Kachchhi Ghodi dance

Kachchhi Ghodi Dance

Kachchhi Ghodi Dance

A Kachhi Ghodi dancer in a hobby horse costume
Genre Rajasthani folk dance
Origin Shekhawati, India

Kachchhi Ghodi dance (Hindi: कच्छी घोड़ी नृत्य), also spelled as Kachhi Ghodi and Kachhi Gori, is an Indian folk dance that originates from the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. It has since been adopted and performed throughout the rest of the country. Dancers wear novelty horse costumes and participate in mock fights while a singer narrates folk tales about local bandits. It is commonly performed during wedding ceremonies to welcome and entertain the bridegroom’s party, and during other social settings. It is also performed as a profession by some.

Etymology

In Hindi, Kachchi has many possible meanings, two of which are: diaper, and, of or belonging to the Kutch region,[1] while Ghodi means mare.[2] Together, Kachchhi Ghodi refers to the dummy horse costume worn around the waist of the dancer.

Description

Kachchhi Ghodi includes a combined performance by dancers, singers and instrumentalists. In Rajasthan, the dance is performed by men dressed in a kurta and a turban, along with a fake horse costume.[3] The shell of the costume is constructed out of a papier-mâché molded to resemble a horse and supported by a bamboo frame.[4] It is then covered with bright colored fabric elaborately designed with mirror-work embroidery known as Shisha. The dummy horse does not have legs. Instead, fabric is draped around the dancer's waist covering the entire length of his legs. Around the ankles, the dancers wear musical bells known as ghungroo, similar to those worn by Indian classical dancers.

When performed as a group dance, people stand on opposite sides with swords in their hands and run back and forth quickly, which when viewed from above resembles the opening and closing of flowers. The dancers operate on the rhythm of flute music and the beats of dhol drums. Singers narrate the mock fights with stories of the exploits of Bhanwariya bandits, the Rajasthani equivalent of Robin Hood.[5]

Origin

The royal courts of Rajasthan is the origin of this dance.

This dance is related to the story of highway robbers who lived in the 17th century in the Shekhawati region and would rob from of the rich to give to the poor.

Arts of Rajasthan is mostly related from the tribes of Rajasthan and are reflective of the socio historical scenario peculiar to the time or race they depict. Horses have always been a very important part of warfare and transportation in Rajasthan. The legend of the valiant Rana Pratap Singh (The first Indian freedom fighter) goes untold without the mention of his loyal horse - Chetek. They were the symbol of royal power; horses were also used by the bandits and highwaymen, who found it useful to stop people traveling on elephants of bullock carts with their horses.

It is said that during the reign of two enemy the Mughals and the Marathas an interesting story about the dance. Mughal once came for horse riding, and stayed in a village in the villages of the Marathas. When they went to sleep, the Marathas came and stole horses. Later in the war, these horses found by Pathans.

Every form of folk art is supported by a legend or a tradition. Kachhi Ghodi also traces its origin from many legends. The most famous takes its origin to the folk-deity Ramdev Pir of Rajasthan. He was a Rajput ruler of the 14th century, said to have miraculous powers who devoted his life for the upliftment of downtrodden and poor people of the society, and revivalism of Hinduism which were marginalised by invaders. He is worshiped today by many social groups of India.

Geography

A group of Poikkal kuthirai aattam (false-leg horse dance) performers from Ramavaram, Tamil Nadu.

The dance originated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan.[6] It is prevalent in the Kamdholi, Sarghara, Bhambi and Bhavi communities. It is also performed by the same name in other parts of India, including Maharashtra[7] and Gujarat.[8]

In the state of Tamil Nadu, Poikkal kuthirai aattam (Tamil: பொய்க்கால் குதிரை ஆட்டம், which stands for false-leg horse dance) is a folk dance similar to Kachchhi Ghodi. The differences lie in the props used (it is performed with wooden legs meant to resemble the sounds made by the hooves of a horse), and the annual timing (during festivals of the Amman Temple in Thanjavur).[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kachchhi meaning in English". HinKhoj InfoLabs LLP. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Ghodi - Meaning in English". Shabdkosh.com. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Kachhi Ghodi Dance". Ananta Group Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  4. ↑ Gupta, Dr. Mohan Lal. राजस्थान की पर्यावरणीय संस्कृति: Eco-Culture of Rajasthan. Shubhda Prakashan. p. 274.
  5. ↑ "Kacchi Ghodi Dance (performed by men on dummy horses)". Padharo Rajasthan. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "Kachhi Ghodi Dance". Rajasthan Tourism Guide. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Behrawala, Krutika (6 September 2014). "A royal visarjan for Siddhivinayak Ganpati in Mumbai". Times of India. Times News Network (TNN). Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Ramakrishnan, Swetha; Pundir, Pallavi (17 May 2014). "Delhi’s Gujaratis rejoice: Modi makes dreams happen". The Indian Express. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  9. ↑ Mills, Margaret H.; Claus, Peter J.; Diamond, Sarah (2003). South Asian folklore: an encyclopedia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. New York: Routledge. p. 592. ISBN 0-415-93919-4.

External links

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