• Read about the significance and how of the Ghoomar dance form, see videos at end and author contacts if you wish to learn Ghoomar. 

Any art that we look around is an expression of our feelings. Dancing too is an art and feelings are expressed in the form of various moves and expressions. If you pick up any folk dance or folk music of any region, it has its own charm. It speaks about the culture of that place, their traditions and about their geographical conditions as well. The costumes that are worn for performing the folk dance indirectly communicates the traditions related to that region. Isn’t it interesting to note that our culture communicated so much through non - verbal communication?

In 2013, an online travel advisory survey ranked ‘Ghoomar’ 4^th among world’s top ten local dances. Hula, Hawaii, United States was ranked 1^st in this survey. This was the only folk dance ranked in top 10 from India.

Coming from the Rajput community of Rajasthan, I have grown up watching ‘Ghoomar’ at our various festivals, personal celebrations or for that matter weddings. ‘Ghoomar’ is synonym to expression of happiness. It is also interesting to note that we have never been trained for our folk dances. The trend of learning folk dances has now evolved with time but naturally it is imbibed in our genes or in our memory. We learn by watching it since childhood, by our mothers, aunts or elder sisters.

The term ‘Ghoomar’ means twirling movement with the swirling ‘Lehanga’ (Long flaired skirt). This doesn’t necessarily mean that this dance is supposed to be done in a group or more than one woman. This can either be performed solo or in a group. The term ‘Ghoomar’ refers to the movement of the long flaired skirt as more the number of flairs, more is the swirling movement.

The dance is visually soothing to the eyes, the delicate moves increases the charm of the elegant dance. You have to be flexible while performing this dance. One cannot be stiff and perform this dance.

When women perform this dance at their in-laws’ place, they put a ‘Ghoonghat’ and perform. The colorful Rajputi poshak, (costume) worn for the dance adds on to the beauty of it. The dance majorly comprises of the swaying hands movement and the tapping of the foot. ‘Ghunghroos’ are worn that provides magical sound effect while the women taps their feet.

Performance at a wedding. 

The dance is performed on the folk songs sung by the folk musicians and not on the pre- recorded music. The authenticity lies in the live folk musicians singing and the woman performing ‘Ghoomar’. Again, with time now women do perform on recorded music as well.

Old records of Marwar state at the Maharaja Man Singh Pustak Prakash and Research Centre, Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur mentions that the royal functions, festivals, weddings or any celebrations of the ruler of Marwar were always celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. ‘Ghoomar’ used to be an integral part of the celebration and it was performed in the ‘Zenana’ (Ladies) wing. Royal women celebrated the occasion by expressing happiness through dance. 

‘Ghoomar’ is an emotion that is why even till date it is performed on various occasions. One very special ritual is the bride’s first dance at her In-laws’ place where all the relatives witness it. It is said that she is considered as ‘Lakshmi’ and her dance is supposed to bring prosperity at In-laws’ house. 

Culturally, musical instruments like ‘Dhol’ also plays an important role. That is the reason, at the beginning of a wedding a ritual is to welcome the ‘Dhol’ by performing its pooja. This shows the amount of respect paid to the musical instrument that is used for the celebration. When the wedding rituals are completed, the tradition is to thank the folk musicians by giving gifts.

Some of the ghoomar songs are -

Mehla Neeche Saa...Laga Do Hariya Bagh.. , 

Gorband Nakhralo..,

Ghoomar Ramva Meh Jasya...,

Mahre Heevde Ro Haar...,

Lal Peeli Ankhiyan...,

Sagar Paani Bharva Jaunsa...,

Jhir Mir Barse Megh..,

Mehandi and many others

Ghoomar Dance Workshop organised by INTACH at Mehrangarh Fort

Practice session in progress at INTACH Jodhpur workshop.

If you are interested in knowing more about it or learning this dance form, please feel free to write to me at Kalpana.champawat@gmail.com

Read more about Ghoomar

Author works with The Mehrangarh Museum Trust. Pics 1 and 2 are by author. Pics 3 and 4 credits INTACH Jodhpur chapter.

To see performance videos

1. Khyati Foundation (4.42 minutes)

2. Two short videos (1 minute and .49 minutes)

Also 

1. Read about Teej Festival

2. Pics of Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur

3. Pics of People of Marwar

4. Jodhpur RIFF – Folk Festival

5. Making Rao Jodha Rock Park, Jodhpur and Contribution of miners, the Khandwaliyas

6. The Best of Marwar in 10 days