Brita dance

Last updated

Brita dance or Vrita dance is a traditional folk dance from West Bengal, India. It is performed by the women in rural areas to ask the deity to bless them with children and to show gratitude for helping them recover from contagious diseases like chicken pox. The folk dance is performed on the temple premises, both before and after their wishes are fulfilled. [1] [2]

Brita dance is an important part of the rural Bengali culture and is commonly completed throughout the festive season, especially at some point during the Bengali New Year. The dance is characterized by complex footwork and hand gestures synchronized with the track. The performers wore traditional apparel, including a purple-bordered white saree embellished with bangles and necklaces.

Brita dance is more than just a form of enjoyment; it is an essential part of West Bengal’s cultural identity and serves to retain the place’s historical past. Through the performance of Brita dance, younger generations are added to the customs and traditions of their ancestors, ensuring that the lifestyle is preserved with time.

West Bengal has a diverse cultural panorama, and Brita dance is one instance of the kingdom’s numerous art bureaucracy. Brita dance has helped to form the identification of West Bengal and make it a huge contributor to India’s cultural background.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folk dance</span> Dance that reflects the life of the people of a certain region

A folk dance is a dance that reflects the life of the people of a certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances. For example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "religious dances" because of their purpose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of India</span> Overview of music traditions in India

Owing to India's vastness and diversity, Indian music encompasses numerous genres in multiple varieties and forms which include classical music, folk, rock, and pop. It has a history spanning several millennia and developed over several geo-locations spanning the sub-continent. Music in India began as an integral part of socio-religious life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance in India</span> Classical to folk dance arts of India

Dance in India comprises numerous styles of dances, generally classified as classical or folk. As with other aspects of Indian culture, different forms of dances originated in different parts of India, developed according to the local traditions and also imbibed elements from other parts of the country.

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

Indian folk music is diverse because of India's enormous cultural diversity. It is sung in various languages and dialects throughout the length and breadth of this vast nation and exported to different parts of the world owing to migration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Kerala</span> Culture and traditions of Kerala

The culture of Kerala has developed over the past millennia, influences from other parts of India and abroad. It is defined by its antiquity and the organic continuity sustained by the Malayali people. Modern Kerala society took shape owing to migrations from different parts of India and abroad throughout Classical Antiquity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghoomar</span> Traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, India and southern Asia

Ghoomar or ghumar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan. It was the Bhil tribe who performed it to worship Goddess Saraswati which was later embraced by other Rajasthani communities. The dance is chiefly performed by veiled women who wear flowing dresses called ghaghara. The dance typically involves performers pirouetting while moving in and out of a wide circle. The word ghoomna describes the twirling movement of the dancers and is the basis of the word ghoomar.

There are many different dances of the Tripuri people, the largest ethnic group in the state of Tripura.

Punjabi dances are an array of folk and religious dances of the Punjabi people indigenous to the Punjab region, straddling the border of India and Pakistan. The style of Punjabi dances ranges from very high energy to slow and reserved, and there are specific styles for men and women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalbelia</span> Dance from Rajasthan, India

The Kalbelia are a snake charming tribe from the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. The dance is an integral part of their culture and performed by men and women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puli Kali</span> Recreational folk art from the state of Kerala

Puli kali is a recreational folk art from the state of Kerala, India. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam, an annual harvest festival, celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Kerala. On the fourth day of Onam celebrations, performers painted like tigers and leopards in bright yellow, red, and black shake their bellies and dance to the beats of instruments like Udukku and Thakil. Literal meaning of Pulikkali is 'The tiger dance' hence the performance revolve around the theme of tiger hunting. Folk art is mainly practiced in Thrissur district of Kerala. The best place to watch the show is at Thrissur on the fourth day of Onam, where Pulikkali troupes from all over the district assemble to display their skills. The festival attracts thousands of people to the Thrissur city. Pulikkali is also performed during various other festive seasons.

Kummi is a folk dance, popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India, danced mostly by South Indian women in circle. Dancing may be different. In some places, it is very simple, with rhythmic clapping or beating of the drums. In other places dancers imitate various harvesting activities. Kummi often accompany by songs, called "Kummi songs". It is often danced during festivals. It is also danced by Tamils of Sri Lanka. Kummi songs became a popular addition to kuthiyottam festivities in modern times.

Tamil Nadu has a rich history of art and entertainment. The three modes of entertainment classified as Iyel (Literature), Isai (Music) and Nadagam (Drama) had their roots in the rural folk theatre like Theru Koothu. Many forms of group and individual dances with the classical forms for popularity and sheer entertainment value. Some of the dance forms are performed by Tribal people. The majority of these dances are still thriving in Tamil Nadu today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunil Kothari</span> Indian academic (1933–2020)

Sunil Kothari was a noted Indian dance historian, scholar and critic. He was also former Uday Shankar Professor at Ravindra Bharti University, Kolkata.

Several folk dance forms evolved in different regions of Odisha, Odissi and Chhau being some popular forms. Sambalpuri dance is most popular dance of western Odisha and is enjoyed by many.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhangra (dance)</span> Several types of dance originating from the Punjab region

Bhangra is a type of traditional folk dance of Punjab, originating in the Sialkot area of Punjab, Pakistan. It is done in the season of harvesting. According to Manuel (2001), bhangra is especially associated with the vernal Vaisakhi festival.

Yamunabai Waikar, née Yamunabai Vikram Jawle was an Indian folk artist, known for her expertise in the Marathi folk traditions of Lavani and Tamasha, folk art forms involving music and dance and reported to be one of the leading exponents of the art genres. A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, she was honored by the Government of India, in 2012, with the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri.

Sonam Tshering Lepcha was an Indian folk musician, composer and lyricist. He was the first among Lepcha people to air his voice on All India Radio and was credited with the revival of Lepcha culture, one of the indigenous cultures of the Indian state of Sikkim. He was reported to be credited with over 400 folk songs, 102 folk dances and 10 dance dramas. He died on 30 July, 2020 due to cardiac arrest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manjamma Jogathi</span> Indian Kannada theatre actress, dancer, activist

Manjamma Jogathi, is an Indian theatre actress, singer and dancer of Jogathi Nritya, a folk dance form of North Karnataka. In 2019, she became the first transgender woman to be the president of Karnataka Janapada Academy, state's top institution for folk arts. In January 2021, Government of India announced Padma Shri award for her contribution to the field of folk arts.

Ram Sahay Panday is a Rai dancer from Sagar in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. The Rai dance was traditionally associated with the Bedia community which itself was associated with flesh trade. In spite of the fact that he was not a member of the community, he devoted his whole life to the practice and performance of the Rai dance and to secure acceptance and respectability to the dance form. His untiring efforts helped obtain national and international recognition to this dance form.

References

  1. "music and Dance - Egiye Bangla". wb.gov.in. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  2. "Folk Dances of East India". www.culturalindia.net. Retrieved 2020-10-25.