The popular ghoomar is the characteristic dance of the Bhils although it is especially associated with the royal ladies of Jaipur, who perform it on certain auspicious occasions. The reason for that might be that the Bhils and the Jaipur royalty have been close for centuries. the Ghoomer dance is a trademark women's dance performed by the women themselves who dance elegantly in circles. Then, there is the Chari dance which is renowned for the fact that dancers dance with a pot on ones head and a lighted diya is then placed on top of the pot. This particular dance requires great skill. There is also the Kachi Ghodi wherein dummy horses are designed and gorgeously dressed men who holds swords in their hands dance in rhythmic unison. The story goes that the Bhils were an indomitable war-like tribal race. Apparently they made a nuisance of themselves by making areas controlled by them dangerous for Jaipur’s traders and people. When the Kachhwahas tried to discipline them, they simply faded away in their impregnable hills. Realizing the futility of this exercise, the Kachhwahas sued for peace. The Bhils were exempted from paying tribute - no big deal since they were not about to pay it anyway! to the Kachhwahas and were accepted as friends of the royalty. |
