Sunday, March 25, 2018

Folk dance of Assam

Just finished the Assam part of our twenty day North East tour of India and what stands out in that leg was the cultural program that we attended on the second day. 



What I found good about it was its rustic touch keeping all the original folk dances as it is. 



No keyboards or electronic trappings but sticking to the original instruments of peti (Harmonium) tabla, flute and cymbals. 


There was even a scene where the girls remove one of their hair adornment and use it to produce music by blowing on it. 



I remember this being used as part of the musical score in the old Hindi songs especially by S D Burman.     
All the performers kept a smiling face and there was lot of energy enthused when they performed.  



This girl performed a solo dance with some classical dance moves. 



The famous bamboo dance was performed last and all were in awe at the ease with which the girls hopped in between those fast moving bamboos. I listed it first in the 14 minute video that I made. 

  
The harvest dance was very peppy and it was nice to see the guys jumping around with their axe and sickle. 




This boy on the flute was multitalented and sang some of Bhupen Hazarika songs.


During the introductory song, Prasenjit Duarah showed us the use of all the different forms of the drums. 


Throughout the program these five boys provided the music with perfection. 


The tribal dance was done by a different set of girls who joined in the chorus singing. 


The audience were also invited to join in, and they did a good job once they got the rhythm of it. 


The thali dance had me really baffled as I kept wondering how the thali did not fall off. 


Some of the audience showed their appreciation by speaking a few words after the program. 



All in all it was a good and entertaining program and my suggestion is that it is something one should not miss if you are in Kaziranga.
Next blog: The animals of Kaziranga 


15 comments:

Christine said...

How beautiful, thanks for sharing!

Theresa Mathew said...

Bihu is folk dance of Assam
Yes Madhumati pic has this bamboo dance, I think.
Enjoyed ur blog.

Sharmila said...

Wow! A 20 days tour of the North East?! Please make some detailed posts on it Joe ... would love it.

Patsy Irene (Chillin' with Patsy) said...

Thank you for sharing the dances of Assam. I love their gorgeous costumes,very vivid colours. Makes me smile.
A few years ago, quite a few, my husband and I visited a Turkish friend in South Carolina and took us to see a traditional Turkish dance. It was the Whirling Dervish and I've never seen any dance like that. We loved it!

Anonymous said...

Good morning Joe.
Thanks for sending me the beautiful video and information about our eastern side of India.
Have a nice day - Neelkamal Ghosh

A Cuban In London said...

Gorgeous! :-) Love the photos.

Greetings from London.

RO said...

These outfits are simply amazing and colorful, and I need to be doing all that wonderful dancing every day. Thanks for sharing such lovely pictures! Hugs...RO

Mary Kirkland said...

I love what they're wearing, it's so colorful. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.

KParthasarathi said...

Excellent.Although I had been to Assam many times,I regret after seeing your post I did not attend a dance programme.I wish such dances from different parts of India are shown in the national TV in a predetermined slot.

New Release Books said...

Beautiful photos and so awesome that you actually saw it all!

orvokki said...

Awesome photos of this beautiful folk dance.
Hugs

Abhijit said...

HI Joe
I have been reading all the blogs and you were sending meticulously the links for them. Thanks for that.
Your blogs are very informative and entertaining at times like this one. I really appreciate this.
Hope you are doing fine. Keep on creating such blogs so that people like us will benefit .
All the best
Regards
Abhijit Athawale

Unknown said...

That's my awesome Assam, check out NetGeo Sarah Todd's travel blog.

Cheers!
Abhi

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Indianetzone said...

India is a country full of diversity and it is endowed with various talents. In India, various dances are famous in various states.Assam is one of the best popular folk dance state.