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 Brita dance is one of the most important traditional folk dances. Brita is basically an invocational dance performed by those women of Bengal who are unable to give birth to children. This is a way of offering worship in thankfulness after their wishes are fulfilled.
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Chhau, India's only masked dance, is centered around places like Purulia (West Bengal), Saraikela (Bihar) and Mayurbhanj (Orissa). It is one of the most vibrant and pulsating folk art forms.
Most of the dances revolve around the act of defeating an enemy or opponent in a battle or in a game between good and evil. The themes of these heroic dances are drawn from 'Mahisasur Badh', 'Mahirabon Badh' and 'Abhimanyu Badh'- mainly based on the two great epics- the Ramayana & the Mahabharata. The theatricality of the dance becomes more intense with the quality of earthiness in the masks of Purulia Chhau. |
Chhau |
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Tusu is a folk dance involving both men and women. This tribal dance is performed during the harvest festivals in Purulia and Medinipur.
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The santhals, especially the women-folk are worshippers of nature, whom they think to be of a benevolent spirit. Besides nature, they are also great worshippers of banadevis.
To mark the festive occasions of worship of nature as well as banadevis, the entire community performs different kinds of dances which turn out to be vibrant along with the sweet melody of their songs. The songs and the dances are performed with some supporting musical instruments like Dhamsa (percussions), Madal, Singa (curved horn for blowing) etc. These dances are popularly known as Santhal Dances. |
Santhal |
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Gambhira, is a special type of folk dance popular in North Bengal, especially in Malda district. It is normally a solo mask dance. At times it is performed in duo or in group. The characters of the dance represent Puranic deities like Shiva, Parvati, Kali, etc. A big drum known as ‘dhak’ serves as a supporting instrument.
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