk poet of Mughal period.
His couplets are full of humor and normally have a message for common men.
One of his poem is:
Ghar ghod paidal chale
Teer chalave been
Thati dhare damade ghar
Jag mai bhakua teen
In this poem Ghag is saying there are three types of fools in this world.
First who would walk on foot even if they have a horse i.e. not using the resources.
Second who would use Been (a sort of music instrument) in lieu of arrow i.e. doing wrong work.
Third who would keep their savings in the house of a son-in-law because son in laws demand dowry in India.
Children Games
Cheel Pata Pat Ghaghar Gholi
This is a game of girls. This game is particularly played in moonlight.
In this game girls sit in courtyard in such a way that their ankles and the
feet meet together. In this position they sing "cheel pata pat ghaghar gholi"
and clap once then they move a bit aside. Suddenly a girl say "furra" and
all the girls climb to the courtyard wall the girl who does this in the last
has to give "dav". Giving "dav" means the girl has to touch some other girl.
Other girls try to run away from that girl. This game continues till that
girl touches some other girl.
Aati Pati
This is a game of boys. All the boys stand in a circular path and choose a leader of the
group. The leader of the group puts his hand on the chest of the boys one by one while saying
" Aati-pati mar gadha ki chhati, Tera ladka mera nati, Ja le aa babul ki pati". On whomsoever this line
end, needs to bring a leaf of Babul (Acacia Arabica). In the mean time rest of the boys hide themselves. When the boy returns
with a leaf, he needs to find a boy. If he does then the boy who got discovered will go to bring new leaf and so on.
