Chheih Lam

Last updated
Chheih Lam
Chheihlam msachapcharkut2023.png
Chheih Lam performed in Indianapolis during Chapchar Kut
Etymology"Dance to the exclamation of joy"
Genre Folk dance
Origin Lushai Hills, British Raj. (present-day Mizoram, India)

Chheih Lam is a Mizo traditional dance originating from the Indian state of Mizoram during the early 1900s. [1] It represents the spirits of happiness and joy, [2] traditionally performed during a cool evening after the day's work was over with a round of rice beer. [3] It is now a stage dance typically performed during Chapchar Kut.

Contents

History

Chheih Lam originated from the early 1900s and is derived from lines of the song of Puma Zai, a traditional hymn that accompanies Tlang Lam, another Mizo traditional dance. [4]

Performance

Traditionally

The dance is typically performed as people sit in a circular formation while the sitters recite chheih songs with the main dancer move with limbs close to the body and crouching low to the ground. As the tempo rose and the excitement increases, people sitting on the floor leave their seats and join the dancer. [5] Thus, this dance is also nicknamed as the "Mizo traditional freestyle."

Chheih songs are not lengthy and comprises three stanzas with repetitive words. [6] The dance is accompanied by the beats of traditional Mizo instruments such as khuang (drum), dar (gong), and rawchhem (bamboo tubes). The drummer would exclaim upcoming lyrics in advance so that others could continue singing.

Present-day

The Chheih Lam performed today still preserves the act of gathering around in a circle and clapping. The dance itself is more complicated and fast-paced and resembles a romantic hornbill couple dance. The act of singing the chheih songs live are not preserved, rather they play prerecorded chheih songs which are usually sang by a choir. [7] Popular choir chheih songs today include Hrangchhawni Rechheih Zai by Ramhlun North Branch YMA Choir, and Ngopa Thlurhnih Zai by Ngopa Cultural Club choir.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mizoram</span> State in northeastern India

Mizoram is a state in northeast India, with Aizawl as its seat of government and capital city. The name of the state is derived from "Mizo", the endonym of the native inhabitants, and "Ram", which in the Mizo language means "land." Thus "Mizo-ram" means "land of the Mizos". Within India's northeast region, it is the southernmost landlocked state, sharing borders with three of the Seven Sister States, namely Tripura, Assam and Manipur. The state also shares a 722-kilometre (449 mi) border with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mizo music</span>

Mizoram is a region in India. Its folk music consists of vocals (singing) accompanied by traditional drums, gong and other native percussion instruments. There is also a long history of flute-playing which is now defunct. The drums are made from a hollow tree trunk with membrane made from cow hide and the gongs, made of brass, are very similar to those found in Myanmar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mizo people</span> Ethnic group native to northeastern India

The Mizo people, historically recorded as the Lushais, are an ethnic group native to the state of Mizoram in India and neighbouring states of Northeast India. They speak the Tibeto-Burman language of Mizo, the official language and lingua franca of Mizoram. The state is the second most literate state in India, at more than a rate 90%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaapse Klopse</span> Annual festival in Cape Town, South Africa

The Kaapse Klopse, formerly known as the Coon Carnival and officially called Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, is a Cape coloured minstrel festival that takes place annually on 2 January in Cape Town, South Africa. It is also referred to as Tweede Nuwe jaar. As many as 13,000 minstrels take to the streets garbed in bright colours, either carrying colourful umbrellas or playing an array of musical instruments. The minstrels are self-organised into klopse. The custom has been preserved since the mid-19th century.

Inbuan is a form of wrestling native to the people of Mizoram in India. Inbuan is said to have originated in the village of Dungtlang in 1750. It was recognized as a sport after the Mizo people migrated from Burma to the Lushai Hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jampui Hills</span>

Jampui Hills is a part of the Mizo hills range located in the North Tripura district in the north eastern part of the Indian state of Tripura. The average altitude of the hill range is approximately 1000 metres above sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheraw (dance)</span> Mizo traditional bamboo dance from Mizoram, India

Cheraw dance is a traditional bamboo dance performed by the Mizo people of Mizoram, India, consisting of mostly six to eight people holding pairs of bamboo staves on another horizontally placed bamboo on the ground. The male performers then clap the bamboos rhythmically while groups of female dancers dance in intricate steps between the beating bamboo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hmuifang</span> Mountain in India

Hmuifang is a tourist spot about 50 km from Aizawl, Mizoram, India. With an elevation of 1,619 metres, the mountain is covered with forest reserves since all the Mizo Chief's time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chapchar Kut</span> Mizo festival

The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram, India.

