Music and Dance in Bihar

The rich tradition of folk dances and songs in Bihar holds an important place in the cultural heritage of the state. Folk dances serve not only as a medium of entertainment but also as rituals deeply rooted in religion and social customs. Over thousands of years, these dances have evolved into unique forms, each with its own significance, connected to festivals, occasions, and rituals.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understanding various traditional folk dances of Bihar.
2. Familiarity with the role of music and dance in rural rituals and ceremonies.
3. Insights into the evolution of folk theatre and dramatic performances in Bihar.

Folk Dances of Bihar

Folk dances are a major form of entertainment in rural Bihar and are deeply connected to the state’s traditions. Most of these dances are religious in nature, involving the invocation of gods and goddesses through rhythmic performances, often accompanied by folk songs.

1. Bideshiya Dance: The most popular folk dance of Bihar, originating in the 20th century. Bhikhari Thakur, known as the “Kalidas of Bihar,” pioneered this dance form. Through this dance, the societal conflicts between the rich and the poor, the upper and lower classes, and urban-rural divides are addressed. Notably, male actors perform female roles in this theatrical dance form.
2. Kathghorwa Dance: A popular dance at marriage ceremonies, involving a wooden horse painted in various colors, which is worn by the dancer and performed in a highly entertaining manner with musical instruments.
3. Pawadia Dance: Primarily performed by men during the birth of a child, with male performers dressed as women. Instruments like dhol and manjira are used.
4. Dhobia Dance: A group dance from the Bhojpur district, performed at marriage ceremonies by the Dhobi community, featuring songs and musical accompaniment.
5. Vidyapati Dance: Performed in the Mithila region, this dance incorporates singing of Vidyapati’s poems, which celebrate love, devotion, and spirituality.
6. Jogira Dance: A popular rural dance performed during the festival of Holi, where boys and girls dance to the beats of drums in celebration of the spring season.
7. Kariya Jhumar Dance: Performed by women during auspicious occasions like marriage ceremonies, with ladies dancing in a circle while holding hands, mainly in the Mithila region.
8. Jat-Jatin Dance: A moonlight dance performed by women from Shravan to Kartik. It reflects the rural life in Bihar through a dramatic depiction of marriage and household scenes.
9. Launda Dance: Boys dressed in women’s attire perform this dance during marriages, teasing the guests and compelling them to give gifts, especially popular in the Bhojpur region.
10. Karma Dance: A tribal dance associated with sowing and harvesting, performed to pay homage to the Karma tree, a symbol of fertility. Both men and women participate in this circular dance accompanied by drums, cymbals, and flutes.

Important Concept: The Karma tree holds significance in fertility rituals, with its name deriving from the mythological tale of Karma Devta.

Folk Songs of Bihar

Folk songs, like folk dances, form an essential part of Bihar’s cultural expression. These songs are handed down from one generation to another, reflecting the social, religious, and emotional aspects of life. Many of these songs are classified into different categories based on their thematic content.

1. Ragas: Several ragas are associated with specific festivals and occasions in Bihar:

• Nachari Raga: Sung in praise of Lord Shiva, especially in the Mithila region. These songs, created by poet Vidyapati, are deeply spiritual.
• Lagani Raga: Sung at weddings, particularly in the Mithila region.
• Chaita Raga: Performed during Holi and popular in districts like Patna and Bhojpur.
• Phag Raga: Celebrated in the Phalgun month, this raga is intrinsic to Holi festivals across regions like Saran and Vaishali.

1. Sanskar Geet: These songs are sung during specific life events such as birth, marriage, and other rites of passage:

• Sohar: Sung on the occasion of the birth of a son, with different regional variations.
• Domkach: Performed during weddings by women from the groom’s side.

1. Ballad Songs: Ballads celebrate historical heroes and tell the tales of bravery, valor, and love:

• Lorikayan Song: Celebrates the legendary Ahir hero Lorik, depicting his bravery.
• Vijaymal Geet: Sings of King Vijaymal, who heroically freed his family from captivity.
• Dhudli Ghatma: A folk tale of revenge, where the protagonist, Dhudli, avenges his father’s death.

1. Festival Songs: Various songs are sung to celebrate festivals like Chhath, Teej, and Diwali, which are integral to Bihari culture.

Seasonal and Occupational Songs

Seasonal songs reflect the changing landscape of Bihar, particularly focusing on agriculture, which is the backbone of rural life.

1. Ropnigeet: A work song sung during the sowing of paddy seeds, marking the beginning of the agricultural season.
2. Katnigeet: Celebrates the harvest, honoring the farmers’ labor and the symbol of prosperity that the harvest represents.
3. Sumangali Songs: Associated with weddings, these songs are a medium through which women express their concerns and joys within a patriarchal society.
4. Pachra: Sung to Seetala Mata, the goddess of smallpox, these songs are believed to cure and protect against illnesses.

Note: The tradition of folk songs in Bihar also served as a method of oral storytelling, passing on history, morals, and religious values.

Folk Theatre in Bihar

Folk dramas in Bihar combine dance, music, and verse, offering a visual depiction of everyday life as well as stories from epics and mythology.

1. Domkach: Originating in the Mithila region, this mimicry-based drama was initially performed by housemaids but is now enjoyed by all social classes. The drama involves humorous scenes and satire.
2. Bhakuli-Banka: Similar to Jat-Jatin, this theatre form runs from Shravan to Kartik and portrays rural life through vivid dramatization.
3. Kirtaniya: This devotional theatre is dedicated to Sri Krishna, showcasing Krishna Leela, with actors narrating stories through song and dance.
4. Sama Chakeva: Organized in Kartik month, this is a dance form that revolves around the protection of migratory birds and nature, performed mainly by unmarried girls.

Important Concept: The use of nature in the Sama Chakeva folk theatre symbolizes the deep connection between Bihar’s rural communities and their environment.

Dramatists and Playwrights of Bihar

Bihar boasts a rich legacy of dramatists and playwrights, contributing to the cultural and theatrical heritage of India.

1. Satish Anand: A pioneer of modern theatre in Bihar, Anand established Kala Sangam in 1962, staging numerous famous plays and introducing street theatre in Bihar in 1975.
2. Prominent Dramatists: Some noteworthy dramatists include Anil Mukherjee, Lalit Kumar Singh, and Ajit Ganguly, who have contributed extensively to the development of modern theatre in the state.

Folk Theatre Groups

Numerous theatre groups have flourished across Bihar, contributing to the spread of folk and modern theatre.

Directorate of Cultural Affairs

The Directorate of Cultural Affairs was constituted in 1986 to preserve and promote the art and culture of Bihar across different zones. Its objectives include:

1. Promoting research and study in fields like music, dance, drama, and painting.
2. Encouraging artists and organizations to achieve artistic excellence.
3. Supporting theatre centers for children and rural communities.
4. Promoting the revival of vanishing art forms through competitions, prizes, and other initiatives.

The Directorate has set up two primary academies: Bihar Sangeet Natak Academy and Bihar Lalit Kala Academy, both of which play a key role in organizing cultural festivals and exhibitions.

Important Note: The Directorate also manages grant schemes and artist aid funds to support the development of arts and culture in Bihar.

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MCQ: Which traditional dance form from Bihar is performed by boys dressed as women during marriage ceremonies?

Answer: Launda Dance.