Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir, Culture of Jammu and Kashmir

Folk Dances  of J&K

Culture of Jammu and Kashmir

Wuegi-Nachun

This dance form is generally performed after all the rituals of wedding when the bride is about to leave her parental home. Kashmiri Pundit females gather around bridal rangoli and dances.

Bhand Jashan

Bhand Jashan is a very soothing dance with very light music and performed in traditional style by ten to fifteen dancers.

Hafiza Dance

It is a dance that is performed at weddings and is a form of Kashmiri traditional dance. There is a special instrument used in this dance known as Santoor that contains almost hundred strings and is played with the help of sticks.

 

Bachha Nagma

This yet another dance form is generally performed at cultural gatherings or special functions like weddings and is only and only performed by boys. It consists of six to seven members maximum and there is no external singer one of the dancers is the lead singer. The dresses worn by dancers somewhat resemble to those worn by Kathak dancers.  In some parts this dance form is also known by the name ‘Bachha Gyavaun

 

Bhand Pather

It is a form of Theatre dance performed in Kashmir. This dance form does not only include dance but also include plays between dances that captivates the audience. It shows the normal lives, traditions and evils prevailing in the society.

 

Rouf Dance

Rouf  is a  famous traditional dance form which is found in Kashmir region.  This dance form is practiced on festive occasions like Eid and Ramzan days are going.  It is performed by group of women standing face to face to each other but the most notable feature of this dance form is the footwork of the dancers. One of the most known dance form in all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir is ‘Rouf'.  It is a dance performed on set of spring season and has always been an integral part of kashmiri people since a very long time.

 

Dumhal Dance

Of all the dance forms the most famous Dance forms practiced in Kashmir is ‘Dumhal’. Dancers performing this dance are dressed up wearing vibrant colored robes and conical caps. only males of Wattal can perform this dance. There is a special ritual manner in which dancers have to dance and a banner is dig into the ground and dance generally takes off with group of men dancing around this banner. Dancers sing in a melodious voice in chorus and they are joined by drum beats

Kud Dance

One of the famous dance forms of the state is Kud dance. It is performed to honor the gods ‘Lok Devtas’. Unlike other dance forms in Kud dance young people as well old people participate equally that makes it more interesting. Some special Musical instruments are used in dance like Chhaina, Drums, Narsingha and flute. It is mostly performed during rainy season.  farmers and villagers who work as farmers want to oblige god the local deity ‘Gramdevta’ for protecting their cattle’s, maize crops, children’s and family. it is performed most parts of Jammu.

Hikat

Hikat, danced by women, is a modification of a game played by children. Forming pairs, the participants extend their arms to the front gripping each other's wrists and with the body inclined back, go round and round at the same spot.

Mandjas

Is Another dance form performed in Jammu and kashmir.