Music and Dance in Bihar | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Music and Dance in Bihar

Bihar is renowned for its distinct and beautiful culture. Music, dance, and village folk traditions in Bihar are closely intertwined with significant life events such as birth, marriage, and death.

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Folk Dances of Bihar

Folk dances hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Bihar, especially in rural areas where they are a primary source of entertainment. These dances are performed during festivals, special occasions, and various rituals. Over the centuries, numerous traditional dance forms have emerged in Bihar, most of which are of religious significance. These dances are a way to invoke Gods and Goddesses, accompanied by the rhythm of folk songs and music. Here are some of the popular folk dances of Bihar:

Bideshiya Dance

• The Bideshiya Dance is the most famous folk dance in Bihar, originating in the 20th century. It is also considered a form of theatre. In this dance, male actor-dancers portray female roles. 
• Bhikari Thakur, a key figure in this dance theatre, is often referred to as the Kalidas of Bihar. He used this platform to address social issues such as the disparities between the rich and the poor, the upper and lower classes, the upper and lower castes, and the urban and rural populations.

Kathghorwa Dance

• The Kathghorwa Dance is quite popular, especially during marriage ceremonies. In this dance, a horse made of wood and painted in various colors is used. 
• The dancer ties down this wooden horse and performs in an engaging manner, accompanied by musical instruments.

Folk Dances of Bihar

• Bihar, known for its rich cultural heritage, is home to a variety of traditional folk dances, each with its unique significance and style. 
• These dances are often performed during festivals, weddings, and other auspicious occasions, showcasing the vibrant spirit and traditions of the region.

Pawadia Dance

• Pawadia Dance is a traditional performance by male members during the birth of a child. 
• Dressed in female attire, they use instruments like dhol and manjira to create music.

Dhobia Dance

• The Dhobia Dance is a group dance performed by the Dhobi community during marriage ceremonies, particularly in Bhojpur district. 
• Dancers sing songs and dance to the rhythm of musical instruments.

Vidyapati Dance

• Vidyapati Dance is popular in the Purnia and Mithila regions, where dancers sing poems by Poet Vidyapati in a melodic form while performing a dance.

Jogira Dance

• Jogira Dance is a lively dance performed in rural areas during the festival of Holi. 
• Young boys and girls dance to the beats of drums, celebrating the arrival of spring.

Kariya Jhumar Dance

• The Kariya Jhumar Dance is performed by ladies, especially during auspicious occasions like marriage ceremonies. 
• Women form a circle, holding hands, and dance together. This dance is particularly popular in the Mithila region.

Jat-Jatin Dance

• Jat-Jatin Dance is performed by ladies during the months of Shravan to Kartik, usually in moonlight. Unmarried girls divide into two groups, representing the groom’s and bride’s sides, and enact scenes from a marriage and married life. 
• This dance reflects rural life and is especially popular in the Mayurbhanj region.

Launda Dance

• The Launda Dance is performed by boys dressed in colorful female attire, mainly during marriage ceremonies. 
• This dance playfully teases the audience and encourages them to give money and other offerings. It is particularly popular in Bhojpur and surrounding areas.

Karma Dance

• Karma Dance is a traditional dance among tribal communities, performed during sowing and harvesting seasons. It pays tribute to the Karma tree, a symbol of fertility in Bihar. 
• Both men and women participate in this circular dance, accompanied by drums, cymbals, flutes, and turhi.

Jhumari Dance

• The Jhumari Dance is performed by married women, similar to the Garba of Gujarat. It takes place after the month of Ashwin, in Kartik, when the weather is pleasant. 
• This dance signifies good fortune and marks the seasonal change, primarily celebrated in Mithila.

Kajari Dance

• Kajari Dance combines singing and dancing, marking the start of the rainy season in Shravan. 
• The songs celebrate the rains, the lush green surroundings, and the relief from the summer heat.

Jhi Jhian Dance

• Jhi Jhian Dance is a ritualistic performance conducted during dry spells to invoke Lord Indra, the god of rain. 
• Women participate in this dance, which includes a lead singer, a harmonium player, and a dholak player, seeking blessings for rain.

Other Folk Dances

Some of the other folk dances of Bihar are as follows:

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Folk Songs of Bihar

The folk songs of Bihar are very popular. They are sung on all important occasions, festivals and show the rich cultural tradition of Bihar. They are handed down verbally from one generation to the other. Some Ragas are special to Bihar and these are Nachari, Phag, Chaita, Purbi, Lagani, etc. In ancient times, Vaishali and Rajgir were the places famous for dance and music.

The folk songs of Bihar are divided into various categories.

Ragas

The following ragas are sung on special occasions in Bihar:

• The Nachari Raga is used to sing prayers of Lord Shiva. The songs were created by famous poet Vidyapati. They are very popular in Bihar.
• In Mithila region, songs in Lagani Raga are sung on the occasion of marriage. These songs are penned by Vidyapati.
• Songs in Chaita Raga are sung on the occasion of Holi as the festival is followed by the month of Chaitra. It is popular in Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas.
• Songs in Phag Raga are sung in the Phalgun month during the celebration of Holi festival. It is very popular in Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, East and West Champaran.
• Purbi Raga is popular in Saran district. The songs in this raga expresses the pain of wives when they are away from their husbands.

Sanskar Geet

These songs are sung on special occasions like birth, marriage, mundan, kohbar, beti-vidai, gauna, etc. These songs are as follows:

• Sohar It is sung on the occasion of birth of a son. In Magadh and Bhojpur it is accompanied with Pavaria dance. In Bhojpuri dialect, Sohar means feeling good. It has different names in different regions like Somar, Sohla, Sohilo or Sogar.
• Domkach It is sung during marriage by the females of the groom’s family.
• Samdaoni It is called Samdaoni in Mithila, Samdavan in Bhojpur and Samdan in Magadh. It is sung on the occasion when the girl goes to her husband’s house after marriage.

Folk Songs in Bihar

• Folk songs in Bihar are an essential part of the state's cultural heritage. They are passed down through generations and reflect the traditions, beliefs, and everyday life of the people.
• These songs are typically sung during various occasions, festivals, and seasons, and they often convey stories, emotions, and social messages.

Characteristics of Folk Songs

• Folk songs in Bihar are usually sung in local dialects, making them accessible and relatable to the people.
• They are often accompanied by traditional musical instruments like dholak, harmonium, and flute, adding to the rhythmic and melodic charm.
• The themes of these songs range from love and romance to social issues, agricultural activities, and religious sentiments.
• Folk songs play a crucial role in preserving the oral history and cultural identity of Bihar, as they carry forward the stories and values of the community.

Types of Folk Songs in Bihar

• Wedding Songs: Sung during marriage ceremonies, these songs celebrate love and union.
• Festival Songs: These are specific to various festivals celebrated in Bihar, such as Chhath, Teej, and Holi.
• Seasonal Songs: These songs mark the changing seasons and are often related to agricultural activities.
• Occupational Songs: These are sung while performing specific jobs, especially in agriculture, and reflect the daily life of the people.