Dances of Bihar: Importance and Forms

Bihar Art and Culture

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Introduction :-

Over thousands of years various traditional dance forms have evolved in Bihar. The folk dance tradition in Bihar can be divided into three groups. First, the dance performed during poetry performance. The second stream is those of the tribal people who are closer to mother earth and their dances are heavily influenced by indigenous development. The third stream relates to the other regions of south Bihar. Most of the folk dances are religious in nature, in which, gods and goddesses are invoked through dance, performed to the rhythm of folk songs and music.

Folk dances are one of the most interesting aspects of Bihar’s culture. Most of the folk dances reflect common life, people’s sorrows, accomplishments, and problems. On important social gatherings, these dances are performed in group with musical instruments like table, dholak and harmonium accompanying the singer.

Needless to say, Bihar has a very rich tradition of dancing in its pristine quality. The need of the hour is to protect such dance forms from the influences of urbanisation so that even in ages to come, people can still remember.

Dances :-

Bidesia :- Bidesia is the most popular folk dance of Bihar people. The dance is said to have originated in the 20th century. It is a folk theatre form that is prevalent in the Bhojpuri-speaking regions of Bihar. Bhikari Thakur is believed to be the father of this dance style. He raised conflicting issues prevailing in society. Conflicting trends between rich and poor, upper class and lower class, upper caste and lower caste, urban and poor dwellers etc were his themes. He used dance as a form to put his views onto ground and among people.
Biraha songs combined with dance become an effective medium. Bidesia is a dance version of Biraha songs. Biraha songs are portrayal of pain of the women who are left alone behind by their men, away from home. Males play the roles of female in Bidesiya dance and for the purpose; they wear artificial long hair and dhoti. Despite the fact that many new modes of entertainment has come up, Bidesia still has its charm amongst Biharis.
Paika :- Another popular dance form of Bihar is Paika. The dance reminds us of infantry and its agility, courage, and excitement. The dance is popular particularly in the Mayurbhanj region. A flat ground is essential for its performance. This dance displays the skills & the ability of the dancers to handle these weapons. The dance reaches its climax with the fast beats produced by `Mandal`. Performers wear colorful turbans and tight dhotis and stand in two rows. Holding the wooden swords and shields in their hands, warriors engage in a fierce mock combat.
Jhijhian :- Jhijhian dance is another dance style popular in Bihar. This is a ritualistic dance performed during no-rain time and aims at making the God of rain happy. The dance is accompanied by a song which is full of prayers to Lord Indra, the rain God. The participants of the dance include a lead singer, harmonium player, a flute player, and a dholak player. This is woman only dance show.Jhijhia depicts a band of young belles adoring and offering.Rain plays crucial role in agriculture. When there is a total drought and there is not even a single drop of water anywhere, the lands are cracked and parched, the sky is lifeless without clouds and the people are awaiting rains-this is the time when the village women pray to lord Indra for rain. They sing and dance to please the Lord of Rain with their deep devotion. Such type of dance and singing is called jhijhia.
Kajari Dance :- Kajari songs are basically sung during monsoon season. The dance form called Kajari Dance accompanies these songs. The dance starts in the month of ‘Shravan’ or the starting of the monsoon season every year and lasts for the entire duration of rain. These songs describe how wonderful earth has become due to rain and how happy and pleasant people are. These songs, combined with dance, are showcase of rich culture and tradition of Bihar.
Jat-Jatin Dance :- Theme of the Jat-Jatin dance of Bihar explains the story of the lovers Jat-Jatin, who were separated and living in difficult situations The Jata-Jatin dance has for its theme songs invoking rains. It is also known as Yakaha Nirtya and mostly is in accompaniment to the songs. The steps are lively and vigorous with delicate bodily movements, four steps forward and an equal number back. It being a dance only for girls, they fall into two groups, one Jata and the other Jatin. The dance starts with an invocation to Yakasha and a prayer for rains. The rhythm is kept to six, seven or eight beats i.e., Dadra, Teevta and Kerwa, Foot patterns are not very intricate but the movements of the limbs are graceful and soothing.
Sohar-Khilouna Dance :- Sohar, having its own distinctive diction, is a ceremonial dance to celebrate the pleasure of new birth in a family. It is celebrated all over the country with different traditional rituals. Sohar is sung in Bihar on the occasion of birth of a child. While singing, ladies praise the child with Lord Rama, sometimes with Lord Krishna and with many other gods. This is a very important function, where all women gather and enjoy. The ladies bless the baby while singing and acting the tender words of Sohar ‘Marchia baithal sasu pucheli’. –employed as a single unit, as his language. This body language is extremely poetic and powerful. The legs form an effective means of communicating the expression. Although the face is covered by the mask it mysteriously expresses the feelings to be communicated.
Fagua :- Holi is a festival of colours celebrated all over the country. People celebrate it on the first day of the Hindu Calendar, that is Pratham Chairtra Mass’ (February-March). The well known festival Holi conveys the message for religious integration apart from any sort of bigotism. In Bihar, a typical style ‘Dhamar of holi song is sung in which the villagers celebrate it in a form of group with full joy and dance with musical instruments like dholak, Jhal-manjeera, etc. This dance is related to the mythical story of Bhakt Prahlad and his demon father Hiranyakshipu