Folk Dances of Haryana | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Ghumar Dance

• Religious inspiration can serve as a source of motivation for some dancers, who may call upon the blessings of gods and elements for their community's endeavors. While the Ghumar dance is traditionally associated with Rajasthan, it is also popular in certain regions of Haryana such as Laharu, Dadri, Hissar, and Bhiwani that border Rajasthan. 
• The dance is typically performed by female devotees as they make their way to the temple, carrying brass plates of offerings and singing devotional songs. It is usually performed during Diwali, the festival of lights, Holi, the festival of spring, or during the local Gangor Puja ceremony. 
• The dance begins with the girls forming a circle while holding brass plates and singing, and as the musicians begin to play, they put their offerings aside and start dancing gracefully with raised arms to simple beats. As the dance progresses, the tempo picks up and the dancers' movements become more frenzied, building up to a thrilling climax.

Ras Leela

• This dance is a form of devotion to Lord Krishna, who is regarded as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna once praised the Gopis, or the maids of Braj, as being the finest examples of humanity. 
• The dance is very popular in the Braja area of Faridabad district, and involves the maids dancing in a circular fashion around an idol of Lord Krishna with spiritual fervor. 
• The dancers' movements are so precise and in sync that the sound of their anklets, bangles, and bells create a beautiful tinkling melody. The dancers' bodies sway with complete ecstasy as they perform this devotional dance in honor of Lord Krishna.

Phag Dance or Phalgun Dance

• The Phag or Phalgun dance is a celebratory dance performed by agricultural communities in Haryana during the months of February and March. This time period falls between the sowing and harvesting seasons, leaving some leisure time for the farmers. 
• The dance is a way of expressing joy and happiness for a successful harvest. Men wear their most colorful and impressive turbans, while women adorn traditional, colorful costumes. The dance is performed in the Dhamal style of Haryana, which incorporates both song and dance. Different songs are used for male and female performers.

Loor Folk Dances of Haryana

• Loor is a popular dance in Haryana that is typically performed during the Holi festival and is particularly well-loved in the Bangar and Bagar regions of the state. In the Dadri area, the term "Loor" refers to a girl. 
• This dance is exclusively performed by female dancers, who stand facing each other in two rows, forming a semi-circle. The dance is initiated by one group singing a song about a situation where a daughter has been born to one family while a son is born to the other. 
• The song revolves around the proposal to marry the two children. The dancers continue to dance and discuss the proposal for a while until it is finally accepted. The next topic is about the gifts that will be given by the boy's family to the girl at the time of the wedding.

Daph Folk Dances of Haryana

• The Daph dance is another seasonal dance that celebrates the harvest and spring. It portrays the happiness and excitement of the farmers. 
• People from all walks of life in the village, both men and women, take part in this dance, but separately. Traditional musical instruments such as flutes, lutes, and beens are used to provide the melody for the dance. 
• The daph, an ancient instrument, is also used in this dance. The songs that are sung during the dance are perfectly suited for the occasion, and the sound of the women's jewelry adds to the overall musical experience.

Gugga Folk Dances of Haryana

• The deity Gugga Pir is known by various names such as Guru Gugga, Zahir Pir, and Bagarwalla. People worship Gugga in many parts of Haryana and devotees can also be found in the neighboring states of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. 
• Gugga Pir was born in Dadreva village in Bikaner (Rajasthan) on Bhadon Naumi, a day celebrated as Gugga Naumi throughout northern India. According to Colonel Tod, Gugga Pir belonged to the Chauhan Rajput community and his name was Bachraj.
• Legend has it that Gugga Pir was married to Kumari Sirial, daughter of Raja Sanjha of Kamrup. He is worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims. 
• Prior to Gugga Naumi, his devotees conduct a procession with a bhagat leading the way, carrying Gugga Kichhari, which is a long bamboo stick adorned with fans, garlands, flowers, and colorful pieces of cloth. 
• The main dancers of the procession are five bhagats who carry their own musical instruments, including Dholak, Manjiras, Deru (a small side drum), Chimta, and Cymbals. The bhagats sing a song in praise of Gugga during the procession.

Khoria Folk Dances of Haryana

• The Khoria dance is a type of Jhumar dance that is only performed by women and is highly favored in specific regions of central Haryana. During the dance, the female performers wear skirts adorned with shiny gold embroidery and colorful chunries. 
• One of the dancers starts the performance by singing a traditional song, which is then followed by the rest of the dancers forming a circle. 
• The pace of the dance gradually increases, and some of the dancers break off from the circle to sway their bodies. The dance is connected to the routine lives and harvests of the local inhabitants.

Holi Folk Dances of Haryana

• The Holi dance, a popular springtime dance, is performed during the Holi festival in Faridabad, Pulwal and Ballabhgarh. It is performed by both men and women and has various formations and styles, including the free style variety. 
• Musical instruments such as Chimta, Khartal, Jhajh, Dhol, Thalis, and the anklets worn by the dancers, contribute to the beautiful rhythm of the dance. The mood during the performance of this dance is light-hearted and joyful.

Gangor Puja Folk Dances of Haryana

• The Gangor Puja dance is a traditional dance performed during the months of Phalgun and Chaitra to worship Iswar (Lord Shiva) and Gangor (Goddess Parvati) and to pray for a prosperous harvest in the following year. 
• This dance is particularly famous in the regions near the border of Rajasthan. Women, wearing colorful dresses and jewelry and carrying brass jars on their heads, dance in a circular pattern for hours. 
• The dance steps change according to the rhythm of the music, and it is essential to keep a smiling face throughout the performance. Sometimes, the dance transforms into a Kirtan, which is a devotional song or hymn dedicated to the deities.