Mizoram is one of the fastest growing economies among the states of India with a per capital income of Rs 308571. Mizoram had the second highest GSDP growth during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007–2012) in Northeast India at 11% exceeding the target of 7.8% which is also much higher than the national average of 7.9%. During the 10th Five Year Plan (2002–2007), the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) was expected to grow at around 5.3% but grew at 5.7%. The biggest contributors to GSDP growth are agriculture, public administration and construction work. Tertiary sector of service sector continued to have the contribution to the GSDP with its share hovering between 58% and 60% during the past half a decade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darlong people</span>

The Darlong people are an Kuki ethnic tribe living in the state of Tripura, India. The Darlong call themselves ‘hriam’ or ‘manmasi’. They constitute less than one percent of the population of Tripura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zawlbuk</span> Traditional bachelorsʼ quarters of the Mizo people

Zawlbûk was a traditional bachelorsʼ quarters of the Mizo people, predominantly of the Luseis living in Mizoram, India. It was prominently the largest house in the tribal village, and it was customary for every village to have it constructed in the middle of the habitation. Even though its basic use was as a dormitory for all unmarried men of the village, it was much more a social institution where education, entertainment, skill and personal developments, and security of the tribal community were (almost) entirely centred.

Nuchhungi Renthlei was an Indian poet, singer and school teacher, known for her poems written in Mizo language. She was the founder of Girls' Auxiliary, an organization for women's rights, which she founded in 1939. The Government of India awarded her the fourth highest civilian honour of Padma Shri in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laltluangliana Khiangte</span> Mizo academic, playwright and poet

Laltluangliana Khiangte is a Mizo academic, playwright and poet of Mizo literature. He was the principal of the Serampore College and a former professor at Pachhunga University College and the North Eastern Hill University. He is presently serving as the senior most professor at the Department of Mizo at Mizoram University. He is a recipient of the Pu Buanga Award, the highest literary award of the Mizo Academy of Letters. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2006, for his contributions to Indian literature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phullen</span> Place in Mizoram, India

Phullen is a town in Saitual district, in the Indian state of Mizoram. As per the Constitution of India and Panchayati Raj Act, Phullen is administrated by a Village Council who are the elected representatives of the village. It is located 125 kilometres (78 mi) east of the State Capital Aizawl, which is also the capital of Mizoram. Phullen is a Block headquarters of Phullen Block, which is bounded by Darlawn Block towards west, Ngopa Block towards East, Thingsulthliah Block

Mizo cuisine is the traditional cuisine of the Mizo people of Mizoram, India. Mizos are traditionally rice eaters.

The culture of the Mizo people has been heavily influenced by Christianity. Mizo culture is rooted in the arts and ways of life of Mizos in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aizawl</span> Capital city of the Indian state Mizoram

Aizawl is the capital of the state of Mizoram. It was officially established on 25 February 1890 as Fort Aijal during the British rule. With a population of 293,416, it is the largest city in the state. It is also the centre of administration containing all the important government offices, namely the state's Assembly House and civil secretariat.

Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte is a child singer and prodigy from Mizoram, India. She became a media sensation in late 2020 when her rendition of A. R. Rahman's song "Maa Tujhe Salaam" went viral. She became the fastest viewer-gaining artists on YouTube among the Mizo people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khual Lam</span> Mizo traditional dance performed for guests

Khual Lam is a Mizo traditional dance from the Indian state of Mizoram that is performed for guests. Nowadays, it is performed in every major Mizo cultural festival but still maintains the tradition of performing for guests such as the state Chief Minister, or government officials.

References

  1. "Dances: Mizoram".
  2. "Famous Folk Dances in States of India by Encyclopedia of India - Issuu". 28 March 2023.
  3. "Dances of Mizoram".
  4. "Dances: Mizoram".
  5. "A short note on the Major dance forms in Mizoram".
  6. "Mizoram".
  7. "Dance & Festivals". 27 December 2014.