Gaur Dance
Gaur dance is a popular folk dance of Madhya Pradesh dances. Gaur dance
is popular in the Sing Marias or Tallaguda Marias of South Bastar. Men
put head-dresses with stringed 'cowries' and plumes of peacock feathers
and make their way to the dancing ground. Women ornamented with brass
fillets and bead necklaces with their tattooed bodies also join the
gathering. The men beat the drums, tossing the horns and feathers of
their head-gears to the rising tempo that gives the dance a wilder
touch.
Muria Dances
The Muria tribals of North Bastar area are trained in all types of
their community dances. At the start of dance sequences they begin with
an invocation to the phallic deity of their tribe and the founder of the
Ghotul institution. The site chosen for the dance is near the Ghotul
compound. During marriages, the Muria boys and girls perform Har Endanna
dance. Their Hulki dance is the most beautiful of all the dances while
the Karsana dance is performed for fun and enjoyment. In the Hulki
dance, boys move in a circular fashion while the girls make their way
through them.
Saila Dance
Saila dance is performed by the young boys of Chattisgarh during the
post harvest time. Saila is a stick-dance and is popular among the
people of Sarguja, Chhindwara and Betul districts. In this region the
Saila dance is also known as Danda Nach or Dandar Pate. Saila dance
comprises over half a dozen varieties The Saila dance often comes out
with many variations and much buffoonery. Sometimes the dancers form a
circle, each standing on one leg and supporting himself by holding on to
the man in front. Then they all hop together round and round.
Karma Dance
The Karma dance is very popular among the Gonds and the Baigas of
Chhattisgarh and the Oraons of Madhya Pradesh. The Karma dance is
associated with the fertility cult and is related to the Karma festival
that falls in the month of August. The Karma dance symbolizes coming of
green branches in tress during the spring season. There are other
variants of the Karma. The songs associated with these variants differ
with each pattern.
Kaksar Dance
Kaksar dance is performed during the festival period. It is popular
among the Abhujmarias of Bastar. Kaksar dance is performed in hope of
reaping a rich harvest. To invoke the blessings of the deity, young boys
and girls perform Kaksar (a group dance). Boys put on a peculiar costume
of a long white robe while girls are clad in all their finery. The
Kaksar dance presents a unique opportunity to boys and girls to choose
their life partners.
